Tipos de plásticos con aplicaciones y ejemplos 3ºESO

1. Types of plastics
Aroa Pérez and Alba Vicente 3°B

2. Classification:
● Depending on the structure:
1.Thermosets
2.Thermoplastics
3.Elastomers

3. 1.Thermosets
● PROPERTIES:
○ cross-linked polymers
○ strong bonds
○ shaped using heat
○ not recyclable (can't be remelted).
3 types:
● Melamine
● Bakelite
● Polyester resins

4. Melamine
● PROPERTIES:
○ Resistant to high temperatures
○ Resistant to chemicals
○ easy to clean
● USES:
○ Kitchen utensils

5. Bakelite
● PROPERTIES:
○ Hard and brittle
○ resistant to heat
● USES:
○ handles of kitchen utensils
○ electrical accessories
○ plugs

6. Polyester resins
● PROPERTIES:
○ Rigid and brittle
○ strengthened with fibreglass
● USES:
○ car bodies
○ swimming pools

7. 2.Thermoplastics
● PROPERTIES:
○ softened by heating
○ can be recycled
○ weak bonds
● identified by a number (Ric) depending on the recycling
possibilities
★ 7 types:

8. PET (1)
● PROPERTIES:
○ Fully recyclable
○ resistant to wear
○ high transparency
○ doesn’t emit toxic substances.
● USES:
○ for bottles
○ textiles

9. HDPE (2)
● PROPERTIES:
○ Opaque
○ inflexible
○ resistant to chemicals
○ it isn’t toxic
○ suitable for food
● USES:
○ milk bottles
○ bags
○ containers

10. PVC (3)
● PROPERTIES:
○ resistant to abrasion
○ resistant to impact
● USES:
○ pipes
○ cable insulation
○ profiles for doors or windows

11. LDPE (4)
● PROPERTIES:
○ Soft
○ flexible
○ easily scratched
● USES:
○ bags
○ packaging film

12. PP (5)
● PROPERTIES:
○ Easy to model and dye
○ resistant to solvents and splintering
● USES:
○ Toys
○ Folders
○ Packaging
○ Healthcare equipment
○ Household items

13. PS (6)
● PROPERTIES:
○ Lightweight
○ Breaks easily
● USES:
○ Packaging for dairy products
○ Stationery
○ Toys
● Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) is used for food packaging and thermal
insulation

14. Others (7)
Plastics that are mixtures of different resins (Nylon,Polycarbonate,ABS…)
● USES:
○ 3D printing

15. RIC number
● 1,2,4 and 5
○ Easily recyclable
● 3 and 6
○ Can only be recycled in specialised facilities
● 7
○ Very difficult or impossible to recycle (depending on the resins used)

16. 3.Elastomers
● PROPERTIES:
○ flexible
○ recover shape when forces stop
○ degrade easily
○ can't be remelted
3 Types:
● Rubber
● Neoprene
● Silicones

17. Rubber
Can be naturally occurring or synthetic.
● PROPERTIES:
○ Elasticity
○ return to original shape
● USES:
○ tyres
○ Elastic bands
○ Shoe sales

18. Neoprene
● PROPERTIES:
○ Flexible
○ Insulated
○ waterproof
● USES:
○ Orthopaedic devices
○ Electrical insulation
○ Engine drive belts

19. Silicones
● PROPERTIES:
○ Flexible
○ Soft
○ Very durable
● USES:
○ Joint sealing
○ Electrical insulation
○ Medical prosthesis