The Most Important Types of Thermoplastics Part #2

The number of plastic materials is ever-increasing to accommodate market needs. Plastics have, in some way, dominated the modern world. This due to the fact that plastic can be used for about everything because of its different and adjustable features and properties. Nonetheless, almost 90% of the plastic products produced around the world are made from six main types of plastic materials, namely polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyurethane, and polyester. All are extremely useful, versatile, and utilized in major industries. 

Please click here to know more about polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, polystyrene

ISOTACTIC POLYPROPYLENE (PP)

Polypropylene (PP) accounts for 23% of the global consumption of plastics materials. It is one of the cheapest thermoplastics and the largest volume commodity thermoplastics. The number 1 most popular commercial polypropylene is isotactic polypropylene (i-PP) with an intermediate level of crystallinity. (i-PP) features include; flexibility, high resistance to impact, and optical clarity. Further, Isotactic polypropylene competes in many areas with HDPE which has stress crack and temperature resistance, higher melting point but lower impact resistance. Polypropylene and is largely consumed by the plastics industry followed by the automotive and textile industry. PP has replaced other materials such as; cellophane, metal, wood, and glass due to its many attractive properties.

Polyurethanes (PUR)

Polyurethanes properties can be tailored to suit a wide number of applications. They can flexible and soft or hard and rigid, thermoplastic or thermosetting. Because the properties of PURs are dependent on the structure, they can have high rigidity or high toughness and flexibility. In addition, most Polyurethanes have good resistance to ozone, oxygen, oil, and hydrocarbons. Polyurethanes are used in the production of a wide range of products including; rigid and flexible foams, coatings, sealants, and adhesives. They are also used in the fabrication of synthetic fibers (Spandex) and as electrical potting compounds.

POLYESTER (PET, PETE)

Polyethylene terephthalate accounts for about 7% of the global consumption of plastics. When solidified by rapid cooling, PET is turned into a transparent, amorphous thermoplastic and when cold-drawn or cooled slowly it is turned into a semi-crystalline plastic. One of the major attractive features of PET, is that it could be molded or thermoformed into any shape. In addition, polyethylene terephthalate has many other attractive characteristics including; relatively high toughness and strength good abrasion and heat resistance, excellent dimensional stability and low creep at high temperature. These characteristics make PET fibers a popular choice for textile applications. On other hand, PET is used, as a thermoplastic in manufacturing blow-molded bottles for water and soft drinks. Polyester is also used in manufactures handles and housings for household appliances such as toasters, stoves, and showerheads.