Major Families of Plastics & Their Properties

1. Name of Elastomer?

Elastomer Material: Butyl Rubber

Synthetic
Resembling natural rubber in properties
Resistant to abrasion, Tearing
Low Gas permeability*
Useful properties up to 1500 C
Low dielectric constant & Loss making
them attractive for electrical applications
*Butyl Tubes in Mopeds?

Applications of Butyl Rubber

Car Tyres
Seals
Belts
Anti-vibration Mounts
Electrical insulation
Tubing
Rubber Lining for Pipes
Pumps

Butyl Tubes in Mopeds?

2. Locate the
Elastomer?

Elastomer Material: EVA = Ethylene Vinyl Acetate

Soft, Flexible & Tough

Retain properties up to -60deg C
Blends with PE because of chemical similarity
Available in pastel / deep hues
Good clarity & Gloss

Elastomer Material: EVA

Good barrier properties
UV Resistant
FDA approved for direct Food contact
Resistant Vs Stress-cracking & Chemicals
Processed by most thermoplastic processes like
Blow molding, Rotational Molding, Injection
Molding & Transfer Molding

Applications of EVA
Medical Tubes
Milk Packaging
Beer Dispensing Equipment
Bags
Shrink Film
Deep Freeze bags

Applications of EVA
Co-extruded & laminated Film
Ice Trays
Gaskets
Gloves
Cable Insulation
Inflatable Parts
Running Shoes

3. Identify the Elastomer?

Elastomer Material: Isoprene / Polyisoprene

Synthetic Natural Rubber
Processed in the same way as natural rubber
Low hysteresis
High Tear Resistance
Bouncy & Tough

Elastomer Material:
Isoprene / Polyisoprene Application:
Car Tyres
Inner Tubes
Belts
Anti-vibration Mounts
Electrical Insulation
Rubber Linings,
Shoes
Grips

4. Identify the Elastomer

Elastomer Material: Natural Rubber:

Known to natives of Peru many centuries ago
Malaysia's main export
Giles Macintosh devised in 1825 rubber coated waterproof coat bearing his name
Latex the sap of rubber tree is cross-linked by heating
with sulphur(Vulcanization)
Most widely used of all elastomers
>50% of all produced elastomers

16

Natural Rubber Application:

Gloves
Car Tyres
Anti-vibration Mounts
Seals
Belts
Electric insulation
Rubber lining pipes
Medical equipment

Which came first Pneumatic Tyre

or
Vulcanization?

Charles Goodyear

John Boyd Dunlop

Scottish veterinarian

The vulcanization
process

Inventor of pneumatic
or inflatable tyre

Discovered by US
inventor in 1839

His patent was for a

bicycle tire, granted in
1888

Patented in 1844

5. Identify the Elastomer used

as a wet-suit, flexible &
stretchable?

Elastomer Material: Poly-Chloroprene (Neoprene, CR)

First commercial synthetic rubber in (1931 USA)
Chlorinated Hydrocarbon(Hypalon) & Chlorinated
Polyethylene Elastomers are leading non-tire
Elastomers

Elastomer Material:
PolyChloroprene
(Neoprene) Application:
Brake Seals
Diaphragms
Hoses
O-Rings
Footwear
Skin-tight & stretchy wet-suits

Hypalon?
Brake?

6. Identify the Elastomer?

Please write whether PU is an Elastomer or

Thermoset Plastic or Thermoplastic-plastic?

Elastomer Material: PU
Soft, Stretchy material & fabric
Available in all grades of
thermoplastic, elastomers & thermoset
materials
Easily foamed with a blowing agent
Open cell / closed cell, microcellular, Filter grades with varying
Hardnesses
Strongest of elastomers

Application of PU:
Cushions
Packaging
Shoe soles
Fuel hoses
Gears
Bearings
Car Bumpers
Adhesives
Fabric coating

26

7. Next Elastomer Material

Used in :
Wire & cable insulation
Mold release Agent
Material for flexible molds
Lens Cleaning Agent
Seals, Gaskets, O-Rings
Encapsulation & potting of electronic circuitry
Surgical Equipment
Baby Bottle Nipples ( Boiling?) , Breast Implants

What could be this material?

27

Silicone Elastomer:
High Performance
High Cost
Temperature Range : Up to 300 deg C

Silicone Elastomer Application:

Long-life Gasket for Pressure cooker

Swimming Goggles resisting Bleaches &
chemicals
Elongation %?

Silicone Rubber has an Elongation of 400%.

If the Gauge-Length was 100mm, then please
write down the elongated length before Breakage

Thermoplastics
Guess & write the total Number of Plastics
commercially available

15 in Alphabetical Order

1. Guess what could be this

Plastic

Acrylonitrile Butadiene
Styrene (ABS)
Tough, Resilient & Easily
Molded
Can be given vivid colors
ABS-PVC Alloy > ABS
Weather resistant
Can be painted
Applications?

Acrylonitrile Butadiene
Styrene (ABS)

Scooty Panels?

Tough, Resilient, Easily

Molded
Can be given vivid colors
ABS-PVC Alloy > ABS
INTRODUCTION TO PLASTICS
PART 2

37

Applications of ABS:
ABS-PVC in Power Tool Casings
Safety Helmets
Car Interior components Business
machines
Wheel Covers
Boat Hulls
Weather Seals
FDA Approved?
INTRODUCTION TO PLASTICS
PART 2

38

2. Guess what could be this Plastic Hand Grip

made of
Bio-degradable?
Transparent, Tough, Natural Surface
Texture

Cellulose Polymers (CA)

These natural fibres are treated with acids to
produce a resin (Esterification* )(Polyester)
*Esters = Derivatives of acids obtained by exchange of
hydrogen for alkyl radicals; Having fruity smell, used in
artificial fruit essences

Cellulose Polymers (CA)

Cellulose is Starch, Main structural Polymers in
plants (wood & cotton)
CA, CAB (Cellulose Acetate Butyrate) & CAP
(Cellulose Acetate Propionate) are 3 common
cellulose materials

Cellulose Polymers (CA)

Some are bio-degradable (used in
envelopes with transparent windows-Use &
throw!)
Combines toughness, Transparency &
natural surface texture. Hence used as
Knobs & Handles
Commercial Name : Perspex

Applications of CA:
Tool & Cutlery Handles
Illuminated Signs
Decorative Trim for cars
Drawing Stencils
Pens

Applications of CA:
Blister packing
Laminating with Aluminium Foil
Spectacle Frame
Goggles
Cover for TV Screens
44

3. Identify the application & guess the

possible polymer material for such a use

Ionomer Material:

Introduced in 1964 by Du Pont having Ionic

cross-links & hence the name
Composition: Ethylene Copolymer containing
carbolic Acid groups
Flexible & Tough Thermoplastic

Ionomer Material:

Processed by Blow Molding, Injection Molding

& Thermoforming
Can be applied as coating
Characterized by high strength, Good Adhesion
& Chemical Stability
How are Golf balls made?

Applications:
Food Packaging
Athletic boot soles
Ski Boots
Ice Skate Shells
Wrestling Mats

49

Applications:
Thermal Pipe Insulation
License Plate Holders
Automotive Bumpers
Blister Packs for Food
Bottles

50

4. Please identify the application & guess

the name of the Polymer used
Write your answer

Polymer Material Nylon(PA):

Polyamide ( Long chain synthetic
polymeric amide capable of being formed
into filament with axial orientation of
structural elements
Trade Name Nylon (Genesis of Name?)
Can be drawn as fine as silk & was used as
a substitute! Can be easily colored
Nylon Fibre Ropes used extensively

Within the polyamides, commonly referred to as

Nylons, we distinguish different types. The
most important ones are: PA 6, PA 66, PA11 & PA
12.
Differences in physical properties which exist
between these types determined by the
composition & structure of their molecular
chains.

53

Nylon 6 : Offers an optimal combination of

mechanical strength, stiffness, toughness, mechanical
damping properties and wear resistance, favorable
electrical insulating ability & good chemical
resistance make it "general purpose" grade for
mechanical construction and maintenance.
Nylon 66 :With higher mechanical strength, stiffness,
heat and wear resistance than Nylon 6; has a better
creep resistance but its impact strength and
mechanical damping ability are reduced. Well suited
for machining on automatic lathes.
54

Polyamide (Nylon) Applications:

Light duty gears, sprockets & bearings
Electrical equipment housings
Lenses
Containers
Tubing
Reinforcement for car tyres

55

Polyamide (Nylon) Applications:

Ketchup bottles
Toothbrush bristles
Handles
Food packaging
Hot-melt adhesives for book-binding
With GFR as bearings, Gears, Load bearing parts

56

Polyamide (Nylon) Applications:

Fishing line
Carpeting
Stockings
Air filtration Bags & electrical insulation
Used for tough casings, Frames & Handles

5.Please identify the application & guess

the name of the Polymer used
Clue (Bullet-Proofness)
Write your answer

Material :Polycarbonate (PC)

Engineering Thermoplastic meaning better mechanical
properties than cheaper commodity plastics
(Engineering Thermoplastic Group:PA,PTFE,PC)
Characterized by Optical transparency (Benzene ring &
OCOO carbonate group combine in pure PC to give unique
combination of transparency, good toughness, impact
resistance & rigidity even at relatively high temperatures)

Material :Polycarbonate (PC)

GFR-PC Alloy > PC wrt mechanical properties
To enhance the properties still further PC molecules can
be copolymerised with other monomers to improve Flame
Retardency, Refractive index, Resistance to
softening

Applications of PC:
Ideal for Compact Disc
Safety Hard Hats
Housings for Power Tools
Toughness & Impact Resistance make it ideal for Safety
Shields
Hard hats & Helmets

61

Applications of PC:

Scooty Experience?
Transparent Roofing (ISKCON & Glass House)
Lenses
Laminated Sheet for Bullet-proof Glazing
Kitchen, Table & Microwave Cookware
Sterilizable Medical components

6. A very tough engineering

Application indeed
What can be this Polymer?
Please write down your
answer

Material : PEEK *
*Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone is a
high performance engineering
Thermoplastic, characterized by
High Stiffness, Strength &
Resistance to heat

Actuator unit for an

electrically operated
Handbrake molded
from PEEK

Gives lighter, quieter unit than

could be achieved with Metals

64

Material : PEEK
Price of PEEK >> 50
times of PP / 10-20 times
of Nylon
Application limited to
high end technical cases

Which country is the leader in PEEK production?

Applications of PEEK
Electrical Connectors
Hot water meters
F1 Engine components
Valve, Bushings & Bearing components
Wire & cable coatings
Film & Filament for specialized applications like
pump wear rings
Electrical Housings

7. Please identify the name of the Polymer, which

is extensively used in containers & packaging
Write your answer

Polyethylene (PE)

First synthesized in 1933

Looks like the simplest of molecules, but the number of
ways in which CH2 units can be linked is large

Polyethylene (PE)

PE is inert & extremely resistant to salt water,

food & most water based solutions
It is the first of Polyolefins, the bulk thermoplastic
polymers that account for a dominant fraction of all
polymer consumption

Polyethylene (PE)

PE is cheap, easy to mold & fabricate

Accepts a wide range of colors
Can be transparent, translucent or opaque
Has a pleasant, slightly waxy feel
Can be texturized
Difficult to print on / (Painting?)

Applications of PE
Oil Container
Milk Bottles
Beer Crate
Shrink wrap
Squeeze Tubes
Disposable Clothing
Household Appliance (Chopping Board)

Applications of PE
Plastic Bags
Paper coatings
Cable Insulation
Low cost ropes
Packing Tape reinforcement

8. Please identify the name of the Polymer

Clue : ID # for Recycling 1
Write your answer

Material Polyester (PE):

Polyester Name = Polymerization +

Esterification
Is Polyester a Thermo-plastic or Thermo-set
plastic?

Material PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

They have good mechanical properties up to 175
deg C
PET is crystal clear, impervious to water & CO2,
but a little O2 gets through
Tough, strong, easy to shape, join & sterilize thus
allowing recycling
After I recycling, can be processed to fibres &
fleece for clothing & carpet

Material PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

Unsaturated Polyesters are thermosets
Saturated Polyesters are thermoplastics
Polyester Elastomers are resilient & stretch up to
45%
Good fatigue resistance & retain flexibility at low
temperatures

Applications of PET:
Drink containers both pressurized or
unpressurized
Carbonated Drink Containers
Electrical Fittings & Connectors
Photographic & X-Ray Film
Industrial strapping

Applications of PET
Blow Molded Bottles
Audio & Video tapes
Drawing Office Transparencies
Capacitor film & Decorative Film
Metallized Balloons , Windsurfing sails
Oven-proof cookware
Credit Cards

9. Please identify the name of the Polymer

Write your answer

Material:
Polymethyl-Methacrylate
(Acrylic, PMMA)

Thermoplastic that most closely resembles

Glass in transparency
Resistant to weathering
Discovered in 1872; First commercialized in
1933
First Major Application as cockpit canopies for
fighter aircraft during II WW

Application of Acrylic, PMMA :

Lenses of all types
Aircraft windows
Signs
Domestic Baths
Electrical components
Tool Handles

Application of Acrylic, PMMA :

Lenses of all types
Aircraft windows
Signs
Domestic Baths
Electrical components

Application of Acrylic, PMMA :

Tool Handles
Safety spectacles
Automotive Tail lights
Chairs
Contact lenses
Advertising signs

Source: Article The Intraocular Lens has revolutionized

Cataract Surgery. A Look at how it came about By
Dr.J.Agarwal
After WWII, many pilots had pieces of plastic from the
windshields of their bombers embedded in their eyes.
These pieces were inert & did not cause any reaction.
One visionary British Doctor Dr.Harold Ridley wondered
if these pieces could be shaped like a lens & inserted into
the eye after cataract surgery.
On Nov.24, 1949 he implanted the first IOL in a 45 year
old woman.

10. Please identify the name of the Polymer

Write your answer

Material: Poly-Oxy-Methylene (Poly-Acetal, POM)

POM marketed first in 1959 as Delrin by Du Pont

Similar to Nylon but stiffer & has better fatigue &
water resistance
Nylons have better impact & abrasion resistance

Material: Poly-Oxy-Methylene (Poly-Acetal, POM)

Used mostly with GFR, flame retardant additives or

blended with PTFE / PU (Tough)
Has good moldability, fatigue resistance & stiffness
to justify its high price vis-a-vis commodity polymers
like PE which are polymerized from cheaper raw
materials using lower energy inputs

Applications of POM (Poly-Acetal):

Limited to High performance applications due to
higher cost than commodity polymers
Has natural lubricity
Fuel systems
Seat belt components
Window support brackets & handles
Shower Heads

Applications of POM (Poly-Acetal):

Ball cocks
Quality Toys
Garden Sprayers
Stereo-cassette player Parts
Butane lighter body
Zippers
Telephone components

Applications of POM (Poly-Acetal):

Couplings
Pump Impellers,
Conveyor plates
Gears
Sprockets
Springs
Cams
Bushings

Applications of POM (Poly-Acetal):

Milk pumps
Filter Housings
Food Conveyors
TV Tuner arms
Automotive under-hood components
Clips
Watch Gears

11. Please identify the name of the Polymer

Write your answer

Material: Polypropylene (PP)

First produced commercially in 1958

Younger brother of PE, a very similar molecule
with a similar price, processing methods &
application
Produced in very large quantities (>30m tons in
2000)

Material: Polypropylene (PP)

Like PE its molecule lengths & side branches can

be tailored by clever catalysis giving precise control
of impact strength & properties influencing
molding & drawing
In its pure form PP is flammable & degrades in
Sun light
Fire retardants make it slow to burn

Material: Polypropylene (PP)

Stabilizers give it extreme stability against

UV radiation, fresh & salt water and most
aqueous solutions
Widely used for household items

Applications of PP
Ropes
Automobile Air-ducting
Parcel shelving & air cleaners
Garden Furniture
Washing machine Tank
Wet-cell Battery case
Pipe & Fittings

Applications of PP
Beer-Bottle Crates
Capacitor dielectrics
Cable Insulation
Kitchen Kettles
Car bumpers
Suit-cases
Artificial Turf
Thermal underwear

12. Please identify the name of the Polymer

Write your answer

Material Polystyrene (PS)

PS is water clear, easily

formed & cheap
Material of the Jewel
Case for CD
In its simplest form is
brittle

Material Polystyrene (PS)

Mechanical forms
dramatically improved
by blending with
Polybutadiene(PBD)
but with a loss of
optical transparency
HIPS(10%PBD) is
stronger even at low
temperatures (-12deg
C)

Applications of PS:
Toys
Light Diffusers
Beakers
Cutlery

Applications of PS:
Household appliances
Video-Audio Cassette case
Electronic Housings
Refrigerator Liners
Foam packaging

13. Please identify the application & the name of

the Polymer used in its construction
Write your answer

Material Polyurethane (PU)

PU wheels revolutionized skate board & roller skate
technology
tpPUR is a versatile material

Applications of tpPUR:
Cushioning &
Seating
Packaging
Running Shoe soles
Tyres
Wheels
Fuel Hoses
Gears

Applications of tpPUR:
Bearings
Car Bumpers
Adhesives
Transmission Belts
Diaphragms
Coatings that are resistant to dry-cleaning
Furniture
Thermal Insulation in Fridges & Freezers

14. Please identify the application & the name of

the Polymer used in its construction
Write your answer

Material PVC:

Boat Fenders application illustrate that PVC is

Tough
Weather resistant
Easy to form & color

Material PVC:

One of the cheapest, most versatile & with PE the most

widely used Polymer
Epitomizes their multi-faceted character
In its pure form tpPVC is rigid & not very tough

Applications of PVC

Incorporating plasticizers creates flexible PVC, elPVC a

material with leather / rubber like properties & used as a
substitute for both
With GFR gives a material that is sufficiently stiff, strong
& tough to be used for roof, flooring panels

Applications of PVC

Both rigid & flexible PVC can be foamed to give

lightweight structural panels, upholstery for cars
PVC + PAcetate = Gramophone record
Copolymer with Acrylic can be blow molded into bottles
Road signs
Cosmetic Packaging
Canoes

Applications of tpPVC
Garden Hose
Vinyl flooring
Windows & cladding
Vinyl records
Dolls
Applications of elPVC
Artificial leather,Wire insulation, Sheet

15. Please identify the application & the name of

the Polymer used in its construction
Write your answer

Material:
Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene PTFE

PTFE-Member of Fluoro-plastic family, which includes

Chloro-Tri-Fluoro-Ethylene CTFE or CFE, Poly-VinylFluoride PVF & Poly-Vinyl-Idene PVF2
PTFE has exceptionally low friction,is water repellent &
extremely stable
Commercialized in the late 1940s as TEFLON

Material:
Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene PTFE

Non-stick cooking utensils (Tefal = Teflon coated

Aluminium) exploit its chemical inertness, thermal
stability & non-wettability (Nothing sticks to it)
Is expensive
Used in high-value applications like Non-stick pans,
Gore Tex rain gear, artificial arteries

Applications of PTFE

Wire & Cable covers

High Quality Insulating Tape
Corrosion resistant lining for pipes & valves
Protective coatings
Seals & Gaskets

Applications of PTFE

Low friction bearings & Skis

Transparent roofing
Weather protection for ABS
Non-stick cooking products (pan & spatula)
Water repellent fabrics

Relationship between Mech.

Properties of Plastics &
Moldability
Mechanical
Properties
Low (PE, PP, PS)
High (PC, Alloyed
Grades..)

Moldability
High
Low

Processabilty:
PVC
Very good physical properties
Low in cost
Difficult to injection-mold
Narrow temperature range between its melting
and degradation points

Thermoset Plastics

Advantages for thermosets:

1.High thermal stability
2.Resistance to creep & deformation under load
3.High dimensional stability
4.High rigidity ,
5.High hardness
6.Light weight
7.Excellent electrical insulating properties
8.Low cost

1. Advantages for Thermosets:

1.High thermal stability
2.Resistance to creep
3.Light weight
4.Excellent electrical insulating properties
5.High dimensional stability
High rigidity
High hardness
6.Low cost
Any
Disadvantages?

Disadvantages of Thermosets:
1. Long Processing Time
2. Non-recyclability

1.Please identify the application & guess the name

of the Polymer used
Write your answer

MATERIAL : Epoxies

Epoxies are thermosetting polymers

Excellent mechanical electrical &
adhesive properties
Good resistance to heat & chemical
attack
Take on colors easily

Application of Epoxies

Mechanical components like Gears

Patterns
Used for adhesives(Araldite)
Surface coatings, as matrix resins when
filled with GFR in composites

Application of Epoxies

For bonding of dissimilar materials to high

strengths
For encapsulating electrical coils &
electronic components (HT Coil Potting..?)
For Tooling Fixtures for low volume
molding of thermoplastics

2.Please identify the application & guess the name

of the Polymer used
Write your answer

Material: Phenolics
Commercialized in 1909 triggering a revolution
in Product Design
Fairly strong
Can take colors to a certain extent
Quick & economical Replacement for Ivory
Stiff, chemically stable
Good electrical properties (Corona Discharge?)

Material: Phenolics
Fire resistant
Good Insulators
Resist Heat & chemical attack exceptionally well
Easy to mold
Low in cost

Applications of Phenolics
Electrical Parts like Switches, Sockets,
Connectors, Relays
General Industrial Applications
Water lubricated bearings
Brake Pistons
Micro-wave cookware

Applications of Phenolics
Handles
Coatings
Adhesives
Sandwich structures
Good choice for Distributor cap shown (Moped
Story?)

3.Please identify the application & guess the name

of the Polymer used
Write your answer

Material : polyester

Can be Thermoplastic or Thermoset or

Elastomers
Unsaturated Polyesters resins are
Thermosets
Most Thermoset Polyesters are used in GFR
Composites
Less stiff & less strong than epoxies but
considerably cheaper

Application of Polyester
Laminated Structures (Matrix for GFR deck
chair shown)
Furniture Products
Bowling Balls
Simulated Marble
Sewer pipe Gaskets

Application of Polyester
Pistol Grips
TV Tube implosion Barriers
Boats
Lamp Housings
Skylights

Thank You