Plastic types
Plastics are now an indispensable part of our daily lives. They are used as replacements for traditional materials because they are lighter, stronger, and cheaper in the long run. Below is a brief explanation of how plastics were developed, the different types of plastics, and their various applications.
Development
As early as the 17th and 18th centuries, scientists attempted to mimic natural products. However, plastic was first discovered in 1909 by L.H. Baekeland, who discovered the plastic type Bakelite (a thermoset). Thus, plastic is a relatively young material.
What are plastics?
Plastics are not natural substances but chemical compounds produced through chemical processes. They are therefore produced in an ‘artificial’ way. The raw materials for plastic do come from nature, namely petroleum and natural gas. For example, plastic is made by breaking down crude oil (petroleum) and rearranging its components. This method creates new synthetic plastics with extraordinary properties. These plastics are light, durable, and can be molded into almost any shape through injection molding, pressing, or extrusion.
What are the different types of plastics?
Broadly, there are three types of plastics:
- Thermoplastics
Thermosets
Elastomers
Thermoplastics are ‘plastic,’ meaning they are deformable. Thermoplastics soften and melt where they are heated, allowing them to be pressed or molded into a specific shape. Once cooled, the material retains this shape. When not heated, these plastics can also be sawed and milled. Examples of thermoplastics are:
These plastics are wear-resistant, light, and reusable. They also have high chemical resistance, making them suitable for the chemical industry. These plastics are excellent for pipes, tubes, and tanks. It is also possible to reinforce plastics, for example, with glass fibers or plastic fibers.
Thermosets are ‘hard plastics.’ This means they can be molded into shape once. When thermosets are reheated, these plastics will not change shape. The reason for this difference is due to the difference in structure. Examples of thermosets are:
- PUR
- Fenolhars
- Melaminehars
- Polyesterhars
- Vinylesterhars
Applications of plastics
Plastics have a very wide range of applications. Over the years, plastics have proven that they can replace other traditional materials such as wood, stone, leather, metal, and glass. Curious about which plastic is best for your application? Contact us. We are happy to assist you further.
