2. • Plastics are organic substances formed by
macrocells called polymers.
• These polymers are large groups of monomers
linked by a chemical process called
polymerization.
• Plastics provide the necessary balance of
properties that can not be achieved with other
materials such as: color, lightweight, soft touch
and resistance to environmental and biological
degradation.
3. The properties and characteristics of most
plastics are these:
* Easy to work and shape
* Have a low production cost
* Possess low density
* Tend to be waterproof
* Good electrical insulators
Properties of plastics
Plastics used as insulator
4. Physical an mechanical properties
Rigid plastics
Semi rigid plastics
Soft plastics
elastomers
Classification of plastics
Behavior with respect to heating
• Thermoplastics
Becomes soft when heated , hard when cooled
Shape and reshape is possible
Can be reused
• Thermosetting plastics
Becomes rigid when moulded,at suitable
pressure and temperature
When heated 127c to 177c they set permanently
Soluble in alcohol and other solvents
Durable,strong and hard
Behavior with respect to heating
Physical and mechanical properties
5. Did you know?
• Simple things like combining thermal insulation with tripled
glazed windows can reduce energy consumption by up to 80%.
• Plastics are one of the few materials that can do both jobs.
• Plastic insulation products save over 200 times more energy
over their lifetime than is used for their production and are
roughly 16% more energy efficient than alternative insulation
materials.
• If plastic window frames were installed all over Europe
tomorrow we would eliminate the need for five large power
station.
• Plastics are a source of stored energy and, when not
recycled, can be used to generate heat power at the end of
their useful life. eco-house utilising recycled plastic insulation.
6. Advantages of Plastic
• Plastic materials are light in weight, unbreakable,
odourless and can be easily moulded.
• They have excellent finishing; possess good shock
absorption capacity, high strength as well as toughness.
• The plastics materials are corrosion resistant
• Plastics have water resistant property and possess good
adhesiveness.
• They are strong, durable, good and cheap to produce.
• It is possible to recycle plastic; therefore no
decomposition required which is much more expensive
and hazardous than recycling.
• Plastic can be used in building, construction, electronics,
packing and transportation industries.
7. .
What is Plastic Recycling?
• Plastic recycling is the process of recovering different
types of plastic material in order to reprocess them into
varied other products, unlike their original form.
• An item made out of plastic is recycled into a different
product, which usually cannot be recycled again
8. Stages in Plastic Recycling
1.Sorting: It is necessary that every plastic item is separated
according to its make and type so that it can be processed
accordingly in the shredding machine.
2.Washing: Once the sorting has been done, the plastic waste
needs to be washed properly to remove impurities such as labels
and adhesives. This enhances the quality of the finished product.
3.Shredding: After washing, the plastic waste is loaded into
different conveyer belts that run the waste through the different
shredders. These shredders tear up the plastic into small pellets,
preparing them for recycling into other products.
4.Identification and Classification of Plastic: After shredding, a
proper testing of the plastic pellets is conducted in order to
ascertain their quality and class.
5.Extruding: This involves melting the shredded plastic so that it
can be extruded into pellets, which are then used for making
different types of plastic products.
9.
10. GRADES OF PLASTIC
Grade 1 plastics are made up of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It is
commonly used in beverage bottles, water bottles, medicinal jars and bean
bags.
Grade 2 plastics are made up of high-density polyethylene, or HDPE.
It is extremely safe as it does not leach chemicals into foods or drinks.
It is used in shampoo bottles, milk containers, motor oils, and bleaches.
Grade 3 plastics are made up of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. This plastic
is used in all kinds of pipes and tiles.
Grade 4 is made up of low-density polyethylene, or LDPE. It is used to
make cling wraps, sandwich bags, squeezable bottles and grocery bags.
Grade 5 plastics are made up of polypropylene, or PP. It is used to make
plastic diapers, lunch boxes (Hunger Box), small containers (Munchie Box),
margarine containers, syrup bottle and yogurt boxes.
Grade 6 plastics are made up of polystyrene, also known as PS. This is
basically used to make disposable items like spoons, plates, coffee cups, etc.
Grade 7 plastics are designated for other kinds of plastic which don't
fall under the first six classifications. Plastics like polycarbonate, ABS,
and polylactide fall under this category. Polycarbonate (PC) is used to
make baby bottles, compact disc, and medicinal storages.
11. Packaging
Recycled PET Grade 1 and HDPE Grade 2 is increasingly used in
primary packaging by retailers and branded manufacturers for bottles and
trays.
Household names such as Coca Cola, M&S, Boots, The Body Shop,
Innocent Drinks and Halfords all currently use recycled plastic in selected
product lines.
Use of recycled plastic helps demonstrate a commitment to sustainable
resource use.
Construction
Recycled plastic is widely used in mainstream construction products such
as damp proof membrane, drainage pipes, ducting and flooring.
It is also used in innovative products such as scaffolding boards or
kerbstones, where its durability and weight has significant Health &
Safety benefits.
Landscaping
Walkways, jetties, pontoons, bridges, fences and signs are increasingly
being made from recycled plastic.
Durability, low maintenance, vandal resistance, and its resistance to rot
are all key reasons for plastic being used.
Uses of recycled plastics
12. Use of Plastics in Different Aspectsof the ConstructionIndustry
Flooring
Plastic materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and
polyethylene are used to make flooring less prone to wear
and tear. It also decreases the sound pollution level and
can be cleaned easily.
Roofing
To protect the outer surface of the roof from damage, two
layers of different plastic materials are required. The upper
part is made of colored thermoplastic olefin or vinyl while
the lower part consists of polyurethane foam which
consumes less energy and keeps the interior of a house
cooler.
Insulation
Polyurethane spray is frequently used for
insulation when constructing green or low energy
buildings. Rigid polyurethane foam is known for
its high thermal resistance which promotes
temperature consistency. Polyurethane foam is
also popular because it is lightweight, chemical
resistant, and flame retardant. Due to its closed
cell nature, polyurethane insulation performs as
an air barrier, resulting in significant energy
savings.
13. Wall
A structural insulated panel (SIP) is a sandwich of expanded polystyrene amidst
two slim layers of oriented strand board. This type of pre-fab, composite wall
board can be transferred to the work place easily for a particular task and
provide good support to columns and other associated essentials during
renovation.
Pipes
Commonly made up of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), CPVC, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
(ABS) or polyethylene, plastic pipes are flexible and very light in weight, making them
easy to install. All of these plastic materials are also highly chemical and water
resistant, making them suitable for many extreme environments.
Windows
Polycarbonate is used to manufacture building windows. This plastic material is strong,
clear and very light in weight. Polycarbonate windows are considered more burglar-
proof than regular glass windows. Two plastics materials, vinyl and fiberglass, are
used commonly in the production of window frames. Fiberglass is extremely strong
while vinyl is quite durable and also inexpensive.
14. Some construction projects use doors made from a stiff
polyurethane foam core with a fiber reinforced plastic
(FRP) coating. The sandwich structure of these doors
makes them incredibly strong.
Doors
