Plastics and their uses High Density Polythene Low Density Polythene Polyvinyl Chloride Polystyrene Nylon Cellulose Acetate Acrylic Polypropylene ABS Epoxy Resin Melamine Formaldehyde Polyester Resin Glass Reinforced Plastic Carbon Fibre Plastics Elastomers

All Plastics fall within two groups Thermoplastics Thermosetting Plastics High Density Polythene Low Density Polythene Polyvinyl Chloride Polystyrene Polypropylene Nylon ABS Cellulose Acetate Acrylic Elastomers Epoxy Resin Polyester Resin Glass Reinforced Plastic Carbon Fibre Plastics Melamine Formaldehyde

High Density Polythene Back High Density Polythene HDPE is used for Buckets, Basins, Bottles, Containers and is extensively used in both Blow Moulding and Injection Moulding processes Properties: Tough, Feels Waxy, Resistant to chemicals.

Low Density Polythene Back Most LDPE application is film based. Industry uses also include wire and cable coating, injection and Blowmolding. is used for Plastic bags, Bottles Properties: Soft, Flexible good electrical insulator.

Polyvinyl Chloride Back PVC is used for Gutters, Window frames & Drainpipes. It is often used in the Extrusion process. Properties: Rigid, Weather resistant.

Back Polystyrene Polystyrene is used extensively in the packaging industry. It is also used to insulate buildings Properties: Soft, Lightweight, Good insulator

Back Nylon Nylon is used for Gear wheels, Bearings, Curtain rails packaging, film, clothing, Properties: Hard, tough, rigid. Self-lubricating. Resistant to petrochemicals.

Cellulose Acetate Back Cellulose Acetate is one of the older plastics and is used for film making & Packaging Properties: Hard, tough, flexible

Back Acrylic Acrylic is used for Baths, Signs, Lighting, Windows (Perspex) display stands Properties: Stiff, Hard, Brittle, Scratches easily

Back Polypropylene Polypropylene is one of the more flexible plastics and is used for Plastic hinges, Crates, Rope & Yarn Properties: Rigid, Good fatigue resistance, Good chemical resistance

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Back Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ABS is used extensively for injection molding, Typical products would be Car bumpers, Kitchen ware, Cases, helmets etc Properties: Strong and Tough. Impact resistant, Scratch resistant, Chemical resistant. Comes in a wide range of colours.

Back Epoxy Resin Epoxy Resin is generally used as an adhesive of as a liquid for casting Properties: Strong (when reinforced), Clear

Melamine Formaldehyde Back Melamine Formaldehyde Melamine Formaldehyde commonly known as Formica is a composite material made from resin and layers of paper, Commonly used for kitchen worktops Properties: Clarity, Stability to heat, light, chemicals, abrasion and fire

Back Polyester Resin Polyester Resin is primarily used with Glassfiber to form GRP however it can be used on its own for casting and embedding Properties: Brittle, Clear

Glass Reinforced Plastic Back Glass Reinforced Plastic Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) is a composite material made from Resin and Glass fiber sheet. This combination produces a lightweight yet extremely strong material and is used everywhere from Speed boat hulls to aircraft Properties: Very Strong, Lightweight

Carbon Fibre Plastics Back Carbon Fibre Plastics have an extremely strong strength to weight ratio and are often used for Sports Car bodywork, High end cycles, fishing rods etc Properties: Very Strong, Lightweight, flexible

Back Elastomers Elastomers are plastics with elastic properties, most ate capable of considerable deformation and will return to their original shape. Uses range from waterproof seals to foam padding Properties: Flexible, Waterproof

The End