Plastic Notes

Thermoplastics can be moulded, melted and recycled.

Thermosetting plastics can be moulded but cannot be re moulded because the polymer chains are interlinked.

Polymers
- Good electrical and thermal insulators.
- Good strength to weight ratio.
- Generally good resistance to atmospheric and chemical erosion.
- Low melting point - lower cost.
- Light weight.
- Wide range of colours and transparency.
- Two main categories - Thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics.

ABS - Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene 
CA - Cellulose Acelate
Nylon - Polymaide
PMMA - Polymethymeth Acrylate - Acrylic
PP - Polypropylene
Hips - High impact polystyrene
PS - Polystyrene
LDPE - Low density polyethylene
uPVC - Polyvynil chloride
PVC - (unplasticised flexible) Polyvynil chloride
PET - Polyethylene terephthalate
PC -Polycarbonate

Thermoset Polymers 
Epoxy resins - Surface coatings, encapsulation of electronic components adhesives.
Melanime foraldehyde - Tableware, decorative laminates
Polyester resins - Castings used in GRP
Urea formaldehyde - Electrical fittings adhesives.