1. Thermoforming polymers
Thermoforming polymers. Acrylic, HIPs, Biopol.

2. Polymers
Plastics are made from crude oil, which has environmental issues. Chemical engineers have developed different types of plastics with different properties.
There are two main types of plastic
THERMOFORMING Polymers
THERMOSETTING Polymers
THERMOFORMING Polmers
This is the most common type of polymer used as it can be reshaped when it is reheated. Heating makes it soft and pliable and it can be reheated as often as required. When it cools it sets.
The properties of this group can be changed by additives such as
Stabilisers, fillers and plasticisers.
Temperature changes can alter their properties loose strength, shape or become brittle
This type of plastic can be recycled

3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyF9MxlcItw
Water bottles into fabric
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

4. THERMOFORMING NAME CHEMICAL NAME PROPERTIES USE 1 PET
Polyethylene Terephthalate
Chemical resistant, transparent
soft drink bottles, polyester fabric
2 HDPE
High Density Polyethylene
Strong, Chemical resistant, easily coloured, good finish
Plastic bottles, buckets, pipes, milk bottles 3
PVC
Poly Vinyl Chloride
Chemical and weather resistant, flexible. UPVC tough lightweight sunlight resistant
Bottles for chemicals, flooring, plumbing pipes. UPVC window frames 2 3

5. THERMOFORMING NAME CHEMICAL NAME PROPERTIES USE 4 LDPE
Low Density Polyethylene
Tough flexible, chemical resistant, easily coloured, smooth finish
Plastic bags, soap bottles, plastic tubes 5 PP
Polypropylene
Lightweight, food safe, excellent chemical resistant, good conductor
Bumpers, car interior trim, kitchen ware, rope, syringes, margarine tubs 6 PS
Polystyrene
Light, hard good for vacuum forming. Expanded PS packaging. Can be toughened for strength
Toys, flower pots, video cassettes, ashtrays, coolers, carry-out food containers, Styrofoam 4 5 6

6. THERMOFORMING NAME CHEMICAL NAME PROPERTIES USE 7 HIPS High impact PS
Good stiffness and impact resistant, lightweight
Toys, refrigerator linings
PMMA Acrylic
Poly methyl meth acrylate
Tough, can be machined but is brittle, food safe
Shop signs, car parts, baths
NYLON
Polyamide
Hard, tough, resistant to wear. Low friction
Bearings, gears and clothing
ABS
Acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene
Tough flexible, chemical resistant, easily coloured, smooth finish
Kitchen products, mobile
Phone cases, safety helmets
Yellow highlighted are the polymers on the specification. These are the only ones here that they need to take notes on

7. THERMOFORMING Biopol is a brand name for PHB (Polyhydroxybutyrate).
It is an environmentally friendly, quality biodegradable plastic, produced through the fermentation of plant sugars and glucose, derived from sweet potatoes, pea starch, soya starch and vegetable oil.
Biopol is a biopolymer and is classified as a polyester and has similar properties to polypropylene (PP).
Bioplol is also on the specification
Biopol is compostable, degrading harmlessly in soil, after a few months.

8. THERMOFORMING
Biopol is a brand name for PHB (Polyhydroxybutyrate).
DISADVANTAGES
The main disadvantage, is that it more expensive to produce biopol than fossil fuel plastics.
Biopol has a low resistance to acids and bases, including bleach. This restricts its use as ‘plastic’ packaging.
Biopol does not resist impact as well as fossil fuel based plastics and cannot be used in situations such as containers, that could potentially be dropped or knocked.
The fermentation process is longer, when compared to plastics processed from fossil fuels such as oil.
Bioplol is also on the specification

9. Thermosetting polymers
polyester resin, urea formaldehyde and their properties, insulator of heat and electricity. Toughness.

10. THERMOSETTING POLYMERS
Soft and pliable on first heating but a chemical change happens on cooling and they become rigid, non-flexible and cannot be reheated and changed.
They are hard and resistant to chemicals, oils, solvents and heat.
The only way thermosetting plastic can be recycled is to chip it and use as a filler – it can not be reformed

11. THERMOSETTING POLYMERS
NAME
PROPERTIES
USE
Epoxy Resin
Chemical and wear resistant, adheres to many surfaces
Araldite glue, surface coatings
Melamine Formaldehyde
Rigid, good strength, good hardness, scratch and heat resistant
Laminates for work surfaces, tableware
Phenol Formaldehyde
Very good heat resistance, dark colour, hard and brittle
Saucepan handles, cheap electrical fittings

12. THERMOSETTING POLYMERS
NAME
PROPERTIES
USE
Urea Formaldehyde
Rigid, brittle, good strength, heat resistant and good electrical insulator. Tough.
Electrical fittings such as plugs, switches and adhesives
Polyester Resin
Good heat and chemical resistance, brittle and rigid
Boat hulls and car parts (used with glass fibre GRP) embedded objects
These are the only ones on the specification

13. THERMOFORMING Homework: Answer the following
Biopol is a brand name for PHB (Polyhydroxybutyrate).
Homework: Answer the following
What is Biopol
2. Describe the Biomass process in relation to Biopol. Use images to illustrate the process
3. Describe the practical applications of Biopol (where and what it is used for).
4. Compared to plastics derived from fossil fuels what are the disadvantages of Biopol.
5. Explain three reasons why a company that manufactures plastic bags for garden and food waste and would prefer to use Biopol as the material to manufacture with.
Bioplol is also on the specification

14. Polymer What is thermoforming plastic?
Name examples for thermoforming plastics, giving material names and products
What is Biopol?
How can plastics be modified to make them more environmentally friendly?
Bioplol is also on the specification

15. Polymer 5) What is thermosetting plastic?
6) Name examples for thermosetting plastics, giving material names and products
Bioplol is also on the specification

16. Thermoforming and Thermosetting Polymer
Task: To create a poster on Polymers that includes the following information;
Definition of Thermoforming and Thermosetting.
Examples such as; Acrylic, HIPS, Polyester Resin, Urea Formaldehyde
Common uses
Advantages and disadvantages.
Molecular structure of the each type.
Bioplol is also on the specification