Plastics are widely used in building construction and materials. They are used for roofing materials, cladding panels, sound and thermal insulation, decorative laminates, adhesives and sealants, and more. Plastics provide advantages over traditional materials like being lightweight, resistant to rot and weather, and requiring little maintenance. Common plastics used in buildings include polycarbonate, PVC, polystyrene, and foams for insulation. While plastics have advantages, they can also soften at high temperatures or become brittle in cold.

1. As A Building Material
AAERT_SID INTERIOR MATERIAL & TECHNOLOGY-1 SEM.- 01

2. Background
Plastics are said to be the most versatile materials on earth.
Almost all of the products we use in our daily lives containAlmost all of the products we use in our daily lives contain
plastics. This display chronicles some of the key discoveries,
inventions, and people that have helped make the plastics
The use of plastics materials in buildings, both for
industry what it is today.
construction and decoration, continues to increase,
particularly as architects, designers and builders appreciate
their advantages in construction terms and in the provision oftheir advantages in construction terms and in the provision of
so called ‘maintenance free’ structures. Today, plastics
materials are so widely used in the building industry that itmaterials are so widely used in the building industry that it
would be difficult to envisage the construction of any building
without them. Many products are available which meet the
various building and fire regulations. Some of the areas in
which these materials are used are listed in table 1.

3. Table 1. Application of plastics and rubbers in building
Adhesives Anti-vibration Decorative laminates
Sealants
Roofing materials
mountings
Window frames
Geotextiles for
earthworksg
Waterproof
membranes
Glazing
Pipes and gutters
Laminates for
formwork
Floor coverings
Sound insulation
Drainage systems
Fascia boards
Laminates for
decoration
Sound insulation
Thermal insulation
Fascia boards
Cladding panels
Flexible foams for
upholstery
Fibres for carpets
and fabrics
Paints and varnishes

4. Chart 1. Commercial Use of plastics

5. Classification of Plastics:
There are two main groups of Plastics:
1. THERMOPLASTICS 2. THERMOSETTING PLASTICS
High Density Polythene
Low Density Polythene
Epoxy Resin
Polyester Resin
Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC)
Polystyrene
Polypropylene
Glass Reinforced Plastic
Carbon Fibre Plastic
Melamine FormaldehydePolypropylene
Acrylo-nitrile (Nylon)
ABS
Melamine Formaldehyde
ABS
Poly Vinyl Acetate (PVA)
Acrylic (Perspex)
Elastomers

6. High Density Polythene:
HDPE is used for Buckets, Basins,
Bottles, Containers and is extensively
used in both Blow molding & Injectiong j
molding process.
Properties:Properties:
Tough, Feels Waxy, Resistant to
Chemicals
Most LDPE application is film based.
Low Density Polythene:
Most LDPE application is film based.
Industry uses also include wire &
cables’ coating, injection & Blow
molding is used for plastic bagsmolding is used for plastic bags,
Bottles.
Properties:Properties:
Soft, Flexible, Good Electrical insulator.

7. PVC is used for Gutters Drain Pipes
Polyvinyl Chloride:
PVC is used for Gutters, Drain Pipes,
Window/Door Frames & Shutters,
Plumbing Fixtures, Furniture
i t t It i ft d iequipments, etc…It is often used in
the Extrusion Process (larger length
possible).
Properties:
Rigid, Water & Weather Resistant,
Light Weight, Ease of fabrication &g g ,
Installation.
Polystyrene:
It is used extensively in the
Packaging Industry. It is also widely
i I l t B ildi i
y y
use in Insulate Buildings, in
Refrigerators, etc…
Properties:
Soft, Lightweight, Good Insulator,
Water resistance.

8. Acrylic:
Acrylic is used for Bath’s Fixtures &
Sanitary wares, Lighting, Display
Stands.
Properties:
Stiff Hard Brittle Scratches easilyStiff, Hard, Brittle, Scratches easily.
It is generally used as a waterproof
Epoxy Resin:
adhesive of as a liquid for casting.
Properties:
Strong (When Reinforced), Clear.

9. I i l k F i i
Melamine Formaldehyde:
It is commonly known as Formica is a
composite material made from resin
and layers of paper, commonly used
for worktops.
Properties:p
Clarity, Stability to Heat, Light,
Chemicals, Abrasion and Fire.
It is a composite material made from
Glass Reinforced Plastic:
Resin and Glass Fiber Sheet. This
combination produces a lightweight
yet extremely strong material andy y g
used everywhere from Speed boat
hulls to Aircrafts, Roofing sheets, etc..
Properties:Properties:
Very Strong, Lightweight, Easily
workable.

10. El l i i h l i
Elastomers:
Elastomers are plastics with elastic
properties, most are capable of
considerable deformation and will
return to their original shape. Uses
range from waterproof seals to foam
padding.p g
Properties:
Flexible Waterproof Heat resistantFlexible, Waterproof, Heat resistant.

11. Disadvantages of Plastic as Building material:
Two general types PLASTIC
Thermoplastics (melt, deform, vaporize – burns very fast)p ( , , p y )
Thermosets (decomposes, loose strength under heat but
will not melt, only burns with extreme temps)
Fi i l i l tiFires involving plastics…
Burn fast
Very intense heatVery intense heat
Dense black smoke
Extremely toxic
UV light will weaken certain plastics and produce a chalky
faded appearance on the exposed surface.
One disadvantage of plastics materials is their tendency toOne disadvantage of plastics materials is their tendency to
soften at elevated temperatures. This has restricted their use
as main structural elements and also in hot water systems.
Cold can cause some plastics to become brittle and fracture
under pressure.

12. The Monsanto House of the Future was constructed at Disneyland in 1957. The
frame and structure of the house were 100% plastic. The house had four
cantilevered wings floating above beautifully landscaped grounds and waterfallscantilevered wings floating above beautifully landscaped grounds and waterfalls.
Like many concept designs, Monsanto’s House of the Future was never mass
produced. However, today the building and construction industry is one of the
largest and fastest growing markets for plasticslargest and fastest growing markets for plastics.
USES

13. USES

14. USES

15. Plastic as a Roofing Systems:
Corrugated plastic sheeting has
been used for roofing in
conservatories and buildings whereconservatories and buildings where
transparent panels have been
required. However, in more recent
ti d bl d t i l ll dtimes double and triple walled
polycarbonate sheeting has become
increasingly used, since this
provides not only diffuse daylight for
illumination but also heat insulation
and hence reduced heating costs.g

16. Twin or triple walled polycarbonate:
Provides a number of advantages
during installation since it can be
cut with conventional tools, is rigid
to handle, does not require closely
spaced supports is light in weightspaced supports, is light in weight
and can be easily fitted. In
addition, it can be cold formed or
thermoformed into a variety of
shapes to provide attractive and
f ti l d f Edfunctional curved surfaces. Edges
and joints can be sealed to
prevent draughts Another majorprevent draughts. Another major
advantage is its resistance to
breakage.

17. Cladding Panels:
UPVC products are now frequently used
in place of the more traditional products
for external cladding panels fascia andfor external cladding panels, fascia and
soft boards, particularly on new
buildings. Some of the advantages
ff d b UPVC li ht i htoffered by UPVC are lighter weight,
resistance to rot, lack of warp and lack of
need for regular maintenance painting.
Products are available in a variety of
colours, including wood grain finishes.
These may be of solid UPVC, doubleThese may be of solid UPVC, double
skin or foam filled double skin
construction.
Fixing of UPVC products due allowanceFixing of UPVC products- due allowance
must be made for expansion and
contraction to prevent buckling of the
sheets due to the heating effect of
sunlight.

18. Sound Insulation:
Sound within buildings may be general
noise transmitted through walls and floors
or a specific noise from vibratingp g
machinery. The latter can be dealt with by
using vibration mounts as mentioned
above Air-borne noise can also presentabove. Air borne noise can also present
problems and must be taken into account
when designing sound insulation systems.
With general noise, the traditional method
was to build very thick and heavy wallsy y
and floors. However, as buildings have
become lighter, other methods of sound
reduction have become necessary As areduction have become necessary. As a
general principle, sound insulation can be
provided by either a simple and heavy or
a light and complex construction which isa light and complex construction, which is
now replaced by the rubber and plastics
materials.

19. Thermal Insulation:
As well as sound insulation, buildings
need thermal insulation also. This can be
met by using light weight aeratedy g g g
concrete building blocks during the
construction of the building or by
incorporating foamed plastic sheetingincorporating foamed plastic sheeting
within the structure. Typical foamed
plastics include rigid polyurethane foam
and expanded polystyrene althoughand expanded polystyrene, although
various other foamed plastics may also be
used.
Plasterboard can be readily obtained with
a 25 mm foamed polystyrene backing.
Other composite sheet building productsp g p
can be obtained with polyurethane foam
cores. They can be kept clean with very
little effortlittle effort.

20. Plastic Decorative Laminates:
The normal structure of a plastic
decorative laminate includes a
sheet of decorative papersheet of decorative paper
impregnated (saturated) with one
or more resins.
Plastic decorative laminates have
a wide range of uses, they can be
used in the furniture industry fory
kitchen cabinet counters,
bookshelves and door linings,
among many other things In theamong many other things. In the
building industry they can be used
for partitions screens in order to
divide space in offices housesdivide space in offices, houses,
etc...

21. Plastic Adhesives & Sealants:
There are also water-based
versions that can provide betterp
heat resistance.
Generally solvent-based, these cost
ff ti filli dh ieffective, gap-filling adhesives are
suitable for bonding sheet flooring,
adhering skirtings and architraves,
signs and wall panels.
They have good adhesion to most
substrates (especially poroussubstrates (especially porous
materials such as wood, concrete,
brick and plasterboard).
Sealants- create a flexible, durable
bond which is vibration- and shock-
resistantresistant.