Alexei Volkov
Plastic is everywhere. It's in our televisions, computers, cars, and even our houses. But not all plastics are created equal. There are dozens of different types, each with unique properties. Plastics are typically categorized by the chemical structure of their polymer backbone and side chains. The most common types of plastics include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and polypropylene (PP). Other types include polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes, and polycarbonates. Some plastics are easy to recycle, while others are not. Some produce hazardous materials after several uses, while others are safe and reusable. With so many types of plastics and their widespread use, it's important to understand their impact on the environment and make informed choices about the products we buy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of categories | 7 |
| First fully synthetic plastic | Bakelite |
| Most common plastic | Polyethylene |
| Commonly used for optical devices and products | Acrylic |
| Used for food and drink packaging | Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) |
| Used for construction and pipes | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) |
| Used for eye protection and lenses | Polycarbonates (PC) |
| Used for laboratory equipment, automotive parts, medical devices, and food containers | Polypropylene (PP) |
| Used as a wood adhesive | Urea-formaldehyde (UF) |
| Used in body armor | Aramids |
| Used in artificial ice skating rinks and hip, knee, and spine implants | UHMWPE |
| Used in plastic bags | Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) |
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What You'll Learn
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): used for food/drink packaging, plastic bags, and trays
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): used for grocery bags, milk jugs, and shampoo bottles
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): used in construction and pipes for its strength and durability
- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): commonly used for plastic bags, juice cartons, and plastic wraps
- Polypropylene (PP): a semi-crystalline thermoplastic used for food/beverage packaging and cutlery
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): used for food/drink packaging, plastic bags, and trays
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a type of plastic that is commonly used for food and drink packaging, plastic bags, and trays. It is the most common thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is known for its excellent chemical resistance to organic materials and water. PET is also easily recyclable, making it a popular choice for packaging materials.
One of the key advantages of PET in packaging is its ability to prevent oxygen from entering and spoiling the product inside. This makes it ideal for beverages that are degraded by oxygen, such as beer. To further enhance its oxygen barrier properties, PET can be combined with other materials, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) or polyamide (PA). Additionally, PET is lightweight, robust, and mechanically resistant to impact, making it a versatile packaging option.
In the food and beverage industry, PET is widely used for bottles, especially for soft drinks, water, and carbonated beverages. It has gained a high share of the market, replacing glass bottles and cans. PET bottles are also extensively used for drinks in the form of non-returnable containers. However, there have been concerns about the migration of substances, such as antimony, from PET bottles into beverages. While health risks associated with low concentrations of antimony are considered negligible, certain fruit juice concentrates in the UK were found to exceed EU limits.
Beyond packaging, PET is also used in fibres for clothing, containers for liquids and foods, thermoforming for manufacturing, and engineering resins when combined with glass fibre. It is the fourth-most produced synthetic plastic globally, with annual production reaching 56 million tons in 2016. However, it is important to note that PET is derived from fossil sources and is not biodegradable. Efforts are being made to produce PET in a more sustainable way, such as using biomasses or biodegradable alternatives.
Overall, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a widely used plastic for food and drink packaging, plastic bags, and trays, offering advantages such as oxygen barrier properties, lightweight nature, and recyclability. While concerns about substance migration exist, PET continues to play a significant role in the packaging industry.
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High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): used for grocery bags, milk jugs, and shampoo bottles
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a thermoplastic polymer made from petroleum. It is one of the most versatile plastic materials and is used in a wide range of applications. HDPE is known for its high strength-to-density ratio, making it ideal for various products that require durability and stiffness.
One of the most common uses of HDPE is in the production of plastic bottles, including milk jugs and shampoo bottles. It is also used for food and beverage containers due to its ability to resist mould, mildew, and rotting. HDPE is FDA-approved for direct and indirect food contact and is often used for cutting boards as it is moisture, bacteria, and odour resistant.
HDPE is also commonly used for chemical tanks, water pipe flanges, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, marine construction, orthotics and prosthetics, and outdoor furniture. It is a low-cost, chemical-resistant plastic with excellent aesthetic qualities and high purity.
Additionally, HDPE is easily recyclable, helping to reduce plastic waste in landfills. It is a cost-effective and environmentally responsible material, often replacing heavier materials. HDPE is also used in corrosion-resistant piping, geomembranes, and plastic lumber.
The physical properties of HDPE can vary depending on the manufacturing process used, such as the molding or polymerization method. Overall, HDPE is a versatile, durable, and lightweight plastic material that is widely used in various applications.
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Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): used in construction and pipes for its strength and durability
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a synthetic polymer made from the vinyl chloride monomer. It is a versatile thermoplastic material known for its durability, chemical resistance, and affordability. PVC is widely used in the construction and building industries, especially in North America and Europe, where it is favoured for its low-maintenance qualities.
PVC is commonly used as a substitute for painted wood in window frames, sills, and siding or weatherboarding. It is also used for fascia, typically coming in a range of colours and finishes, including a photo-effect wood finish. One of the key advantages of PVC is that it does not decompose and is weather-resistant.
PVC is also used extensively in plumbing and drainage systems, replacing cast iron for waste pipes, drainpipes, gutters, and downspouts. This is due to its strong resistance to chemicals, sunlight, and oxidation from water, as well as its impressive tensile strength. PVC pipes can withstand stretching or pulling forces without breaking or deforming easily, making them ideal for handling the weight of fluids.
PVC can be modified through chlorination to increase its chlorine content to 67% or above, resulting in chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC). This process enhances its resistance to chemicals and alkalis, making it suitable for environments where exposure to corrosive substances is a concern.
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Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): commonly used for plastic bags, juice cartons, and plastic wraps
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is a thermoplastic made from the monomer ethylene. It was the first grade of polyethylene, produced in 1933 by John C. Swallow and M.W. Perrin, who were working for Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). LDPE is widely used for manufacturing plastic bags, juice cartons, and plastic wraps. LDPE is defined by a density range of 917–930 kg/m3. At room temperature, it is not reactive, except to strong oxidizers, and some solvents cause it to swell.
LDPE is commonly used for plastic bags, grocery bags, and six-pack rings for soda. It is also used for orthotics and prosthetics due to its flexibility and toughness. LDPE is a good choice for products that need to hold heavier weights without snapping or disintegrating. It is also corrosion-resistant, flexible, durable, and low-cost. On products, LDPE can be recognised by the number four in a triangle, usually on the bottom or side of the item.
LDPE is a lightweight, flexible, and soft plastic with low-temperature toughness and stress-crack resistance. It has high corrosion and chemical resistance and offers strength and toughness that other plastics might not. It is not suitable for applications requiring stiffness, high-temperature resistance, and structural strength. LDPE is easy to fabricate and form and can be recycled, although not all products made from LDPE can be recycled in standard home or business recycling containers.
LDPE is produced through a radical polymerisation process involving extreme heat (up to 570 degrees Kelvin) and high pressure (up to 3,000 atm). This process breaks down raw petroleum-based materials into small molecules, separating the ethylene gas, which is then funnelled into a reactor. LDPE has more branching than its high-density counterpart, resulting in lower density and higher flexibility. However, LDPE might crack or break when holding heavier objects and struggles to maintain its integrity when exposed to UV rays.
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Polypropylene (PP): a semi-crystalline thermoplastic used for food/beverage packaging and cutlery
Polypropylene, commonly abbreviated to PP, is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer. It is one of the most commonly used thermoplastics in the world, with a global demand of around 45 metric tons, and this figure is rising exponentially. PP is produced via chain-growth polymerization from the monomer propylene. It is partially crystalline and non-polar, with properties similar to polyethylene, but it is harder and more heat-resistant.
PP is used for plastic packaging, plastic parts for machinery and equipment, fibres, textiles, and even food and beverage containers. Its slippery, tactile surface and high insulation properties make it ideal for these applications. It is also highly flexible, with excellent fatigue resistance and elasticity, giving it a reputation for toughness and durability. It is also waterproof and resistant to moisture absorption, adding to its flexibility as a packaging material. Its semi-crystalline nature offers high flexural strength, making it resilient to general wear and tear and ideal for items that must undergo higher levels of physical stress. It is also resilient against mildew, mould, rot and bacteria.
PP's lightweight nature makes it a sustainable solution for rigid food packaging. It has the lightest weight and lowest density among other common food packaging materials, resulting in a 12% density reduction compared to PS alternatives and a 30% reduction compared to PET alternatives. This translates to a higher yield during thermoforming processes, lighter-weight parts, less solid waste by weight, and reduced material consumption.
PP is generally regarded as a safe finished product, although some potentially toxic chemicals are used in its manufacture. It is not considered very eco-friendly due to difficulties in the recycling process, but items made from PP can be safely reused, and they are strong enough to resist normal wear and tear for several uses.
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Frequently asked questions
The 7 categories of plastic are LDPE, PE, PET, HDPE, PVC, LDE, and PP.
Group 7 plastics are those that cannot be identified in the first 6 categories. Polycarbonates (PC) are the best-known plastics in this group. They are used to make products that require strength and toughness, such as eye protection, lenses for sunglasses, sports and safety goggles, mobile phones, and compact discs (CDs).
Plastics in group 1 are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). They are used for food and drink packaging because they prevent oxygen from getting in and spoiling the product. They are also used for plastic bags, plastic trays, and bottles for water, cooking oil, and soda.
