Classification of Plastics

Thermoplastics
Soften on the application of heat, with or without pressure
and require cooling to be set to a shape
Can be heated and cooled any number of times
Highly plastic and are easy for moulding or shaping
Examples: Polythene, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC),
Polystrene etc.

Thermosetting
Require heat and pressure to mould them into shape
Cannot be restored once they have set and hardened
Ideal for moulding into components that require rigidity,
strength, and some resistance to heat

Manufacturing Commercial Goods

Methods used in fabrication of commercial
articles from plastics
Casting. Molten raw material is cast into molds
using zinc, wooden or plaster of Paris molds.
Extrusion. Pulling molten raw material into desired
shape out of a notch having the shape of the
finished product.

Lamination. Impregnation of thin sheets of paper,

cloth, wood, glass fiber, etc with molten plastic
material, passed rollers under heavy pressures.
These sheets under pressure and temperature are
bonded into sheets of varying thickness. Used for
ornamental and decorative purposes.
Molding. Raw material inserted into molds and then
heated to give shape and chemical reaction. Molding
can be compression, Transfer or injection.

Manufacturing Commercial Goods

Compression molding. Raw material placed
between two parts of mold, mold compressed
and material heated simultaneously until
chemical change takes place. Molded article
taken out and cooled.

Manufacturing Commercial Goods

Transfer molding. Molten material passed into
molds and then subjected to pressure till
chemical change takes place. Intricate machine
parts with thermo-set plastic are made by this
method.

Manufacturing Commercial Goods

Injection molding. Raw material placed in a
heating tube is liquefied and then pushed into
the mold cavity through a nozzle. Quick method
for molding thermoplastics.

Properties of Plastics
Available in a variety of shades, textures and finishes
to meet various requirements
Can be molded to any shape and size
Easy to work upon and easy to install
High resistance to weathering and corrosion
Quite light in weight
Not attacked by insects or fungi

 Little maintenance and care needed

Good electrical insulation
Some plastics have good optical properties
Good sound and heat absorption properties
Can withstand moisture, oils and greases well

Disadvantages of using Plastics

Low strength
Low useful temperature range (up to 600 oF)
Less dimensional stability over period of time
(creep effect)
Aging effect, hardens and become brittle over time
Sensitive to environment, moisture and chemicals