UNIT 8 : PLASTICS

SITI MARIAM MAHAZAN

DTLR
 8.1 MOLECULAR STRUCTURE

- Many organic material are hydrocarbon (composed

of hydrogen and carbon)
- Most polymers are made up of H & C
Exp : CnH2n+2
- The bond between the hydrocarbon molecules are
covalen
- Bonding within the molecule is quite strong but the
attractive forces between adjacent molecules are
much weaker
- same number of atom of each element in
them and the same atomic weight but
differ in other properties

- Isomers same as allotropism/polymorphism

(crystals)
 Polymerization is the process of combining
many small molecules known as monomers into a
covalently bonded chain

 2 process :
- addition polymerization
- condensation polymerization

 By addition a number monomer added together to

form polymer
– Initiation

– Propagation

– Termination

5
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 Copolymers :
-  two different types of monomers are joined in the
same polymer chain
exp : -x-y-x-y-x-y-

 Homopolymers :
- Polymers that contain only a single type of
repeat unit
exp : -x-x-x-x-x-
 2 main categories of plastic :

THERMOPLASTIC POLYMERS

Linear or branched
polymers in which
chains of molecules are
not interconnected to
one another.

THERMOSETTING POLYMERS

Polymers that are heavily

cross-linked to produce a
strong three dimensional
network structure.
Differences Between Thermoplastics And Thermosets.

Thermoplastics Thermosets
- Melt upon heating to a - once solidified they may not
liquid state be remelted
- Recyclable - not recyclable.
-not heavily cross-linked. - will melt once and solidify into
-“Polymer can be soften or molten a highly cross-linked polymer
and reformed into new shapes. -“Polymer cannot be soften or molten and
Process can be reheated.” reshaped.”

-Example : Example :
ABS, acrylics, cellulose acetate, epoxies, melamines, phenolics, polyesters,
ethyl cellulose, fluorocarbons, silicones, urea-formaldehyde
polyamides, polycarbonates,
polyethylenes
(i)THERMOPLASTIC
(i) THERMOSET
1973 1993
 GENERAL PROPERTIES

 - Lightweight: specific gravities between 1.1 & 1.6

- Corrosion resistance
- Electrical resistance
- Low thermal conductivity
- Variety of optical properties: many plastics have an
almost unlimited colour range
- Formability
- Excellent surface finish: no additional surface
finish other than shaping process
- Comparatively low cost: offer reduced tool costs &
high rates of production
- Low energy content
 improve their properties 
 reduce cost
 improve their moldability  
 impart colour
 It’s usually being classified as fillers: to
improve strength, stiffness, toughness;
reduce shrinkage & weight
 EXAMPLE :
ADDITIVE AGENTS

Fillers: - to improve mechanical properties and reduce cost. :

to improve strength, stiffness, toughness; reduce
shrinkage & weight

Plasticizers: - added in small amount to improve the flow of

plastics during molding.
- To improve flexibility, ductility & toughness of polymers

 
lubricants: waxes, soaps can be added to improve the
moldability of plastics & to facilitate removal of parts
from the mold. Also used to keep thin polymer sheets
from sticking to each other when stacked or rolled.
- ex: fatty acid, fatty alcohol, fatty ester
 
colouring agents: - To classify application of materials

stabilizers: - to protect against atmospheric oxidation or

uv protection
- Ex : carbon
 
 
 
antioxidants: added to retard polymer degradation (heat,
light and oxidation)
 
flame retardants: non flammability is important
Ex : bromin,clorin,antimoni,boron&fosforus
 
antistatic agent: electronic packaging
 
antimicrobial additives: provide long-term protection
from both fungus and bacteria
- because the intermolecular bond strength increases with
reduced separation distance, processing that aligns the
molecules parallel to the applied load can be used to give the
long-chain thermoplastics high strength in a given direction.
This orientation process can be accomplished by stretching,
rolling or extrusion.

- commercial polymers are lightweight, corrosion-resistant

materials with low strength and low stiffness.
- relatively inexpensive, readily formed into a wide range of
useful shapes but not suitable for use at elevated
temperature.

- a group of true engineering plastics has been developed

with improved thermal properties ( up to 350 C), first rate
impact and stress resistance, high rigidity, superior
electrical characteristics, excellent processing properties and
little dimensional change with varying temperature and
humidity
DESIGN AND SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS FOR PLASTICS

PVC pipe & fittings replace copper and brass in

plumbing applications. Plastics replace ceramics in
areas as diverse as sewer pipe and lavatory facilities.
 
The higher cost of the plastic material offset by :
 
a. the ability to be fabricated with lower
tooling costs
 
b. the ability to be molded at the same rate as
product assembly
 c. a possible reduction in assembly operations and
easier assembly operations through snap fits, friction
welds or the use of self-tapping fasteners
 
d. the ability to reuse manufacturing scrap
 
e. reduced finishing costs
 
 
In addition to the traditional application areas of dashboards,

interiors, body panels, and trim, plastics are now being used
for intake manifolds, valve covers, fuel tanks and fuel lines
and fittings.