Polymers
Thermoplastic
Acrylic
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Acrylic is a transparent plastic material with outstanding strength, stiffness, and optical clarity. Acrylic sheet is easy to fabricate, bonds well with adhesives and solvents, and is easy to thermoform. It has superior weathering properties compared to many other transparent plastics.
Acrylic sheet exhibits glass-like qualities—clarity, brilliance, and transparency—but at half the weight and many times the impact resistance of glass. From durable signs and skylights, to eye-catching retail store fixtures, displays and shelves, acrylic plastics provide outstanding versatility, durability, and aesthetic qualities.
Acrylic sheet exhibits glass-like qualities—clarity, brilliance, and transparency—but at half the weight and many times the impact resistance of glass. From durable signs and skylights, to eye-catching retail store fixtures, displays and shelves, acrylic plastics provide outstanding versatility, durability, and aesthetic qualities.
Polyethylene
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High Density Polyethylene - HDPE High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) is a thermoplastic polymer made from petroleum. As one of the most versatile plastic materials around, HDPE plastic is used in a wide variety of applications, including plastic bottles, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, bleach bottles, cutting boards, and piping. It is transparent, weatherproof, tough and has good chemical resistance
Polyethylene Terephalate (PET)
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Low Density Polyethylene - LDPE
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
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Polypropylene (PP)
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Polyethylene Terephthalate - PET
Acrylonitrile Butadiene styrene (ABS)
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Polystyrene (PS)
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Rigid Polystyrene (High Density)
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Expanded Polystyrene
Styrofoam
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Thermosetting plastics
A thermosetting polymer, resin, or plastic, often called a thermoset, is a polymer that is irreversibly hardened by curing from a soft solid or viscous liquid prepolymer or resin. Curing is induced by heat or suitable radiation and may be promoted by high pressure, or mixing with a catalyst. Thermosetting polymers are plastics that do not soften on heating. They are often used when resistance to heat is important (eg kettles, plugs, laptop chargers etc). They are also used for fixing or bonding other materials together.
Epoxy Resin
Epoxy resins are used in the manufacture of adhesives, plastics, paints, coatings, primers and sealers, flooring and other products and materials that are used in building and construction applications.
The term epoxy has been widely adapted for many uses beyond its original use for fibre-reinforced polymer composites. Today, epoxy adhesives are sold in local DIY stores, and epoxy resin is used as the binder in countertops or coatings for floors. The many uses for epoxy continue to expand, and variants of epoxies are constantly being developed to fit the industries and products they are used in. Here are some things that epoxy resin is used in:
Common Products for Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Products commonly manufactured with epoxy, listed by manufacturing process, are: Filament Winding
When compared to other traditional thermoset or thermoplastic resins, epoxy resins have distinct advantages, including:
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With epoxy prepregs, the resin is tacky, but not cured. This allows layers of prepreg materials to be cut, stacked, and placed in a mold. Then, with the addition of heat and pressure, the prepreg can be consolidated and cured. Epoxy prepregs and the epoxy B-stage film must be kept at a low temperature to prevent premature curing, which is why companies using prepregs must invest in refrigeration or freezer units to keep the material cool.
An autoclave is a machine used to carry out industrial and scientific processes requiring elevated temperature and pressure in relation to ambient pressure/temperature.
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Urea formaldehyde (UF)
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Urea-formaldehyde is chemically known as urea-methanol. It is a non-transparent thermosetting resin or plastic and is made from urea and formaldehyde heated in the presence of a mild base such as ammonia or pyridine. Urea Formaldehyde physical properties make it hard and tough, making it suitable for strong, knock-resistant electrical fittings. It is also scratch resistant and a very good electrical insulator. The resins are very useful in adhesives, and also in the MDF, and the moulded objects.
Polyester resin
Polyester resins on their own are rigid, heat resistant, chemical resistant and brittle. However they are mainly used as part of a layup process for GRP for boat hulls, car parts, and chair seats to name but a few. The manufacturing process is very similar to Epoxy Resin but the mixture is not so equal with only a small amount of hardener needed.
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