Alexei Volkov
Builders' ware of plastics refers to a range of plastic products used in construction and building design. Common plastic composites used in construction include aluminium composite material (ACM) and fibre-reinforced polymer composite (FRP). Plastic construction materials include Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polycarbonate (PC), and more. These plastics are used for a variety of purposes, such as piping, roofing, flooring, and insulation. Plastic construction materials are popular due to their low cost and ease of installation. However, they may pose risks to the environment and human health, and may not be as durable as traditional building materials.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Commodity code | 39 253925 |
| Examples | reservoirs, tanks, vats, containers, doors, windows, frames, shutters, blinds |
| Wall or ceiling coverings | Products in rolls with a width of at least 45 cm, suitable for wall or ceiling decoration |
| Plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip | Blocks of regular geometric shape, uncut or cut into rectangles but not further worked |
| Plasticisers | Secondary plasticisers |
| Powder | Products where 90% or more, by mass, passes through a 420-micrometre mesh aperture |
| Heat shrinkable | Products with a shrinkage coefficient of 15% or more at 120°C |
| Immediate packings | Bags in direct or immediate contact with products for packing goods |
| Common types | PVC, PE, PP, ACM, FRP, Polycarbonate |
| Common uses | Pipes, cables, roofing, flooring, insulation, electrical cable insulation |
| Advantages | Low cost, ease of installation |
| Disadvantages | Environmental and health risks, less durable than traditional materials |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic in construction: common uses
Plastic is the generic name for a family of synthetic materials derived from petrochemicals. The construction industry has embraced plastics because of their unique properties and sustainability. In 2019, the industry consumed around 77 million metric tons of plastic, accounting for 17% of global plastic production.
One of the most common uses of plastic in construction is piping. Plastic pipes are used for plumbing, heating, drainage, and gas distribution. Plastic pipes in domestic settings are generally made with PEX and PVC, though composites like MLCP are also used. Another common use of plastic is in roofing. Corrugated plastic sheets are often used in roofing, providing a basic form of protection for outdoor sheds, greenhouses, and industrial buildings. Plastic roofing sheets are generally made from PP or PVC, offering a cheaper alternative to traditional roofing tiles and glass panels.
Plastic is also used in flooring, emerging as an alternative to materials like wood and carpet. Plastic floor coverings are usually made from PVC. Plastic's inherent malleability means it can be manipulated and fabricated to meet virtually any design requirement. This flexibility allows architects and builders to realise innovative and intricate design concepts.
Plastic is also used in window and door frames. PVC frames offer excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, are resistant to weathering, and require minimal maintenance. They are also versatile, with a wide range of designs and finishes available to fit any architectural style. Polycarbonate is a popular choice for exterior design elements like windows, skylights, cladding, and roofing due to its transparency and high impact resistance. Acrylic, often known by its brand name Plexiglas, is another plastic commonly used for glazing.
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Plastic roofing sheets
One of the main advantages of polycarbonate roofing sheets is their strength and resilience. They are much stronger than glass and have 250 times the impact strength of glass at the equivalent thickness. This makes them ideal for withstanding extreme weather conditions, such as hail, rain, sleet, snow, and even tropical storms. They also offer excellent protection against vandalism and accidental damage.
Polycarbonate roofing sheets are lightweight, which makes them easy to handle and install. This can result in significant cost and time savings for builders. Additionally, polycarbonate sheets have superior UV-blocking capabilities, blocking up to 98% of harmful UV radiation. This makes them a good choice for sunrooms, greenhouses, and pool covers, as they can protect against sun damage and provide better protection for the skin and eyes.
Another benefit of polycarbonate roofing sheets is their temperature resistance. They can withstand extremely low and high temperatures, making them suitable for use in a variety of climates. They also have good thermal insulation properties, which can be advantageous in outdoor structures.
While polycarbonate roofing sheets offer many advantages, there are also some considerations to keep in mind. One potential downside is that they can be scratched, so proper cleaning and maintenance are important to prevent permanent damage. Additionally, the quality of the plastic roofing sheets and the frequency of maintenance will determine their longevity. Harsh cleaners and power washers should be avoided, as they can degrade the material and shorten its lifespan.
Overall, plastic roofing sheets, especially those made of polycarbonate, offer a durable, lightweight, and versatile option for builders. They are a popular choice for a variety of structures, including greenhouses, patios, sheds, pool covers, and industrial warehouses. With their ability to handle extreme temperatures and weather conditions, polycarbonate roofing sheets provide a strong and resilient option for builders ware.
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Plastic flooring
One of the most common types of plastic flooring is vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring is often used in homes and commercial facilities due to its durability and versatility. It can be installed as the main flooring surface or as an underlayment. Vinyl flooring is also easy to maintain, as it can be swept, vacuumed, or mopped to keep it looking its best.
Another popular option for plastic flooring is polypropylene flooring. Polypropylene is a rigid and extremely durable material that is often used in areas that require a sure footing, such as garages and sports courts. The tiles snap together to create a finished layout that not only looks great but also provides a safe and stable surface for activities like basketball and volleyball.
For areas that require more flexibility, PVC plastic flooring is a good choice. PVC is ideal for spaces where cushioning is desirable, such as play areas or gyms, as it can provide anti-fatigue benefits and protect against falls. PVC flooring is also waterproof, making it suitable for areas with constant water exposure.
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Plastic composites
One of the common composite products is glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebar. The construction industry is one of the largest users of plastic composites today. FRPs have emerged as an attractive alternative for retrofitting and strengthening concrete structures due to the advantages they offer over traditional construction materials such as concrete and steel.
Concrete, for example, is the most widely used material globally but has limited tensile strength, which is why concrete buildings sometimes fail during earthquakes. Plastic composites, on the other hand, offer greater tensile strength and durability, making them ideal for use in buildings, roads, bridges, dams, and marine walls.
The use of FRPs in infrastructure construction projects can lead to more resilient and sustainable developments. This reduces the environmental footprint of repairing and rebuilding ageing infrastructure.
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Plastic manufacturing
Plastic is derived from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil. Crude oil is a complex mixture of thousands of compounds and needs to be processed before it can be used to make plastic. This processing begins with the distillation of crude oil in an oil refinery, which separates the heavy crude oil into groups of lighter components, called fractions. One of these fractions, naphtha, is the crucial compound for plastic production.
There are two main processes used to produce plastics: polymerisation and polycondensation. Polymerisation is a process in the petroleum industry where light olefin gases (gasoline) such as ethylene, propylene, and butylene (monomers) are converted into higher molecular weight hydrocarbons (polymers). This happens when monomers are chemically bonded into chains through the introduction of a catalyst, typically a peroxide. Common examples of addition polymers include polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. Condensation polymerisation, on the other hand, involves joining two or more different monomers by removing small molecules such as water.
Plastics are made up of polymeric resins often mixed with additives like glass or carbon fibres to increase strength and stiffness. The plasticity of a polymer refers to its ability to deform irreversibly without breaking during the moulding process.
There are various plastic manufacturing processes, including 3D printing and plastic injection moulding. 3D printing technologies like FDM (fused deposition modelling), SLA (stereolithography), and SLS (selective laser sintering) are used to create three-dimensional parts directly from CAD models by building material layer by layer. Plastic injection moulding, on the other hand, is a high-volume manufacturing method where liquid plastic resin is injected into the empty cavity of a forming die. This process can produce millions of identical parts quickly, with an excellent surface finish and at a low cost. However, the moulds can be expensive and complex, requiring careful engineering design.
Overall, the plastic manufacturing process involves various steps, from the distillation of crude oil to the polymerisation of monomers and the subsequent mixing of additives to create specific plastic types. These plastics are then formed into various products through processes like 3D printing and injection moulding, each offering unique advantages and applications.
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Frequently asked questions
Builders ware of plastics refers to the use of plastic materials in construction. Plastic has become a common material in building design and is used in everything from roofing to flooring to plumbing.
Plastic is cheap, easy to install, and versatile. It can be formed into a variety of shapes and used as a substitute for traditional building materials like glass, metal, and concrete.
Some common plastics used in construction include PVC, PE, PP, and PC. PVC is used for pipes, cables, windows, and roofing, while PE is used for pipes, cladding panels, and roofing sheets. PP is used for carpeting, piping systems, roofing sheets, and insulation, and PC is a type of thermoplastic used in building and construction projects.
