This document discusses plastics and their uses in construction. It provides information on how plastics are produced from petroleum products and can be thermoplastics or thermosets. Around 19% of non-fibre plastics are used in construction for products like insulation, flooring, windows, and pipes. Common plastics used in construction include PVC, polyethylene, and polyurethane. The document also outlines various properties of plastics that make them suitable for construction applications like light weight, durability, insulation, and resistance to chemicals.

1. UNIT III
COMPOSITES AND OTHER
MATERIALS
IM4005
Modern Construction Materials And
Technology
R.T Ezhil Thalapathi M.Tech
ezhilthalapathi@gmail.com

2. Syllabus

3. PLASTICS AND THEIR USE IN
CONSTRUCTION
• Around one fifth of all plastics are
used in construction.
• Plastics are synthetic, organic
polymers.
• To create polymers, petroleum and
other products are heated under
controlled conditions and broken
down into smaller molecules
called monomers.
• These monomers are the building
blocks for polymers.
• Different combinations of
monomers produce plastic resins
with different characteristics, such
as strength or molding capability.

4. PLASTICS AND THEIR USE IN
CONSTRUCTION(CONTD..,)
• The vast majority of monomers used to make plastics, such as
ethylene and propylene, are derived from fossil hydrocarbons.
• Plastics are typically divided into thermoplastics that can be
remolded into new products after their initial use and thermosets
that can be melted and shaped only once.
• Other classifications may be made on the basis of the chemical
structure of plastics, their physical properties or the chemical
process required for their manufacturing.

5. PLASTICS AND THEIR USE IN
CONSTRUCTION(CONTD..,)
• Plastics are light, versatile and usually cheap
to purchase.
• Plastics can be made from fossil or non-fossil
raw materials.
• Both fossil and non-fossil plastics may be
biodegradable.

6. Production and use of plastics.
• Approximately 8,300 Mt of virgin
plastics have been produced to
date.
• This amount mainly consists of
polyethylene (PE), polypropylene
(PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC),
polyethylene terephthalate
(PET), polyurethane (PU),
polystyrene (PS), and polyester
(PES). It is estimated that some
30% of this material stock is
currently in use.
• About 60% of all plastics
produced have been discarded
and are accumulating in landfills
and in natural environment.
• The rest has been incinerated or
recycled

7. Production and use of plastics
(Contd..,)
• Approximately 42% of all non-fibre
plastics have been used for
packaging.
• The building and construction sector
is the next largest consumer,
accounting for 19% of all non fibre
plastics.
• With regard to some plastic types,
construction uses the majority of all
production.
• For example, 69% of all PVC is used
in construction. In addition, PEs, PPs,
PS-E (polystyrene expandable) and
polyurethane are typical plastics
used in buildings

8. Production and use of plastics
(Contd..,)
• Plastics are used in building products
and materials, such as insulation
products, products of damp proofing,
floorings, and roofing, windows, and
laminated surfaces of kitchen and
other fitments.
• Buildings also include several building
service installations and devices that
contain plastics are made of plastics,
such as pipes.
• In addition to the plastics found in
construction products, the product
packaging often contain plastics.
• Plastics are also used during
construction as different kinds of
covers, and in tarpaulins.

9. Production and use of plastics
(Contd..,)
• In addition, paints, varnishes,
waxes, and glues often have
plastics in them.
• Furthermore, plastics are
commonly used in furniture (e.g.
cushions, textiles, glues, surface
treatments) and in white goods
(refrigerators, washing machines,
kitchen appliances, media devices
etc.).
• All these add to the total sum of
plastics used in the construction
sector and in buildings.

10. Benefits and Concerns Associated With
the use of Plastics
• Plastics have many advantageous properties that are essential for modern
construction technology.
• They may be light in weight and offer good durability in suitable environments.
• Plastics help to achieve good thermal, moisture and gas insulation performance,
which offer benefits for improving the building physical performance.
• Their electric insulation properties and fire resistance make plastics important for
the production of electric appliances.
• During construction and renovation processes, plastic tarpaulins and temporary
covers help to protect the construction from exposure to weather and dirt.

11. Uses of plastics in facade panels
• Sandwich panels covering with PVC (polyvinyl Chloride), plasticized
plates and polyurethane foams.
• Sandwich panels - asbestos cement covering and polyurethane foam
core
• Sandwich panel – polystyrene foam core and various coverings
• Sandwich panel – covering with polyester laminated sheet and
polyurethane foam core
• Sandwich panel – Enameled iron covering and polyurethane foam
core.
• Sandwich panel – covering with polyester laminated sheet glued to
asbestos cement and polyesterene foam core.

12. Uses of plastics in Exterior covering
• Polyester coated concrete by
moulding from an existing plates.
• Sprayed polyurethane with sand
and gravel agglomeration.
• Epoxy resins and polyesters on
various supporting media
• PVC plasticized plates (spraying,
coating or adhesive films)
• Polyester epidermis available as
permanent shuttering

13. Uses of plastics in Weather Boarding
• Polyester
• PVC
• Polymethyl methacrylate

14. Windows
• PVC casing on metal moulding
• Polyester laminated sheet on
wooden moulding
• PVC – chlorinated polyethylene
compound
• Methyl polymethacrylate
• Polyester glass fibre and
phenolic foam core
• PVC/ wood

15. Rolling Shutters
• Plasticized PVC extruded sections
• Rigid PVC extruded sections
• Polyamide winding gear
• Blinds and sunscreens
• Polyester, PVC

16. Uses of Plastics in Interior Covering
a) Wall Lining
• Adhering films – vinyl coated fabrics or paper vinyl sheet doubling
on fabric or paper etc.
• Sprayed lining polyurethane
• Laminate - Melamine and phenolic plastics – polyester
• Wall tiles – polystyrene, PVC – tiles or mosaic
• Coating – polyvinyl acetate

17. Uses of Plastics in Interior Covering
• b) Floor Covering
• Asbestos plastic slabs (asphalt tile type)
• Vinyl asbestos slabs
• Homogeneous semi-flexible vinyl slabs
• Flexible, homogeneous or multi-layered vinyl slabs.
• Homogeneous vinyl carpets (a) stuck, (b) laid
• Vinyl carpets on felt (applied or coating)
• Multi-layered coating with cellular structure on fabrics
• Multi layered coating on cork structure
• Vinyl carpets on jute cloth.
• Thermosetting resin based covering
• Rubber covering
• Synthetic fibre tensile covering (polyamides, viscose etc.)

18. Ceilings and Counter Ceilings
• Translucent – polyester, PVC,
polyamides, polyurethanes
• Opaque, extruded polystyrene
or vinyl copolymers, impact
type polystyrene
• Lighting – PVC,
polymethylmethacrylate

19. Uses of Plastics in Roof Coverings
• Flat or corrugated sheets –
polyester, PVC,
polymethylmethacrylate
• Curved sheets – reinforced polymer
• Domes – polyester,
polymethylmethacrylate
• Casements –
polymethylmethacrylate, reinforced
polyester
• Troughs – class / polyester
• Gutters – Rigid PVC polyester
• Downpipes – PVC

20. Roof Tightness
• Polybutylene with or without glass cloth
armature
• Butyl rubber
• Multilayered bitumen with PVC film screens
and armatures
• PVC sheets
• Welded polyester

21. Uses of Plastics in Sanitary Equipment
• Appliances
• Sinks – polymethylmethacrylate, polyester, polyamides
• Basins – polyester, polymethylmethacrylate – polyester
/ glass fibre
• Baths – polyester, polymethylmethacrylate
• Showers – polymethylmethacrylate, polyester
• Pipeworks – PVC, phenolics, ABS – terpolymer
• Fittings – PVC and ABS – terpolymer – phenolic plastics
• Traps – polyamides
• Water – finishings – polystyrene and copolymers,
polymer and copolymers, polyethylene

22. Insulation
• Insulation materials and application of
foamsPolystyrene
• PVC
• Phenolic
• Formaldehyde urea
• Polyurethane

23. Other Uses of Plastics in Buildings
• Some noteworthy trends in use of plastics are given below:Concrete and
mortar with thermosetting resin bending agents
• Thermoplastic and thermosetting resin covering applicable to facades and
concrete epidermis
• New roof covering and roof tightening materials (accessory covering
materials, tightness network), easy to place and standing up well to
normal to wear
• Large foam component units and new shaping techniques
• Developing techniques for quick shaping of plastic into large components
• Assembling and fixing processes more suitable for plastics
• New developments in sanitary equipment and piping, applying
thermoplastic and thermosetting resins.
• New developments in the way of shuttering and of elements in permanent
shuttering

24. Uses of Plastics in Building
Construction
No
Plastic Material
Uses
Form in which
it is commonly
used
Normal colour
1
Expanded
polystyrene
Thermal
insulation
Thin sheets in
slabs 12mm
thick
White
2
Expanded polyvinyl
chloride (PVC)
Thermal
insulation
Boards 20 to
50 mm thick
Yellow brown
3
Foamed urea
formaldehyde
Thermal
insulation
Foamed in situ White
4
Foamed phenol
formaldehyde
Thermal
insulation
Sheets and
blocks
Deep red
5
Foamed
polyurethane
Thermal
insulation
Sheets and
blocks or
foamed in situ
Brown

25. Uses of Plastics in Building
Construction(contd..,)
No
Plastic Material
Uses
Form in which it
is commonly used
Normal
colour
6 Expanded ebonite Thermal insulation Sheets
Brown or
black
7 Polythene
Damp-proofing,
plumbing
Thin sheets,
pipes, cisterns
Transparent
to black
8 Polypropylene
Domestic drainage,
but water overflow
tanks
9 Unplasticised PVC
Rainwater goods,
ventilation, ducts,
pipes of water mains
10 Acrylic resins Sinks and baths Various

26. Uses of Plastics in Building
Construction(contd..,)
No
Plastic Material
Uses
Form in which it
is commonly used
Normal
colour
11 Nylon
Cold water fittings,
window furniture
Various
12 Phenolic resins
Adhesives for
laminates
Dark
13 Melamine Laminates Sheets Many

27. Properties of Plastics as a
Construction Material
• Each plastic material has its own peculiar
properties to suit its particular uses.
• The success of plastic as an engineering
material will depends up on the selection of
variety of plastic.
Following are the general properties of plastic.
• Appearance
• Chemical resistance
• Dimensional stability
• Ductility
• Durability
• Electric insulation
• Finishing
• Fire resistance
• Fixing
• Humidity
• Maintenance
• Melting point
• Optical property
• Recycling
• Sound absorption
• Strength
• Thermal property
• Weather resistance
• Weight

28. 1.Appearance of Plastics
• In the market there are so many types of
models of plastics are available such as
transparent, colored etc. suitable pigments
are added in the process of manufacturing of
plastic material to get these different
properties. So, these will give good
appearance to the structure and makes it
attractive.

29. 2.Chemical Resistance of Plastics
• Plastics offer great resistance against
chemicals and solvents. Chemical composition
of plastics during manufacturing will decide
the degree of chemical resistance. Most of the
plastics available in the market offer great
corrosion resistance. So, corrosive metals are
replaced by plastic in the case of water
carrying pipes, etc.

30. 3.Dimensional Stability
• Thermo-plastic types of plastics can be easily
reshaped and reused. But in the case of
thermo-setting type plastics, it is not possible
to reshape or remold the material.

31. 4.Ductility of Plastics
• Ductile nature of plastic is very low. When
tensile stress are acting on plastic member
they may fail without any prior indication.

32. 5.Durability of Plastics
• Plastics with sufficient surface hardness are
having good durability. Sometimes, plastics
may affected by termites and rodents
especially in the case of thermo-plastic types,
however it is not a serious problem because of
no nutrition values in plastic.

33. 6.Electric Insulation
• Plastics are good electric insulators. So they
are used as linings for electric cables and for
electronics tools.

34. 7.Finishing
• Any type of finishing treatment van be given
to the plastics. Mass production of plastic
particles with uniformity of surface finish is
done by having technical control during
manufacturing.

35. 8.Fire Resistance
• The resistance to temperature or fire for
varieties of plastics considerably varies
depending upon the structure. Plastics made
of cellulose acetate are burnt slowly. PVC
made plastics do not catch fire easily. Plastics
made of phenol formaldehyde and urea
formaldehyde are fire proof materials.

36. 9.Fixing
• Fixing of plastic materials is so easy. We can
bolt, drill or glued to fix plastic material
position.

37. 10.Humidity
• The plastics made up of cellulosic materials
are affected by the presence of moisture. The
plastics made of poly vinyl chloride (PVC
pipes) offers great resistance against moisture.

38. 11.Maintenance
• Maintaining of plastics are so simple. Because
they do not need any surface finishing coats
or paints etc.

39. 12.Melting Point
• Generally plastics have very low melting point.
Some plastics may melt at just 50oC. So, they
cannot be used in the positions of high
temperature. Thermo setting type of plastics
are having high melting point than thermo
plastic type plastics. However, thermo setting
types are cannot used for recycling. To
improve the heat resistance of the plastics,
glass fiber reinforcement is provided in its
structure.

40. 13.Optical Property
• There are so many types of plastics. Some
plastics are transparent which allows light in
its original direction and some are translucent
nothing but semi-transparent which allows
light but changes light rays direction.

41. 14.Recycling of Plastics
• Disposal of plastics in the environment causes
severe pollution. But it is not a serious
problem because of its recycling property. We
can use plastic waste disposal conveniently to
produce drainage pipes, fencing, hand rails,
carpets, benches etc.

42. 15.Sound Absorption
• By the saturation of phenolic resins we can
produce acoustic boards. These acoustic
boards are sound absorbents and provide
sound insulation. Generally for theatres,
seminar halls this type of acoustic ceilings are
used.

43. 16. Strength
• Practically we can say that plastic is strong
material but ideal section of plastic which is
useful for structural component is not designed
yet. Generally by reinforcing fibrous material into
plastic improves its strength. If the strength to
weight ratio of plastic is same as metals, then
also we cannot give preference to plastics
because of various reasons like, heavy cost, creep
failure may occur, poor stiffness and sensitive
against temperature.

44. 17.Thermal Property
• The thermal conductivity of plastics is very
low and is similar to wood. So, foamed and
expanded plastics are used as thermal
insulators.

45. 18. Weather Resistance
• Most of the plastics except some
limited varieties are capable of
resistance against weathering.
But, major problem is plastics
when the plastics are exposed to
sunlight, they are seriously
affected by ultra violet rays and
gets brittle. To prevent this,
plastics are incorporated by fillers
and pigments which helps to
absorb or reflect the UV rays to
surface.

46. 19.Weight of Plastics
• The Plastics have low specific gravity generally
ranges from 1.3 to 1.4. So they are light in
weight and easily transportable to any place in
a large quantity.