Principal plastics

Main characteristics of plastics in descending order of their

usage in North America
The first four (PE, PP, PVC and PS) represent 85% in volume
of the plastics market
Name, followed by the abbreviation, structure information,
range of temperature (temperatures at which properties
vary slightly compared to those measured at ambient T)
Properties compared with other plastics (not with metals or
ceramics)
References : "Matriaux plastiques", B. Fisa, B. Sanschagrin (1993)

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Polyethylene
PE, semi-crystalline thermoplastic -50 to 60C
Properties vary with density and molecular weight
HDPE ( = 0.935 to 0.965 g/cm3): high density PE,
moderately rigid, good impact resistance, excellent resistance
to almost all chemicals, sensitive to UVs; vast and numerous
applications engine oil bottles, garbage containers,
buckets and large tanks, handling containers, pipes
LDPE ( = 0.915 to 0.935 g/cm3): low density PE, good
flexibility, good tenacity, less rigid than HDPE; applications
garbage bags, flexible pipes, toys,

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Polyethylene
HMWPE: high molecular weight PE; applications of high
technicality natural gas distribution pipes, gasoline tanks
UHMWPE: ultra high molecular weight (3 to 6x106 g/mol),
highest wear and impact resistance of all plastics;
applications surgery implants for hips, knees
VLDPE and ULDPE: very low and ultra low density PE
(~0.912 g/cm3), flexomers (more branching); used in food
and industrial packaging, films, bags,

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Chain of linear polyethylene

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Chain of branched polyethylene

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Poly(vinyl chloride)
PVC, amorphous thermoplastic, -50 to 60C
Two types: rigid PVC and flexible PVC (plasticized (ex. by
phtalates))
Most fire resistant of commodity polymers
Applications of rigid PVC: piping, gutters, external coatings
of houses, vertical blinds, credit cards, transparent bottles
Applications of flexible PVC: cable sleeving, flooring, leather
imitations, film for packaging, garden hoses, transparent
raincoats

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Chain of poly(vinyl chloride)

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Polypropylene
PP, semi-crystalline thermoplastic, -5 to 100C
Lightest plastic ( = 0.9 g/cm3)
Similar to PE, but better rigidity and better properties at
high T
A little less resistant to chemicals and UVs than PE
Improved properties at high T with the addition of fibers
Ideal for garden furnitures (PP + talc), pumps and
agitators of laundry machines, interior of dishwashers,
ventilators, car bumpers...
Food containers that go from the microwave to the
refrigerator
Transparent films of bi-oriented PP are used for the
packaging of products (ex. cigarettes, records, books)
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Polystyrene
PS, amorphous thermoplastic, up to 60C
Transparent and rigid plastic
Poor resistance to UVs, can be attacked by many
organic solvents
Copolymers: SAN (styrene-acrylonitrile) and SMA (styrenemaleic anhydride): more resistant to chemical products and
have better properties at high T
HIPS: PS + polybutadiene, ABS: SAN + polybutadiene
Various uses: PS + HIPS disposable glasses and
utensils, packaging materials, toys, disposable razors
Foamed PS: used as heat insulator and for packaging
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Polystyrene
SAN: transparent components, domestic apparels (food
processers, blenders, etc.), video cassettes
ABS: telephones, luggage, small chrome parts (handles of
tap, etc.), radio and T.V. cases, interior of refrigerators,
etc.

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Phenolics
PF, amorphous thermosets, up to 170C
Hard and fragile plastic, always used with high
concentrations of fillers or reinforcements (wood flour,
mica, etc.)
Rigid, dark color, excellent behavior in T, fire resistant
Used in electrical components which have to support or to
function at high T (relays), pump components, domestic
irons, disk breaks, handle of pans and cauldrons, etc.
Applications in glass fiber composites (transport) and
Kevlar composites (planes) because of its resistance to fire

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Aminoplasts
UF and MF, amorphous thermosets, up to 120C
Thermoset plastics, whites, properties similar to phenolics
Urea formaldehyde (UF) is used to manufacture
components of clear color electrical parts
Melamine formaldehyde (MF) is used to manufacture
hospital and camping dishware

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Polyurethanes
PU, thermoplastics or thermosets, amorphous or
crystalline, up to 150C
Very large variety of linear or cross-linked polymers
Used to manufacture
Flexible foams (for stuffing furniture, mattress, carpet
backing, sponges)
Rigid foams (heat insulation)
Computer cases
Truck cabins
Office furniture
Furniture casters
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Poly(methyl methacrylate)
PMMA, amorphous thermoplastic, up to 70C
Most transparent of all plastics
Fragile, very resistant to UV, poor chemical resistance,
especially to organic products
The majority of its applications emphasizes on optical
properties light wells, port-holes and plane cockpits,
lenses of cameras, rear and position lights of cars, watch
glass, signs, etc.
Most recent applications: whirlpools, shower cubicles where
the external layer is PMMA. The other parts are mainly
manufactured with unsaturated polyester reinforced with
glass fiber
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Nylons (or polyamides)

PA, semi-crystalline thermoplastics, -50 to 130C
There are several similar polymers (nylon 6,6, nylon 6,
nylon 11, nylon 12) the numbers identify the monomers
used in the synthesis
Two monomers, each containing 6 carbons for nylon 6,6,
one monomer of 12 carbon atoms for nylon 12, etc.
More rigid and resistant than PP, good fatigue resistance,
excellent friction properties
The already good impact resistance can be improved by
the addition of rubber
Behavior in T and rigidity can be improved by the addition
of glass or carbon fibers
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Nylons (or polyamides)

Absorb moisture modify their properties
Technical applications like gears, ventilators, parts going
under car hoods (radiator tanks)
Tennis rackets, components of cameras and numerous
industrial machines (pumps, printers, valves, ball bearing
cages, etc.)
Skates, manual tool cases (circular saw, drilling machines,
etc.), bicycle wheels

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Chain of nylon

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Polyacetal or polyoxymethylene
POM, semi-crystalline thermoset, -40 to 100C
High rate of crystallinity (~90 to 95%)
Excellent mechanical properties, less sensitive to water
than nylons, excellent wear resistance
Applications similar to those of nylons (gears, pumps, parts
of meters and printers, parts of plumbing, valves and
fittings, etc.)
Materials of choice for parts with elastic fitting: ski
bindings, press stud buttons,

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Saturated polyesters
PBT (polybutadiene terephtalate) or PET
(polyethylene terephtalate), semi-crystalline
thermoplastics, -30 to 120C
Technical plastics similar to nylons
Soft drink bottles are made of amorphous PET

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Ex: Poly(ethylene terephtalate) (PET)

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Unsaturated polyesters
UP, thermosets, up to 100C
Transparent plastics, almost always reinforced with glass
fibers
At ambient T, they are in the liquid state before crosslinking
Production of boat hull parts, automobile coachwork parts,
pressure tanks, whirlpools, shower cabins, parabolic
antennas

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Polyepoxydes
EP, amorphous thermosets, up to 130C
Used in reinforced composites of fiberglass, Kevlar and
carbon
Aerospace applications (structural parts of planes, rockets
and helicopters), electrical applications (printed circuits)
and others (pipes)

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Polycarbonate
PC, amorphous thermoplastic, up to 125C
Transparent, rigid and highly resistant to impact
Applications: helmets, visors, motorcycle and boat
windshields, police shields, windows of counters in banks,
sterilizable dishes and machines, luminaries

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Polytetrafluoroethylene

PTFE, semi-crystalline thermoplastic, -200 to 250C

Example of fluorinated polymers
Outstanding thermal and chemical resistance
Poor creep behavior, low coefficient of friction, expensive
Applications that emphasize on its best properties: pipes,
taps, non-adhesive coatings, cable coatings (rockets and
planes)

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Polytetrafluoroethylene

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Classification of commercial polymers

Hydrocarbonated plastics and elastomers
PE (HDPE, LDPE)
PP
Other polyolefins and copolymers (ex. LLDPE)
Olefin-based rubbers (ex. rubber based on ethylene and
propylene, EPR)
Natural rubber and other polyisoprenes
Rubber derived from butadiene (ex. SBR)
Synthetic elastomers (ex. polyisobutylene)

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Classification of commercial polymers

Other polymers containing carbon atoms on the
backbone
Other macromolecules with its principal chain being
C-C (CH2-CHX, CH2-CY2)
PS and derived polymers (ex. HIPS, ABS)
Acrylic polymers (ex. PMMA, polyacrylonitrile)
Poly(vinyl esters) and derived polymers (ex. PVA, PVAC)
Polymers containing chlorine (ex. PVC)
Polymers containing fluorine (ex. PTFE, fluorocarbonate
copolymers)

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Classification of commercial polymers

Polymers with heterogenous chains
The regular sequence of carbon atoms of the backbone is
interrupted by the presence of other atoms (for example, O
and N)
Polyamides (ex. nylon 6)
Polypeptides polyamides made of amino acids (basis
of natural proteins) (ex. wool, silk)
Polyesters, polyethers and derived polymers (ex.
polyurethane, PC)
Cellulose polymers (ex. cellulose, wood, cellophane)
High temperature and inorganic polymers (ex.
polyimides, conductive polymers)
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Classification of commercial polymers

Thermosets
Phenolics and aminoplasts
Unsaturated polyesters
Polyepoxydes and polyurethanes
Silicone polymers
Diverse thermoset resins

Reference : Textbook of Polymer Science, F.W. Billmeyer (1984)

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Natural polymers
Cellulose

Chitin

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Natural polymers
Starch

Proteins

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