|
NAME |
CHEMICAL FORMULA |
PROPERTIES |
USES |
| Polyethylene (PE) |
- CH2 - CH2 - |
Thermoplastic, translucent as a film, flexible,
permeable to hydrocarbons, alcohols and gases, resistant to X-rays
and chemical substances. |
Films, bags, hoses and tubes, insulating sleeves,
stoppers, covers, packaging, toys. |
| Polypropylene (PP) |
CH3 | - CH2 - CH - |
Thermoplastic, low density, high rigidity, resistant
to X-rays, very slightly permeable to water, resistant to high
temperatures (<135 °C) and impacts. |
Household goods, packaging, moulded bodywork, batteries,
bumpers, garden furniture, syringes, vials, implants. |
| Polystyrene (PS) |
C6H5 | - CH2 - CH - |
Thermoplastic, transparent as a film, non-toxic
if swallowed, optical and electrical properties, easily coloured,
resistant to X-rays, oils and greases. |
Packaging, kitchen utensils, optical diffusers,
furniture coatings, thermal insulation, toys, office accessories,
disposable razors. |
| Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) |
Cl | - CH2 - CH - |
Thermoplastic, flexible or rigid, opaque or transparent,
self-extinguishing, resistant to X-rays, acids, alkalis, oils,
greases and alcohols. |
Household goods, packaging, insulation for electrical
wiring, water pipes, flooring materials, folding shutters and
doors, luggage, fancy leather, sports and camping goods, chemical
and automotive industries. |
| Polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE (Teflon) |
- CF2 - CF2 - |
Chemically inert, non-stick, impermeable to water
and greases, excellence heat and corrosion resistance. |
Orthopaedic implants, hearing aids, seals, gaskets,
mechanical parts in corrosive environments, electrical insulation,
non-stick frying pan coatings. |
| Polycarbonate, PC (Lexan, Vivak or Makrolon) |
-C6H4O-C(CH3)2-C6H4COO- |
Thermoplastic, hard and amorphous, impact-resistant,
resistant to inorganic acids, most vegetable and animal greases,
alcohols (except methanol), but not to alkaline liquors, amines,
ammonia, acetone, benzene. |
Casings for home appliances, unbreakable crockery,
machinery guards, optical equipment, bottles and vials, indoor
glazing, street furniture, packaging for food products. |
| Polyethyleneterephthalate, PET (Veralite) |
-CH2-CH2-COO-C6H4COO- |
Thermoplastic, fine transparency, impact resistant,
easy to drill, file, saws and cut, resistant to gamma radiation
and numerous organic chemicals but not to solvents. |
Safety guards, indoor glazing, traffic signs, food
moulds, hygiene protection, orthopaedic equipment. |
| Polyvinylidenefluoride, PVDF (Erta) |
-CF2-CH2 |
Excellent resistance to temperature, traction,
UV and atmospheric pollution, very low friction coefficient,
high chemical resistance. |
Feed chutes and hoppers in the food industry. Lubrication-free
mechanical parts in corrosive environments (bearings, bushes),
pipes, reactor vessel linings. |
| Polymethylmethacrylate, PMMA (Plexiglass, Altuglass) |
CH3 | - CH2 - C - | OCOCH3 |
Thermoplastic, transparent, excellent optical properties,
good ageing characteristics and weather resistance. |
Replacement for glass, illuminated signs, canopies,
viewing ports, show cases, optical fibres, dental supplies, implants,
contact lenses. |
| Polyamides, PA (Nylon) |
Example: - NH - (CH2)a - CO - where a is a positive
integer |
Thermoplastic, excellent mechanical properties,
temperature resistance (<100°C), resistance to X-rays,
fuels, impermeable to odours and gases. |
Packaging for food products, mechanisms in water,
gas and electricity meters, fuel pipes, ski boots and bindings,
bicycle saddles. |
| Silicones |
R | - O - Si - | R Examples: R = CH3 or C6H5 |
Fluid, lubricant, anti-adherent, weakly toxic. |
Fluids for electrical transformers, sealants, complex
mouldings, non-stick coatings, varnishes, waxes, burn treatments,
cosmetic surgery. |
| Urea-formaldehyde resin |
|
Thermosetting, easy to form |
Organic glassware, crockery |
| Polyesters |
- R - C - O - R' - O - C - R - || || O O where
R and R' are two atomic groups |
Thermosetting, transparent, mechanical properties
at high temperature, electrical properties, impact resistant,
easy to use. |
Fabrics, packaging, bottles, switches, connectors
and fuses for high voltage circuits, implants. |
| Phenolic plastics |
|
Thermosetting, extremely hard. |
Use in layers: Bakelite, setting varnishes. |