Ethan Clarke
Plastic is used globally and comes in many different forms, with dozens of different types produced today. Plastic is derived from the Ancient Greek πλαστικός (plastikos), meaning capable of being shaped or molded. The world's first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in New York in 1907. The most common plastics include PET, PVC, PP, LDPE, and HDPE. These plastics are used in a wide range of applications, including food packaging, containers, bottles, toys, clothing, and construction. While plastic has revolutionized many industries, it has also become a significant source of pollution, with an estimated 6.3 billion tons of plastic waste generated to date.
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What You'll Learn
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
Polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as PET, is a type of clear, durable, lightweight, and versatile plastic. It is the most common thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family. It is produced from the polycondensation of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. It is also known as poly(ethylene terephthalate), PETE, or the obsolete PETP or PET-P.
PET is widely used in packaging, textile production, and consumer goods. It is commonly recycled and has a resin identification code of 1 (♳). It is the most widely recycled plastic in the United States, making it a highly sought-after material. Recycled PET (rPET) can be used to make new bottles and various other products, such as winter jackets, rugs, playground equipment, and dog beds. Using rPET instead of new plastic reduces environmental impact by lowering total energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
PET is known for its durability, mechanical strength, and transparency. It is often used in disposable carbonated beverage bottles due to its high strength, toughness, and excellent dimensional stability. It also serves as a great deterrent to liquids and solvents. Additionally, PET is used in the fabrication of thin-layer products like stretched film and thermoforming.
In the context of textiles, PET is referred to as polyester. It is used to create artificial fibres for clothing, blankets, bed sheets, carpets, and upholstery padding. These fibres offer outstanding wear resistance, low moisture absorption, and durability. PET is also combined with glass fibre for engineering resins and is used in 3D printing applications.
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Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
PVC is used in a wide range of applications across many sectors, including building and construction, healthcare, electronics, and automobiles. In construction, it is used for window and door profiles, roofing, fencing, decking, wall coverings, flooring, and pipes. It has largely replaced cast iron for plumbing and drainage, being used for waste pipes, drainpipes, gutters, and downspouts. PVC is also used for wire and cable insulation, blood bags, and medical tubing.
In addition to its versatility, PVC is valued for its strong resistance to chemicals, sunlight, oxidation from water, moisture, and abrasion. It is also useful for packaging, protecting the contents of medicines, personal care products, and consumer goods. Clear PVC is used for tamper-resistant over-the-counter medications, and it can also be used for food packaging.
PVC is derived from vinyl chloride, which is mainly sourced from salt and natural gas. Vinyl products are very common, including toys, car interiors, shower curtains, and flooring. However, they have been associated with health risks, as they initially release chemical gases and may contain high levels of phthalates, which are not covalently bound to the polymer matrix and are highly susceptible to leaching.
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Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene, also known as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer with a wide variety of applications. It is produced by chain-growth polymerization from the monomer propylene. It is one of the most commonly used thermoplastics in the world.
Polypropylene is a very tough, heat-resistant plastic that retains its shape after a lot of torsion, bending, and/or flexing. It is also resistant to fats and almost all organic solvents, apart from strong oxidants. It has a high chemical resistance, and its properties are similar to polyethylene, but it is slightly harder and more heat-resistant. It is a white, mechanically rugged material with a slippery, tactile surface.
Polypropylene has a wide range of applications. It is used in plastic packaging, plastic parts for machinery and equipment, fibres and textiles, plastic furniture, and first aid products. It is also used in the automotive industry for battery casings, trays and drink holders, bumpers, interior details, instrumental panels, and door trims. The medical world also uses polypropylene for its waterproof properties, flexible strength, and resistance to mould, bacteria, and chemical corrosion.
Polypropylene can be processed by virtually all thermoplastic-processing methods, including extrusion blow moulding, injection moulding, and general-purpose extrusion. It is also used in its fibre form for products such as tote bags, ropes, twine, tape, carpets, and upholstery.
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Polystyrene (PS)
Polystyrene, also known as PS, is a synthetic polymer made from the monomer styrene. It is naturally transparent, lightweight, and inexpensive to manufacture. These qualities have contributed to polystyrene's popularity across industries, from household products to manufacturing and machinery. It is one of the most widely used plastics, with several million tonnes produced annually.
Polystyrene typically comes in two forms: foam, also known as expanded or extruded polystyrene, and rigid, solid plastic. These two forms have different physical properties and applications. Solid polystyrene is clear, hard, and brittle, while foamed polystyrene is a soft, white, insulating material. Pure polystyrene is brittle, but a high-impact product can be made via copolymerization by giving it the properties of a more flexible material, such as polybutadiene rubber.
Polystyrene is commonly used in protective packaging, containers, lids, bottles, trays, tumblers, disposable cutlery, and as an alternative material for phonograph records. It is also used in biomedical research and science, such as Petri dishes, test tubes, and microplates. In addition, polystyrene can be found in common household products like yogurt containers, smoke detector housings, and red Solo cups.
Polystyrene is slow to biodegrade and is not widely recycled, which has led to concerns about its environmental impact. However, it is FDA-compliant and certified safe for use with food and beverages.
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Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
ABS is commonly used in the automotive industry for car parts, plastic alloys, and protective headgear. It is also used in construction for plastic tubing, corrugated plastic structures, and protective housing for power tools. Additionally, ABS is found in everyday items such as computer keyboards, LEGO bricks, musical instruments, and children's toys.
One of the key advantages of ABS is its low production cost. It can be manufactured in a range of thicknesses and widths, making it versatile for different applications. ABS also has excellent mechanical properties, including toughness, rigidity, and impact resistance, which can be further enhanced by modifying the proportions of its components.
ABS is suitable for injection moulding and 3D printing due to its low melting point and ease of moulding. It can be easily processed and shaped, making it a popular choice for manufacturers. Additionally, ABS accepts colour easily, allowing for precise dyeing to meet specific project requirements.
While ABS offers many benefits, it is important to note that it has a decomposition temperature of 400 °C (750 °F), at which point it breaks down into its constituents, including butadiene and acrylonitrile, which are known to be carcinogenic to humans. Ultrafine particles produced during processes like 3D printing have also raised health concerns.
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Frequently asked questions
The most common plastic products include packaging made from LDPE (e.g. bags, containers, food packaging film), containers made from HDPE (e.g. milk bottles, shampoo bottles, ice cream tubs), and PET (e.g. bottles for water and other drinks). Together, these products account for around 36% of plastic use in the world.
LDPE stands for Low-Density Polyethylene. It is more pliable than HDPE and is commonly used in food packaging.
HDPE stands for High-Density Polyethylene. It is a solid material that can tolerate high temperatures and strong chemicals. It is commonly used in containers, bottles, and pipes.
PET stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate. It is a strong, lightweight, and transparent plastic. It is used in packaging, consumer goods, and coatings. PET is also used in clothing, where it is known as polyester.
Other common plastic products include PVC, which is used in construction and pipes, and PP (polypropylene), which is used in clothing, surgery tools, food containers, and more. ABS plastic sheeting is commonly used in the automotive and refrigeration industries, as well as in products such as boxes, luggage, and children's toys.
