This document provides information on plastics and rubbers, including their composition, classification, and common types. It discusses thermoplastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, and ABS, as well as thermosetting plastics like phenol formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde, and polyurethane. Common rubbers like natural rubber and synthetic rubbers are also outlined. The document aims to inform the reader about the basic properties and applications of important plastic and rubber materials.

1. CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS- VII
PLASTICS & RUBBERS
SUBMITTED TO:
AR. MANISH TRIPATHI
AR. PUNEET SINGH
PRESENTED BY:
ANSH AGARWAL
B.ARCH (4TH YEAR)

2. WHAT ARE PLASTICS?
• Plastic is usually considered to be an amorphous or crystalline polymer which is hard and brittle at ordinary
temperatures.
• It is a material that contains as an essential ingredient, an organic substance of a large molecular weight, is solid
in its finished state.
• Plastics are organic materials, just like wood, paper or wool. The raw materials used to produce plastics are
natural products such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt and, of course, crude oil.
• Two main processes are used to produce plastics - polymerisation and polycondensation - and they both require
specific catalysts.
COMPOSITION OF PLASTICS:
Organic polymers + Carbon + Oxygen + Nitrogen + Sulphur =
Plastic
Where organic polymers may include Chalk, Starch, Ivory dust ,
Wood floor ,Zinc oxide

3. CLASSIFICATION OF PLASTICS:
1. THERMOPLASTICS
2. THERMOSETTING PLASTICS

4. THERMOPLASTICS:
 A thermoplastic material is one which can be
softened and molded on heating.
 They are elastic and flexible above a certain glass
transition temperature.
 They can be recycled.
 Example: Nylon ,it was the first commercial
polymer to be made as a substitute for silk for
making parachutes, vehicle tires, garments, fabrics,
footwear ,etc.
 PROPERTIES:
• It may melt before passing to a gaseous state.
• Allow plastic deformation when it is heated.
• They are brittle and glossy.
• They are soluble in certain solvents.
• Swell in the presence of certain solvents.
• Good resistance to creep.
 TYPES OF THERMOPLASTICS:
• Polythene/polyethylene
• Polypropylene
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• Polymethyl methacrylate (perspex)
• Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

5.  Polyethylene (polythene, polythene, PE) is a
family of similar materials categorized according
to their density and molecular structure.
 It’s the most common plastic, mixture of organic
compounds
• Low strength
• Hardness and rigidity
• High ductility
• Relatively low melting point
• Corrosion resistant (from acids and bases)
• Burns slowly with a blue flame.
• The most important polyethylene grades are:
UHMWPE, HDPE, MDPE, and LDPE.
POLYETHYLENE
 PROPERTIES:
1) ULTRA-HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT PE (UHMWPE):
Tough and resistant to chemicals.
USES:
• Manufacture moving machine parts
• Bearings gears
• Artificial joints
• Some bulletproof vests.

6. • Density 0.926-0.940g/cm3.
• Good shock and drop resistance
• less notch sensitive than HDPE
• stress cracking resistance is also better.
USES:
• Gas pipes and fittings
• Sacks
• Shrink film
• Carrier bags
• Density >= 0.941g/cm3.
• Low degree of branching low tensile strength
USES:
• Milk jugs
• Detergent bottles
• Garbage containers
• water pipes.
• Density 0.910-0.940g/cm3,
• Lower tensile strength, increased ductility
USES:
• Rigid containers
• Plastic film applications.
2) HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HDPE):
3) MEDIUM-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (MDPE):
4) LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (LDPE):

7. POLYPROPYLENE:
• Tough & flexible
• Light weight & durable
• Used as an engineering plastic when copolymerized with
ethylene
• Good resistance to fatigue
• Corrosion resistant & heat resistant
• Resilient to impact and freezing, can be joined by heat
fusion
• Plastic hinges,
• As a dielectric, kettles, food containers, carpets, rugs, ropes,
• PVC alternative
• Electrical cables
• Plastic mouldings (bottle tops, bottles, and fittings)
 PROPERTIES:
 USES:

8. POLYVINYL CHLORIDE PVC :
 Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was one of the first plastics
discovered, and is also one of the most extensively used.
 It is derived from salt (57%) and oil or gas (43%).
 PVC comes in two basic forms: rigid (sometimes abbreviated
as RPVC) and flexible.
 PROPERTIES:
• It is durable, light, strong and fire resistant, with excellent
insulating properties and low permeability.
• By using various additives in the manufacturing process,
features such as strength, rigidity, colour and transparency
can be adjusted to meet specific needs.
 USES:
• Building products, including window frames and other profiles,
• Floor and wall coverings, roofing sheets, linings for tunnels,
• Piping, including water and sewerage pipes and fittings,
• Packaging, pharmaceuticals, food and confectionery,
• Water and fruit juices, labels, presentation trays.
• Automotive applications, including cables, underbody coating and interior trimmings.

9. • Moderate strength
• Easy handling and processing
• Low cost
• Prone to scratching
POLYMETHYLMETHACRYLATE (PERSPEX)
 Shatter resistant which is also called acrylic glass
• Transparent glass substitute
(submersibles, aircraft, riot control,
aquariums)
• Daylight radiation
• Implants
• Acrylic paint
 PROPERTIES:
 USES:

10. ACRYLONITRILE BUTADIENE STYRENE
 Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, or ABS, is an opaque
thermoplastic.
 It is an amorphous polymer comprised of three monomers,
acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene.
 When the three monomers are combined, the acrylonitrile
develops a polar attraction with the other two components,
resulting in a tough and highly durable finished product.
 PROPERTIES:
• The acrylonitrile in ABS provides chemical and thermal
stability, while the butadiene adds toughness
and strength.
• Styrene gives the finished polymer a nice, glossy finish.
• It also has high tensile strength and is very resistant to
physical impacts and chemical corrosion.
• ABS can be easily moulded, sanded and shaped, while
its glossy surface finish is highly compatible with a
wider range of paints and glues.
 USES:
• Sports Equipment.
• Various Automobile Parts
• Toys (For Example. LEGO bricks).

11. THERMOSETTING PLASTICS:
 Thermosetting resins do not become softy on heating
& they never melt once set.
 Example: Bakelite, polyester resin, vulcanized rubber,
epoxy resin.
 PROPERTIES:
• These are soluble in alcohol and certain organic
solvents, when they are in thermo-plastic stage.
• This property is utilized for making paints and
varnishes from these plastics.
• These are durable, strong and hard.
• They are available in a variety of beautiful colours.
• They are mainly used in engineering application of
plastics.
 TYPES OF THERMOSETTING PLASTIC:
• Phenol formaldehyde
• Urea formaldehyde
• Melamine formaldehyde
• Polyurethane
• Silicon resin

12. PHENOL FORMALDEHYDE
 Phenol formaldehyde resins (PF) or phenolic resins are
synthetic polymers obtained by the reaction
of phenol or substituted phenol with formaldehyde.
 Used as the basis for Bakelite , PFs were the first
commercial synthetic resins (plastics).
 PROPERTIES:
• Good dimensional stability
• Rigid, high resistance to heat
• Electricity and chemicals
 USES:
• Laminated panels
• Handles
• Knobs
• Electrical components
• Connectors
• Insulators
• Plyboard Adhesive,
• Particle Board Binder

13. UREA FORMALDEHYDE
 Also known as urea-methanal , so named for its common
synthesis pathway and overall structure, is a nontransparent
thermosetting resin or polymer.
 It is produced from urea and formaldehyde.
 PROPERTIES:
• Very high tensile strength.
• Has the property of flexural modulus.
• Has the property of heat distortion temperature.
• Has the capacity of low water absorption .
• It has the property of mould shrinkage.
• Has a property of high surface hardness.
 USES:
• Textile Treatment
• Electrical Casings
• Tableware
• Decorative worktop laminates
• Plug & switches Buttons
• Paints
• Surface coating

14. MELAMINE FORMALDEHYDE
 This thermosetting plastic material is made
from melamine and formaldehyde.
 PROPERTIES:
• It used to form white board.
• Crockery material
• Used as auxiliaries in textile industries
• Used as cross linkers in tires & rubber industry
• It used as flooring agent
• Melamine used as parts of paints & varnishes • also used as
fertilizer
• It used as flame retardant material
• Used as sound absorbing material
• Decorative Panel
• Table Tops
• Enhance strength and whiting
• Good quality material
• Not cracked easily
 USES:

15. POLYURETHANE
 Polyurethane is a plastic material, which exists in various
forms.
 It can be tailored to be either rigid or flexible, and is the
material of choice for a broad range of end-user
applications.
 PROPERTIES:
• Has considerable physical properties.
• Has low density, flexible, high bio stability, resistance to
fatigue and abrasion and thermally or electrically insulators.
• Chemically stable not attacked by acids, solvents and oils.
• Insulation of refrigerators and freezers, building insulation.
Cushioning for furniture.
• Used in upholstery bedding, automotive and truck seating,
and novel inorganic plant substrates for roof or wall gardens
• Used in footwear
• Used as electronic instrument bezels and structural parts
• Used as straps and bands
• Cast and injection molded components for various markets
 USES:

16. RUBBER
 Rubber is a material, which can stretch and shrink.
 It is a polymer.
 It can be produced from natural sources (e.g. natural
rubber) or can be synthesized on an industrial scale.
Many things are made from rubber, like gloves, tires,
plugs, and masks.
 TYPES OF RUBBER:
• Natural rubber –
A yellowish, amorphous, elastic material obtained from
the latex of various tropical plants, especially the
rubber tree.
• Synthetic rubber -
A material with the mechanical property that it can
undergo elastic deformation under stress and still return
to its previous size without permanent deformation.

17. Rubbers
Synthetic
Rubbers
Natural
Rubbers
Isoprene
Rubbers (IR)
Nitrile
Rubbers
(NBR)
Styrene -
Butadiene
Rubbers (SBR)
Butadien
e
Rubbers
(BR)
Polychloroprene (CR)
Neoprene Rubber
(NR)
Butyl Rubber
(BR)

18. NATURAL RUBBER
 Natural rubber is made up of long isoprene polymer
chains, loosely connected.
 The chains reattach themselves when pulled apart; this
gives rubber its elasticity.
 As opposed to synthetic rubbers, which are made from
petrochemicals, natural rubber is made from the latex
sap of rubber trees
 PROPERTIES:
• Natural rubber has flexibility and strength, as well as
impurities and vulnerability to environmental
conditions and hydrocarbons.
• Compared to other rubbers, natural rubber is one of
the most flexible types, and it’s resistant to water and
certain chemicals.
• It’s also resistant to cutting, tearing.
 USES:
• Tyres, Airbags
• Flooring,Clothing
• Erasers & Paper
• Adhesives and coating

19. SYNTHETIC RUBBER
 Synthetic rubber is a white, crumbly, plastic mass which can
be processed and vulcanized in the same way as natural
rubber.
 Most are obtained by polymerization or polycondensation
of unsaturated monomers
 PROPERTIES:
• Solid , Flexible Durable
• It hardens when its cooled
• It can be molded when heated
• Resistance to light , heat and chemicals
• Heat and electrical insulator
 USES:
• Car tyres
• Flexible rubber toys
• Shoe soles
• Paint
• Tubes and Hoses.