Technological University of the Philippines-Cavite

C.Q.T., Avenue Salawag Dasmarinas Cavite

CET-318
TESTING OF MATERIALS

PLASTIC

Submitted by:

Alliah Claire Llanes Aquino

Marlo Zoleta

Submitted to:
ENG’R. Aldrin Dela Cuesta

January , 2019
Introduction
It is very difficult to realise how important plastics have become to our everyday lives. We
always seem to have known these materials, and we tend to take it for granted that they occur
every day and all around us, for example in our clothing, the pen that we write with, the chair
that we sit on or the wrapping of the food that we eat. Look around you; how much plastic do
you see?
So it is sometimes hard to believe that plastics have only been commonly available for about the
last one hundred years. Yet in this time the impact that they have made upon the quality of
ourlives and on the products that we have access to has been enormous. Plastics give us the
possibility of manufacturing well-designed, beautiful products from the very many different
types of plastics materials that are commonly available today. Within manufacturing technology
there is a very high degree of technological understanding of plastics and a range of sophisticated
technological processes that enable us to make them and shape them in numerous ways. This
book aims to show you a little of what can be done

PLASTIC
Plastics are nothing but synthetic organic high polymers. It is important to know the general
outstanding properties of plastics to make best use of this as an engineering material. It should
also be noted that each plastic material has its own peculiar properties to suit the various uses.
Plastics are a family of some twenty different materials each with a different range of properties.
Examples of plastics used in building are:
1. Acrylic
2. Composites
3. Expanded Polystyrene
4. Polycarbonate
5. Polyethylene
6. Polypropylene
7. Polyvinyl Chloride

Plastics are divided into two types:

1. .Thermoplastics-always soften when heated.
2. Thermosetting plastics polymerise-set when mixed with hardener.
 HISTORY OF PLASTIC

1. 1862- Alexander Parkes

-demonstrated Parkesine, his man-made plastic derived from organic cellulose, at the Great
International Exhibition in London, England. Parkesine could be heated and molded into objects
that would retain their shape when cooled.

2. 1868- John Wesley Hyatt

-combined organic cellulose with camphor to create celluloid. In addition to being a substitute
for ivory in billiard balls, celluloid became popular as the substance used to make the
first flexible photographic film for movies and still pictures. Other advances in plastics followed,
using various other organic substances.

3. 1907

the first fully-synthetic, commercially-successful plastic was invented by Leo Hendrik

Baekeland. He called it Bakelite, which was much easier to pronounce than its chemical name:
polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride. Bakelite was made by combining phenol with formal
dehyde under heat to create a condensation reaction that produced the polymer resin Baekeland
called Bakelite.

Prior to the invention of plastic, products were limited by the availability of natural materials tree
gums (rubber). such as wood, metal, glass, pottery (clay), and eventually tree gums (rubber).

PROPERTIES OF PLASTICS:

Strength and Modulus

- For more plastics, strengths are high for short term loading but creep is high and the
modulus of elasticity is low. Some polymer fibers, such as aramid have a very high tensile
strength.

Density

- The density of plastics is generally in the range 900-2200 kg per cubic meter.

Thermal Properties

- The thermal conductivity of plastics is similar to wood, but the thermal capacity is
higher. The coefficient of thermal expansion is often high.
Resistivity

- Generally, plastics are insulators.

Permeability

- Many plastics are more permeable than they look. Polythene sheet actually permits
quite high moisture transmission. Many plastics are highly permeable to gases.

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.

Ductility of Plastics

The quality or state of being flexible; the property of being physically malleable;

the property of something that can be worked,hammered or shaped without

breaking.

USES OF PLASTICS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Flooring

Plastic materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene are used to make
flooring less prone to wear and tear. It also decreases the sound pollution level and can be
cleaned easily.

Roofing

To protect the outer surface of the roof from damage, two layers of different plastic
materials are required. The upper part is made of colored thermoplastic olefin or vinyl while the
lower part consists of polyurethane foam which consumes less energy and keeps the interior of a
house cooler.

Wall

A structural insulated panel (SIP) is a sandwich of expanded polystyrene amidst two slim
layers of oriented strand board. This type of pre-fab, composite wall board can be transferred to
the work place easily for a particular task and provide good support to columns and other
associated essentials during renovation.

Pipes

Commonly made up of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), CPVC, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

(ABS) or polyethylene, plastic pipes are flexible and very light in weight, making them easy to
install. All of these plastic materials are also highly chemical and water resistant, making them
suitable for many extreme environments.

Windows

Polycarbonate is used to manufacture building windows. This plastic material is strong,

clear and very light in weight. Polycarbonate windows are considered more burglar-proof than
regular glass windows

Doors

Some construction projects use doors made from a stiff polyurethane foam core with
a fiber reinforced plastic coating. The sandwich structure of these doors makes them incredibly
strong.

LABORATORY TESTING:

Density and Specific Gravity

These test methods describe the determination of the specific gravity (relative density)
and density of solid plastics in forms such as sheets, rods, tubes, or molded items.

Flexural

These test methods cover the determination of flexural properties of unreinforced and
reinforced plastics, including high-modulus composites and electrical insulating materials in the
form of rectangular bars molded directly or cut from sheets, plates, or molded shapes.

Flexure tests were conducted as per ASTM D790

Compressive

This test method covers the determination of the mechanical properties of unreinforced
and reinforced rigid plastics, including high-modulus composites, when loaded in compression at
relatively low uniform rates of straining or loading.

All specimens were conditioned at room temperature, approximately 24°C, at least 40

hours prior to testing. Each mechanical test was performed under similar temperature conditions
to conditioning

Tensile

This test method covers the determination of the tensile properties of unreinforced and
reinforced plastics in the form of standard dumbbell-shaped test specimens when tested under
defined conditions of pretreatment, temperature, humidity, and testing machine speed.

TYPES OF PLASTICS

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET)

-This plastic is one of the most commonly used on the planet.

-PETE plastics make up 96% of all plastic bottles and containers, yet only 25% of these products
are recycled.

-Polyethylene Terephthalate sometimes absorbs odours and flavours from foods and drinks that
are stored in them. Items made from this plastic are commonly recycled. PET(E) plastic is used
to make many common household items like beverage bottles, medicine jars, rope, clothing and
carpet fibre

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

-HDPE is the most commonly recycled plastic because it will not break under exposure to
extreme heat or cold.

-HDPE products created are recycled in a year. This is a very small dent in the planet’s carbon
footprint.
-High-Density Polyethylene products are very safe and are not known to transmit any chemicals
into foods or drinks. HDPE products are commonly recycled. Items made from this plastic
include containers for milk, motor oil, shampoos and conditioners, soap bottles, detergents, and
bleaches. It is NEVER safe to reuse an HDPE bottle as a food or drink container if it didn’t
originally contain food or drink.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

-PVC is one of the least recycled materials; generally less than 1% of PVC plastic is recycled
each year.

-It has been called the "poison plastic" because it contains numerous toxins and is harmful to our
health and the environment.

-Polyvinyl Chloride is sometimes recycled. PVC is used for all kinds of pipes and tiles, but is
most commonly found in plumbing pipes. This kind of plastic should not come in contact with
food items as it can be harmful if ingested.

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE).

-This plastic tends to be both durable and flexible.

-It does not release harmful chemicals into objects, making it a safe choice for food storage.

-Low-Density Polyethylene is sometimes recycled. It is a very healthy plastic that tends to be

both durable and flexible. Items such as cling-film, sandwich bags, squeezable bottles, and
plastic grocery bags are made from LDPE.

Polypropylene (PP)

-This type of plastic is strong and can usually withstand higher temperatures. That’s why you’re
able to reheat your leftovers in Tupperware without worrying about it melting.

-Polypropylene is occasionally recycled. PP is strong and can usually withstand higher

temperatures. It is used to make lunch boxes, margarine containers, yogurt pots, syrup bottles,
prescription bottles. Plastic bottle caps are often made from PP.

Polystyrene or Styrofoam (PS)

-Since polystyrene is lightweight and easy to form into plastic materials, it also breaks
effortlessly, making it more harmful to the environment.

-Polystyrene is commonly recycled, but is difficult to do. Items such as disposable coffee cups,
plastic food boxes, plastic cutlery and packing foam are made from PS.

Polycarbonate (PC)

Code 7 is used to designate miscellaneous types of plastic not defined by the other six codes.
Polycarbonate and Polylactide are included in this category. These types of plastics are difficult
to recycle. Polycarbonate (PC) is used in baby bottles, compact discs, and medical storage
containers.

RECENT TECHNOLOGY THAT USED

Plastics in the Food Industry

-The food in your refrigerator may be wrapped in PVC cling film, your yogurt is
probably in plastic tubs, cheese in plastic wrap and water and milk in blow-molded plastic
containers.

Plastics in Transport

-Trains, planes, and automobiles — even ships, satellites and space stations all use
plastics extensively. Whatever mode of transport you pick you will find plastic is used
extensively, for example:

1. Seating

2. Paneling

3. Instrument enclosures

4. Surface coverings

Plastics in the Home

-There is a huge percentage of plastic in your television, your sound system, your cell
phone, your vacuum cleaner — and probably plastic foam in your furniture too. What are
you walking on? Your floor covering if it is not real wood probably has a synthetic/natural
fiber blend (just like some of the clothes you wear).
Plastics in the Medical Industry

-As medical technology advances, so does the use of plastics in the medical field. Doctors
use micro injection molded bioabsorbable products such as stents, staples, and polymer drug-
eluting implants. Polymers are also being used as the foundation for “scaffolds” to guide the
regrowth of new tissue.

What are the Fundamental Benefits of Plastics in Construction?

Plastics are easy to install: n Lightweight n Snap fit

Plastics promote energy efficiency in building: n Plastics are low conductors of heat n Tight
seals achievable

Plastics are lightweight: n Easy to transport, manoeuvre and handle n fewer accidents

Plastics offer design freedom: n A limitless array of shapes possible n Products can be
coloured, opaque or transparent, rigid or flexible

Plastics are strong: n Durable, knock and scratch resistant with excellent weatherability n Do
not rot or corrode

Advantages

1. Plastics are strong yet lightweight, and so they are easy to transport & manoeuvre.
2. They are durable, knock-and scratch resistant with excellent weatherability.
3. They do not rot or corrode.
4. Plastics are easy to install; many have a snap-fit kind of jointing procedures.
5. Plastics offer limitless possibilities in design achieved by extrusion, bending, moulding
etc.
6. They can be given any range of colours by adding pigments.
7. The plastics are low conductors of heat and thus are used as insulation materials in green
building concepts.
8. The plastics products can achieve tight seals.
9. They can be sawn and nailed employing standard carpentry tools and skills.
10. They can be easily removed and recycled.
11. They are bad conductors of electricity.
Disadvantages and limitations

1. Plastics may be degraded under the action of direct sunlight which reduces their
mechanical strength.
2. Many plastics are flammable unless treated.
3. High embodied energy content
4. Low modulus of elasticity: makes them unsuitable for load-bearing applications.
5. Thermoplastics are subject to creep and soften at moderate temperatures

REFERENCES

.http://plastiquarian.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/plasticbook.pdf
http://www.bpfshop.com/Downloads/11.pdf
http://www.bpfshop.com/Downloads/11.pdf

https://www.ryedale.gov.uk/attachments/article/690/Different_plastic_polymer_types.pdf