- is a synthetic

material made from a

wide range of organic
polymers such as
polyethylene,
polyvinyl chloride,
nylon, etc., that can be
molded into shape
while soft, and then
set into a rigid or
slightly elastic form.
COMPOSITION
Organic
Polymers + Carbon + O2 +

Nitrogen + Sulfur

Organic Polymers may include:

C H A L K , S TA R C H , I V O R Y D U S T, W O O D
F LO O R , Z I N C O X I D E
 PROPERTIES
 APPEARANCE: Some plastics are completely transparent in appearance.
With the addition of suitable pigments, the plastics can be made to have
appearance of variety of attractive, opaque, stable and translucent colours.

 CHEMICAL RESISTANCE: The plastics offer great resistance to moisture,

chemicals and solvents. The degree of chemical resistance depends on the
chemical composition of plastics. Many plastics are found to possess
excellent corrosion resistance. Hence they are used to convey chemicals.
 PROPERTIES

 DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: This property of plastic favours quite

satisfactory with that of other common engineering materials.
 DUCTILITY: The plastics possess excellent electric insulating
property. They are far superior to ordinary electric insulators.
 MAINTENANCE: It is easy to maintain plastic surfaces. They do
not require any protective coat of paints.
 PROPERTIES
 MELTING POINT: Most of the plastics have low melting point and the melting
point of some plastics is only about 50 ͦC. They cannot therefore be used in
positions having high temperatures or to convey boiling water.
 OPTICAL PROPERTY: Several types of plastics are transparent and
translucent.
 RECYCLING: The most environmentally aware people condemn the use of
plastics for the amount of pollution caused by them in disposal. The plastics
used for soft-drink bottles, milk and juice bottles, bread bags, etc. can be
conveniently recycled into carpets, detergent bottles, drainage pipes,
fencing, handrails, grocery bags, car battery cases, etc.
 PROPERTIES
 SOUND ABSORPTION: The acoustical boards are prepared by
impregnating fibre-glass with phenolic resins. This material has
absorption coefficient of about 0.67.
 STRENGTH: An ideal section of plastics for structural member has yet
not been designed. The plastics are reasonably strong. The strength of
plastics may be increased by reinforcing with various fibrous
materials.
 PROPERTIES
Following considerations are responsible to
discourage the use of plastics as the
structural material:
1. The plastics are costly.
2. The plastics are subject to creep under
constant heavy loads.
3. The behaviour of plastics is very
sensitive to the changes in temperature.
4. The stiffness of plastics is very poor
 ADVANTAGES
Corrosion resistance
Low electrical and thermal
conductivity, insulator
Easily formed into complex
shapes, can be formed, casted
and joined.
Wide choice of appearance,
colors and transparencies
DISADVANTAGES
Low strength
Low useful temperature range (up to 600o
F)
Less dimensional stability over period of
time (creep effect)
Aging effect, hardens and become brittle
over time
Sensitive to environment, moisture and
chemicals
Poor machinibility
USES
 There are more than 10000 different kinds of plastics available in
the market and their performance abilities span those of every other
known material from soft rubber to steel.
USES
The typical uses of plastics in building are
summarized as follows:
 Bath and sink units
 Cistern ball floats
 Corrugated and plain sheets
 Decorative laminates and
mouldings
 Electrical conduits
 Electrical Insulators
 Films for water proofing, damp
proofing and concrete curing
 Floor tiles
 Foams for thermal insulation
 Jointless flooring
 Lighting fixtures
 Overhead water tanks
 Paints and varnishes
 Pipes to carry cold water
 Roof lights
 Safety glass
 Wall tiles
 Water resistance adhesives
 CLASSIFICATIONS
Plastics can be classified
considering various aspects,
according to their:
1. Behavior with respect to
heating
2. Structure
3. Physical and mechanical
properties.
CLASSIFICATIONS

Behavior with
respect to heating Structure Physical and
mechanical properties

Rigid Plastics
Thermo-
Homogeneous
plastics Semi-rigid
Plastics

Thermo-setting Heterogeneous Soft Plastics

Elastomers
 THERMOPLASTICS
Thermoplastics variety softens
by heat and hardens when
cooled down. It can be used by
remolding as many times as
required.
THERMOSETTING
PLASTICS
Thermosetting plastics can not
be reused .This variety requires
a great pressure and
momentary heat during
molding which hardens on
cooling.
 The thermoplastic or heat non-convertible group is the general term applied
to the plastics which becomes soft when heated and hard when cooled.
 Thermoplastic materials can be cooled and heated several times.
 They can be recycled.
 When thermoplastics are heated, they melt to a liquid. They also freeze to a
glassy state when cooled enough.
 Thermoplastic can be molded into any shape.
 PROPERTIES

 It may melt before passing to a gaseous

state.
 Allow plastic deformation when it is
heated.
 They are brittle and glossy.
 They are soluble in certain solvents.
 Swell in the presence of certain solvents.
 Good resistance to creep.
 Examples and applications of thermoplastic plastic materials

Some products made from thermoplastic materials are used

for electronic applications. They protect against electrostatic discharge
and radio frequency interference.
 High pressure polyethylene as applied to rigid material covered with electrical
machines, tubes, etc.
 Low pressure polyethylene elastic material used for insulation of electrical cables,
etc.
 Polystyrene applied for electrical insulation, handles of tools.
 Polyamide used for making ropes, belts, etc...
 PVC or polyvinyl chloride for the manufacture of insulation materials, pipes,
containers, etc.
 The thermo-setting or heat convertible group is
the general term applied to the plastics which
become rigid when molded at suitable pressure
and temperature.
 This type of plastic passes originally through
thermo-plastic stage. When they are heated in
temperature range of 127 ͦC to 177 ͦC, they set
permanently and further application of heat does
not alter their form or soften them.
 But at the temperature of about 343 ͦC, the
charring occurs. This charring is a peculiar
characteristic of the organic substances.
 PROPERTIES

 These are soluble in alcohol and certain organic

solvents, when they are in thermo-plastic stage.
This property is utilized for making paints and
varnishes from these plastics.
 These are durable, strong and hard.
 They are available in a variety of beautiful
colours.
 They are mainly used in engineering application
of plastics.
 APPLICATIONS

Epoxies
Properties: good dimensional stability, excellent mechanical and
electrical properties, good resistance to heat and chemicals
Applications: electrical components requiring strength, tools
and dies, fiber reinforced epoxies are used in structural
components, tanks, pressure vessels, rocket motor casing

Phenolics
Properties: good dimensional stability, rigid, high resistance to
heat, water, electricity, and chemicals

Applications: laminated panels, handles, knobs, electrical

components; connectors, insulators
 APPLICATIONS

Polyesters (thermosetting, reinforced with glass fibers)

Properties: good mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties, good
resistance to heat and chemicals
Applications: boats, luggage, swimming pools, automotive bodies, chairs

Silicones
Properties: excellent electrical properties over a wide rang of temperature
and humidity, good heat and chemical properties
Applications: electrical components requiring strength at high temp.,
waterproof materials, heat seals
 GENERAL USES

 Electronic chips
 Fibre-reinforced composites
 Polymeric coatings
 Spectacle lenses
 Dental fillings
 NATURAL POLYMERS SYNTHETIC POLYMER

Thermoplastic polymer Thermosetting polymer

(Chemical composition do not (Irreversible chemical process)
change on heating)

Remoldable Polymers Non-remoldable polymers

These are brittle, glossy, They possess matt effect,

elasticity, flexible elasticity, and are flexible
Eg: Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Eg: Rubber, Nylon, Glass Fibre,
Polystyrene, PVC Cork
Homogeneous plastics
This variety of plastic contains carbon chain i.e. the plastics of this group are

composed only of carbon atoms and they exhibit homogeneous structure.

Heterogeneous plastics
This variety of plastic is composed of the chain containing carbon and

oxygen, the nitrogen and other elements and they exhibit heterogeneous

structure.
These plastics have a high modulus of
elasticity and they retain their shape under
exterior stresses applied at normal or
moderately increased temperatures.

These plastics have a medium modulus of

elasticity and the elongation under pressure
completely disappears, when pressure is
removed.
 These plastics have a low
modulus of elasticity and the
elongation under pressure
disappears slowly, when pressure
is removed.
 Soft plastics are available in a
large range of colours, sizes and
particularly shapes.
USES: Used in making children’s
toys eg: rattles etc., fishing baits.
These plastics are soft and elastic
materials with a low modulus of
elasticity. They deform considerably
under load at room temperature and
return to their original shape, when the
load is released. The extensions can
range upto ten times their original
dimensions.
 Decomposes in the natural environment. It is produced from biopolymers

called polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). This material is completely biodegradable.

 Biodegradation of plastics can be achieved by enabling microorganisms in the
environment to metabolize the molecular structure of plastic films to produce
an inert humus like material that is harmful to environment.
 The use of bio-active compounds compounded with swelling agents ensures
that, when combined with heat and moisture, they expand the plastic’s
molecular structure and allow the bio-active compounds to metabolize and
neutralize the plastic.
Advantages & disadvantages
 Under proper conditions biodegradable
plastics can degrade to the point where
microorganisms can metabolize them.
 This reduces the problems with litter and
reduces harmful effects on wildlife.
 However degradation of biodegradable plastic
occurs very slowly.
 Proper composting methods are required to
degrade the plastic, which may actually
contribute to carbon dioxide emissions.
 This is the most commonly adopted process
for the fabrication of plastic articles.
 The general process consist in placing the
raw materials in a mould and then heating it.
 The moulding can be done by various
methods:
 Compression moulding
 Extrusion moulding
 Injection moulding
 Jet moulding
 Transfer moulding
NOTE: The choice of moulding method will
depend on the article to be prepared.
Some of the molding
components are:
 Catalyst
 Fillers
 Hardeners
 Lubricants
 Pigments
 Plasticizers
 Solvents
 Catalysts
These components are added to
assist and accelerate the
hardening of resins.
 For instance, the ester acts as
catalyst for urea formaldehyde.
 They are used for quick and
complete polymerization.
 Fillers
 The fillers are inert materials and they
impart strength, hardness and other
properties to the plastic.
 The choice of filler should be carefully made.
 It should be confirmed that the addition of a
filler does not have detrimental effect on other
properties of plastic.
 The filler may be used in the following forms-
 Fibrous fillers
 Laminated fillers
 Power fillers
 Hardeners
 These compounds are added to
increase the hardness of resin.
 For instance, the hexamethylene
tetramine acts as hardeners for phenol
formaldehyde.

Lubricants
 The lubricants are applied on the surface of moulds so that
the articles of plastic do not stick to the moulds.
 The application of lubricants on surface of moulds allows
easy removal of articles of plastic from the moulds.
 The commonly used lubricants are graphite, parafine, wax,
etc.
 Pigments
 The addition of dyes and pigments helps
in two ways, namely, they act as fillers
and they impart desired colour to the
plastic.
 They should be durable and adequately
fast to light.
 The commonly used pigments are zinc
oxide, barytes, etc.
 The selection of pigments should be
done in such a way that their addition does
not alter or affect the other properties of
plastic.
 Plasticizers
 The plasticizers are the organic compounds which are oily in nature and low
molecular weight.
 They are used to separate the polymer chain by a greater distance to make the
crystallization difficult.
 These components are added to improve the plasticity and to impart softness to
the plastic.
 They gives flexibility to the material and act like a lubricant.
 The addition of plasticizers facilitates the moulding process of plastic articles.
 The commonly used plasticizers in plastic are camphor, triacetin, tributyl
phosphate, etc.
 The properties of plasticizers in plastic should not exceed 10% otherwise
strength of plastic will decrease.
 Solvents
 These components are added
to dissolve the plasticizers.
 For instance the alcohol is
added in cellulose nitrate
plastics to dissolve camphor.
Following are the process involved
in the fabrication of articles of
plastics:
 Blowing
 Calendering
 Casting
 Laminating
 Moulding
 Blowing
 This method of lubrication of
articles of plastic is more or less the
same as the one employed in the
glass industry.
 A lump of plastic material is taken
and by blowing, it is converted into
hollow plastic articles such as jars,
bottles, toys, etc.
 Calendering
 In this process the plastic
material is allowed to pass
between the cylindrical rollers.
 The process is used to prepare
plain flat sheets of plastics.
 The roller may be provided with
artistic designs which will appear
on the finished product.
 Casting
 This process is similar in principle
to that of metal casting.
 The resin is heated and when it is
in plastic form, it is poured into the
mould.
 The curing of articles is then done
either with or without the
application of heat.
 During curing the low pressure
may be applied if necessary.
 Lamination
 In this process, the thermosetting resin are just
applied on sheets of paper, asbestos, cloth, wood,
glass, fibre, etc. and they are subjected to heavy
pressure by allowing them to pass through rollers
to form plastic laminates.
 The thickness of sheets varies from 0.12 mm to
15 mm
 Due to the pleasing finished surface, they are
used for ornamental and decorative purposes.