The document summarizes the key steps in the plastic production process: 1) Sourcing of raw materials like crude oil and natural gas. Raw materials are altered before manufacturing. 2) Synthesis of monomers which are combined through chemical reactions to form polymers. 3) Polymerization where many monomers link together to form larger polymer molecules. 4) Incorporation of additives to plastic polymers to provide desired properties and functions. Additives include antioxidants, stabilizers, and pigments.

1. Project 2- Plastics
By
Ana Díaz Sánchez
Ángela Oliva Jiménez
María Osuna Galisteo
Paula Parra García-Bravo

2. Explain the first and the second steps
of the process of obtaining plastics:
•1st sourcing of raw materials;
• Coil, oil and natural gas.
• Before the manufacturing process, raw materials often are altered.
• They can be from
• Crude oil is processed to increase the concentration of metal, then,
additional processes are used to produce the plastic.
STUDENT 1
Animal origin
Plant origin
Mineral origin

3. • 2nd Synthesis of monomers:
• Monomers: structural repeated unit.
• Small subunits that ultimately link together to form larger molecules are
called monomers.
• Monomers are taken from plastics by chemical reactions.

4. ·Explain the following methods of shaping and
finishing plastics. Mention at least one object
that could be made with each technique:
Thermocompression
·Two metals, e.g gold, are brought into contact applying force and heat
simultaneously.
Ashtrays are made by thermocompression

5. Extrusion moulding
• Extrusion moulding is a manufacturing process.
• Granules melt into a liquid.
• Forming a long 'tube like' shape
Hoses are made by extrusion moulding

6. Blow Molding
• Manufacturing process by which hollow plastic parts are formed.
• Begins with melting down the plastic.
• The parison (tube like piece) is then clamped into a mold and air is
blown into it.
Bottles are made by blow molding

7. 3rd Synthesis of the basic polymer
Polymerization: Process in which many monomers are combined.
• Chain-growth polymerization: monomers are added to the chain one at a time
only
• Step-growth polymerization: chains of monomers may combine with one another
directly
STUDENT 2
Explain the third and the fourth steps of the process
of obtaining plastics

8. 4th Incorporation of additives
Additives:
• Materials mixed with polymer to make plastics.
• Additives turn basic polymers in to useful plastics
• Additives make plastics clean and healthy, safe,
work longer, look good…
Some types of additives:
• Antioxidants: to protect the polymer from degradation by ozone or oxygen
• Ultraviolet stabilizers: to protect against weathering
• Plasticizers: to increase the polymer’s flexibility
• Lubricants: to reduce friction problems
• Pigments: to give the plastic colour

9. Explain the following methods of shaping and finishing plastics.
Mention at least one object that could be made with each
technique
• Injection molding: It is the process by which a material is injected into a mould so
it takes the mould’s form.
• Foam molding: It is the process which combines plastics and gas.

10. • Vacuum forming: Sheets of plastic are heated, streched into a single-surface mold
and pressed against a mold by a vacuum.
• Calandering: This process consist of multiple hard pressure rollers used to give
form and smooth a material (plastic)

11. Provide information about the following properties
in plastic material
 Physical properties:
• Electrical conductivity: Ability to transport an electric charge.
• Thermal conductivity: Capacity of a body to store thermal energy.
• Expansion: The size and the temperature increase.
• Density: Mass per unit of volume.
• Melting point: State in which the temperature changes from solid to liquid.
This process depends on pressure.
• Fussibility: State in which a material melts. Refractory materials are those
that melt at high temperatures.
STUDENT 3

12.  Mechanical properties
• Types of stress:
• Traction: Two opposite forces that pull it to the sides
• Compression: Two opposite forces that pull it to the centre.
• Bending: Forces that bend the object.
• Shearing: Deformation of a material in two opposite directions.
• Torsion: Spin around it axis.
• Plasticity: Capacity os a material to undergo a deformation when it is
compressed.
• Elasticity: Flexibility of an object.
• Malleability: Ability to deform a under pressure object.
• Ductility: Ability of a solid material.
• Resistance: Ability to undergo a stress without breaking.
• Hardness: Ability and resistance without scratching.
• Weldability: Ability to join with another materials using heat.

13.  Chemical properties
• Permeability,NO: Property of being permeable.
• Solubility,NO: Ability to mix in a homogeneous mixture.
• Combustibility,YES: Ability to burn.
 Biological properties
• Reciclability,YES: Ability to transform materials into useful objects.
• Toxicity, YES: When a material is affected by toxic substances.
• Biodegradability, NO: Effect of environmental decomposition.
•

14. Plastic materials are classified in three
groups:
 Thermosetting polymer (thermoset):
• Petrochemical material
• Liquid or malleable prior
• Others are solid (molding compound used in semiconductors and
integrated circuits)
STUDENT 4

15.  Thermoplastic (thermosoftening plastic):
• It is a plastic material (polymer)
• High molecular weight
 Elastomers (elastic polymer):
• It has viscoelasticity
• Very weak intermolecular forces

16. Bibliography
• http://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/rawmaterials.asp
• http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/369072/materials-processing
• http://www.finetechusa.com/bonders/technologies/thermocompression.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermocompression_bonding
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer#Polymer_synthesis
• http://www.bpf.co.uk/plastipedia/additives/default.aspx
• www.thomasnet.com/about/thermoset-plastics-61020277.htmls
• www.ehow.com/about_5545184_properties-thermoplastic.html
• www.adhesiveandglue.com/elastomer.html
• www.dupont.com/products-and-services/plastics-polymers-
resins/elastomers/articles/guide-to-elastomer-properties.html