PLASTICS
are mostly made of polymers which are long chains of molecules joined from smaller units
called monomers, or to be specific they are high polymer materials which can be molded into
various shapes by heat and pressure.
plastics can be naturally occurring ex. rubber from rubber tree and it can be chemically
manufactured.
it often contain additives which are important for improving the properties of plastics
most of plastics are made from the processing of chemicals but nowadays we also have those
plastics that are derived from biodegradable materials such as corn, cotton and even bacteria.
Compared to metals and ceramics, plastics usually have lower strength and melting points, but
they are lighter and resistant to many chemicals.
Plastics are generally categorized into three types:
CLASSES OF PLASTICS
thermoplastics, are a type of plastic that can be easily recycle. upon heating, these plastic melts
and can be mold in any shape we want, this process can be repeated multiple times without
changing the main chemical structure and properties of the polymer chain
the reshaping happens because thermoplastics are typically linear chain polymers and when it is
heated at high temp the polymers are free to slip around
thermoplastics can either be amorphous where the polymer chains are randomly arranged or a
crystalline where chains are organized in a more structured pattern
thermosets are a type of plastic that is difficult to recycle, because they are already heated
during the molding process and their structure has been set. since the setting is fixed and
irreversible it cannot be softened again. when it is reheated, it does not melt but it burns
instead or it change chemically
this happens because during molding process the polymer chains have its branches or it
undergo cross-linking reaction which gives the material a 3d structure and it becomes stronger
compared to thermoplastics but are also more brittle
elastomers are often called as rubber as it possesses elasticity that can extend more than 200
percent of their original form and still return to its original form. Their internal structure
remains the same upon stretching due to its polymer chains which consist of coil-like molecules.
but they can be either thermoplastics or lightly cross-linked thermosets, meaning they may
have weak links between their chains allowing for easy deformation and recovery.
COMPOUNDING
process of mixing a base plastic like polyester with other materials to improve properties or to
give special characteristics. why do compounding because pure plastic often doesn't have all
the qualities needed for specific applications
First additive is the
1. Resin –in cooking this is like the main ingredients, it serves as a glue because it holds all
the additives together and forms the base of the plastic
Second is
2. Fillers – are added to modify the plastics behavior
Examples are,
Fibrous filler – it can make the plastic harder to break
Asbestos – is for plastics to withstand high temp
Mica/slate powder – which improves how plastic handles electricity
Fiber reinforced plastic – gives the plastic extra strength and durability
Composites – mixture of two different materials
3. Plasticizers – are small molecules that go between the polymer chains so that it can slide
past each other more easily which makes the plastics more flexible, stretchy and soft
4. Waxes, oils, stearates and soaps – these are like lubricants, it makes the removal of
plastics from the mold easier, and for shiny and smooth surface and reduce defects on
the final products
5. Coloring materials are the dyes or pigments added which is for the appearance of the
plastics, which also prevents the plastic from fading or breaking in sunlight
IMPORTANT THERMOSETTING RESINS
phenolic resins – are one of the oldest types of synthetic plastics, they are man-made materials
formed through a chemical reaction between phenol and formaldehyde, they are known for
being hard, and resistant to heat and water, which are suitable for different applications
- It is rigid and it can maintain its shape even under heat
- They don’t easily break down in acidic except for strong alkalis like bleach
- They don’t allow electricity to pass through therefore they are used in electrical parts
- They can used as adhesives, can be molded as casing parts and it can also replace metals
or glass in products that do not need high strength
Epoxy resins – are best known as industrial adhesives, they stick well to diff materials, they
don’t react easily with acids, bases or solvents, they stay stable at high temperatures, it flexes
without breaking, and it has low shrinkage to keeps its shape perfectly as it hardens
Polyester – synthetic polymer, specifically a type of plastic, made from petroleum-derived
chemicals
are mainly used to make synthetic fibers which are commonly used in diff garments, and glass
reinforced plastics for polyester to become strong and lightweight, they have high tensile
strength which means they can handle being stretched without breaking, highly resistant to
wrinkles, which is why it's commonly used in permanent-press fabrics and are stable to
hydrolysis, meaning they won’t break easily even in the presence of water or moisture
