UNIT 3: PLASTICS

1.- INTRODUCTION:

Plastics play a big part in our daily lives. We use plastics in many economical and industrial
sectors, for example:

Agriculture
Medicine
Industry

They have taken the place of traditional materials like wood and metal in many products. It is
bad to waste plastic, as it is made from non-renewable resources and takes a very long time
to decay.

2.- ORIGIN AND TRANSFORMATION OF PLASTICS:

Plastics are made of Polymers which are obtained form

monomers ( low-molecular-weight ) by polymerization
reactions, in which large numbers of monomer molecules
are linked together.

In the image on the left a monomer: ethene ( C2H4) is

used to produce a Polimer ( poliethene).
The process by which we get a polymer is called polymerization. This process has three
stages:

 In the first stage, the monomer is split into two identical parts, each with an unpaired
electron ( or free electron ).
 Now we have a free radical ( a molecule with an unpaired electron ).
 The free radical( second line in the image ), forms a new bond with a "neighbour atom “

This process repeats over and over again to form large chains containing thousands of
carbon atoms.

3.- PROPERTIES OF PLASTICS

• They are relatively cheap.

• Most plastics are synthetics and are made from oil.
• Plastics are good insulators which makes them safe to use for casing electrical equipment
and for the covering on wires.
• They are waterproof.
• They are light.
• Most plastics can be made in different colours or can be clear.
• Plastics are non-corrosive and non-toxic
• They wash well
• They are not biodegradable and cannot be easily recycled.

4.- CLASSIFICATION OF PLASTICS:

THERMOPLASTIC:

Thermoplastics can be heated, moulded and shaped in various ways, lots of times.

Each time a thermoplastic is heated, it tries to return to the shape it first was, usually a flat
sheet. This is called plastic memory.

Some examples of thermoplastics:

- PVC ( polyvinyl chloride ): it is strong, waterproof and durable

 uses: tubes and pipes, gloves, shoe soles, hosepipes

- PS ( polystyrene ): it is transparent but it can be coloured

Uses: CD cases, egg boxes, coat hangers...

expanded PS: packaging, thermal and acoustic insulation

- PE ( polythene ):
 HDPE ( high density ) it is rigid and resistant. Uses: toys, domestic
utensils
 LDPE ( low density ) it is soft and light. Uses: bags, cups packing
film

THERMOSETTING

Thermosetting plastics are generally strong and resistant to heat, but they melt the first time
they are heated to a high enough temperature and harden (set) permanently when cooled.
They can never be melted or reshaped again.

- Examples of thermosetting:

-PUR ( polyurethane ) it is porous and flexible, Uses: sponges, insulation, glues

-Melamine: it is light but hard and resistant. Uses: electrical objects. Kitchen
surfaces...

 ELASTOMERS:

They are made by vulcanization: mixing sulphur and rubber and heating up to 160 ºC. They
are hard, resistant and very elastic

Examples of elastomers:

-Natural rubber: it is resistant . Uses: tyres, insulation

-Neoprene: waterproof. Uses: diving suits, hosepipes...

4. FABRICATION OF PLASTICS:
EXTRUSION:

Using this process it is possible to produce a wide range of different forms of plastic, such as
tubes, sheets and films, structural parts, etc.

1º Step: Plastic pellets are placed in a feed hopper

2º Step. A turning screw pushes the plastic into the barrel where heaters increase the
temperature and a melted polymer is obtained
3º Step. The melted plastic is forced through a shaping die.
4º Steep. Solidification by cooling

 INJECTION MOULDING

Plastics pellets flows, due to gravity, from the feed hopper onto a turning screw. It is converted
into a melted plastic by the action of heaters situated along the barrel. The screw moves the
molten plastic forward, forcing the plastic through a gate into the cooled mould. The mould is
opened once the plastic has solidified and the piece is pushed from the mould by automatic
ejector pins. After we get the manufactured piece, the mould is closed and clamped and the
process begins again.

Uses: domestic utensils such as buckets, bowl, containers,...

COMPRESSION MOULDING:

This is a similar process to extrusion. In compression moulding, plastics pellets, sometimes

called moulding powder, are placed in the feed hopper and pushed to the gate by the action
of the turning screw. It is heated and compressed while it passes through the barrel. After the
gate, the molten charge is quickly transferred to a press where it is moulded while still hot.
The part is removed after sufficient cooling

 VACUUM FORMING

Vacuum forming is a popular deforming process. Vacuum forming works by removing air,
thereby creating a partial vacuum underneath a soft and flexible thermoplastic sheet and
allowing atmospheric pressure to push the plastic down onto a mould.
Uses: egg boxes, bathtubs, dashboard...

 BLOW MOULDING

Plastic pellets are melted and the plastic is forced through a gate into the blow pin camera.
The plastic substance is expanded and cooled by being made to flow around a massive air
bubble. After a few seconds, the mould is opened and the manufactured product is ready.
Uses: Plastic grocery bags, bottles and similar items are made using this processing.
 Choose the correct answer

1. Plastics are:
a) Elastomers which form atoms.
b) The result of the polymerization of monomers.
c) Light and resistant to high temperatures.
d) Thermoplastics which melt at high temperatures.
2 Elastomers
a ) are polymers with the property of elasticity
b) are usually made of carbon, Nitrogen and elastine
c) PET belongs to elastomers

3. To make plastic, one can use:

a) Monomers, polyvinyl alcohol and pigments.
b) Monomers, ethanol alcohol and solvents.
c) By-products of oil, natural gas, or mainly carbon.
d) None of the above, as they come directly from nature.

4. Plastics are:
a) Good heat, electricity and sound conductors.
b) More resistant than metals, which is why they are used.
c) Contaminants, which is why they should not be burned.
d) Good heat, electricity and sound insulators.

5. Thermosetting plastics are those that:

a) Can be processed indefinitely.
b) If stretched, don't return to their original state.
c) Can only be processed once.
d) Hold heat well and don't melt.

6. Thermoplastics are those that:

a) Don't hold heat well and melt.
b) Can be processed indefinitely.
b) If stretched, don't return to their original state.
c) Can only be processed once.

7. Plastics that are recycled to make other plastics are:

a) Thermoplastics.
b) Thermosetting plastics.
c) Elastomers.
d) All of the above, but they are processed differently.

8. Thermoplastics:
a) Can be re-processed various times like Thermosetting plastics.
b) Are formed by macromolecules in a linear or complex way.
c) Are, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene and neoprene.
10. Cyanoacrylate glue/adhesive:
a) Is the only adhesive that can glue expanded polystyrene.
b) If used in excess, it will not stick.
c) Is used as a non-stick product in pans because it contains flour.

11. Polycarbonate:
a) It is a thermosetting plastic which is more resistant to breaking than glass.
b) Is a plastic with excellent chemical and optical properties. Therefore, it is used to make CDs and photographic
movies.
c) It is used as a non-stick product in pants because its contains flour.

12. The figure on the left is made from a very common plastic. What type of
plastic are we talking about?
13 -Plastics are often called good thermal conductors because they are
frequently used to store materials at very high temperatures.
a) That is why they are called thermal conductors
b) They are conductors until they change state
c) They are electrical conductors, but not thermal conductors

d) They are not thermal conductors, but they are electric conductors

14. Thermoplastics have a simple or complex macromolecular structure, which causes this type of plastic to
be:
a) good at holding heat
b) in general, good at adjusting to changes in temperature.
c) change shape due to heat.
d) once it solidifies, it cannot change shape

15. In the group of thermoplastics, one stands out as holding high temperatures. This plastic is called:
a) PET
b ) PVC
c) Polyvinyl
d) Teflon

16 A plastic used for decoration, sometime have the function of glass and belonging to the thermoplastic family
is called ..
a. PVC
b. methacrylate
c. Polypropylene
d. Polycarbonate

17. PVC is often used for windows and their insulation, with regard to thermal and acoustic insulation. It has a
bad reputation because:
a. The color changes with time
b. It doesn't hold well against direct sun light.
c. It's fragile.
d. Environmental problems due to additives like dust, Phthalate,
* Substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity

18 . Thermoplastics are made by a so-called "curing" process, which...

a. Uses pressure and heat during the formation process.
b. Uses temperature to eliminate toxins.
c. Increases pressure while creating the shape.
d. In its creation process, additives are used which alter the chemical make-up

20 . Elastomers are characterized because:

a. They consist of short chains, allowing for an ideal strength between structures and granting elasticity to this
compound.
b. Elasticnine are added, giving them their name.
c. They don't contain additives, meaning they are a very elastic substance.
d. Their molecules form long macromolecules.
e. Like all plastics, they hold heat well.

21. Swimsuits are made from a material called neoprene. Which group of plastics does neoprene belong to?
a. Natural rubber
b. Thermoplastics
c. Thermosetting
d. Elastomers

22. Plastic water bottles are made from which of the following processes?
a. Extrusion
b. Injection molding
c. Blow molding
d. Compression molding

23. In injection molding:

a. Liquid is passed through a funnel and pushed through an endless screw.
b. Liquid is injected by a nozzle
c. A lot of pressure is used for the right injection
d. It is the method used to create watering hoses.
e. Heating bands are used.

27. The image below represents:

a. Compression molding.
b. Blow molding.
c. Extrusion
d. Injection molding