Plastics

About Plastics and Plastic Suppliers Including: Acrylic, Plastic Materials, Polycarbonate & Polypropylene.

Plastics include a broad range of materials that are made from polymer resin. One of the most common types of plastics that manufacturers use to create other materials is thermoplastic material, because it is easily molded and remolded through a heating and cooling process. Once created, these  plastics are manufactured into various plastic items, such as plastic sheets, pipes, profiles, fittings, film and rods. Plastic suppliers involved in this market provide these items to facilities, which use them in further plastic processing like plastic fabrication and precision plastic machining. Because there is such a wide variety of applications in which plastic is used, the options of the chemical properties of plastics available for manufacturing and ways plastic materials are presented are numerous.

One of the most common plastics is ABS, which, because of its chemical and cracking resistance, is useful in applications like aircraft interior components, machine housings and parts, model building, water purification equipment, automotive parts and laboratory equipment. Another, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), has great chemical resistance and is also a useful material to consider for hazardous conditions. Polypropylene (PP) is used in applications that involve gasses, because it is impermeable to many, like oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. This material is particularly suited for heavy duty uses. There are many other types of plastics that are custom created for different operations.

Since the various environments in which plastics are used differ greatly in terms of hazards and safety, it is important to know which plastics are better suited for different applications. Many plastic suppliers can help you with this. Some pipes, such as those that use deal with water, sewage and gas, are quickly corroded and thus lose much valuable time and product. Therefore, it is worthwhile to know the assorted properties of plastic materials before purchase to ensure the best possible performance. Plastics can be fabricated and used for a variety of applications, such as medical equipment, food storage and many domestic housing applications.

The plastic materials sector of the plastics industry is one of the most important in the manufacturing chain, because it affects so many other industries that rely on plastic to create their own goods. Manufacturers that specialize in plastics produce the materials that are used in secondary manufacturing facilities. Plastic materials distributors accommodate their production to the needs of the fabrication and other secondary use manufacturing. It is economically beneficial for secondary facilities to use plastics suppliers, because it eliminates manufacturing steps and allows them to concentrate on producing their own products. In order for any secondary plastics manufacturing facilities to attain materials from a distributor, it is important for them to have in mind specific requirements, such as colors, strength and working temperature range.

Plastic Types

• ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) is a popular family of resins that is strong and resistant to most chemicals and stains. ABS is created by the polymerizing of acrylonitrile and styrene (liquids) and butadiene (a gas).
  
• Acetal is a plastic that is able to replace metal in many mechanical and structural applications. It has good tensile strength and excellent machinability.
  
• Acrylic is made of clear, thermoplastic resins that are found in acrylic acid and natural sources like petroleum.  
  
• Corrugated plastic sheeting is a highly versatile, extruded twin-wall plastic sheet that is durable and able to be cut to produce collapsible signage. Corrugated plastic is an outstanding replacement for poster board in interior applications, since its surface is resistant to most solvents, oils and water and is easily cleaned.
  
• Delrin is an excellent general purpose mechanical engineering plastic that is highly versatile.
  
• Fluoroplastics, such as Teflon, are heat, moisture and wear resistant, and thus are used for many different valve, gasket and bearing applications. Fluoroplastics are flexible thermoplastics.
  
• Phenolic plastic is in the categories of polyester and vinyl ester. It is comprised of phenol and formaldehyde, has the same strength as iso-polyester and is the best material for fire safety.
  
• Plastic manufacturers fabricate goods and components out of plastic.
• Plastic piping is material designed to transport various liquids, such as water, chemicals, oil and fuels. Plastic piping is also used in drainage applications.
  
• Plastic sheeting is created from continual-phase plastic in a form in which the thickness is very low in proportion to the length and width.
  
• Plastic sheets are large, flat pieces of plastic used in manufacturing.
• Plastics are made from polymer resin and are used to make components for almost every industry.
• Polycarbonate has good light transmission and stability and the highest rating of all transparent thermoplastics. Some applications for polycarbonate include electronic housings, machine guards and aircraft panels.
  
• Polypropylene (PP) is a kind of plastic that is very flexible at low temperatures and resistant to chemicals. PP is frequently used for banner materials.
  
• Polystyrene is used for such things as packaging, automotive and lighting because of its very good electrical properties and machinability.
  
• Polyurethane is used for bumpers, gears, gaskets and roll covers. Polyurethane is a tough and durable plastic that has good abrasion resistance and a high flex-life.
  
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a very strong thermoplastic that is resistant to acids, water and abrasion.

Plastic Terms

Additive - A substance that is added to a resin to enrich particular characteristics.
 
Aging - The chemical and physical changes a material undergoes over time, due to environmental forces that will deteriorate or improve the material.
 
Alloys - Combinations of polymers or copolymers with other elastomers or polymers.
 
Binder - A resin or other substance that unites particles. Binders supply mechanical strength and guarantee solidification, consistent uniformity or adhesion to a surface coating.
 
Clarity - The lack of cloudiness in a plastic material.
 
Composite - A plastic structural substance that is comprised of a blending of materials.
 
Compressive Strength - The capacity of a plastic material to withstand crushing forces.
 
Copolymer - Different monomers that chemically react with one another, resulting in a compound.
 
Cure - The process of altering properties of polymers into a state of greater stability and usability. Curing is achieved through radiation, heat or reaction with chemical additives.
 
Cure Cycle - The period of time at set conditions in which a reacting thermosetting material is cured.
 
Discoloration - A change in the original color of a plastic material due to environmental conditions, such as light exposure and chemical attack.
 
Forming - The procedure in which an existing plastic shape is changed into another one.
 
Hygroscopic - The tendency of certain plastic materials to absorb water.
 
Masterbatch - A concentration of material in a base polymer, such as pigments, additives and fillers.
 
Opaque - Plastic materials that will not transmit light.
 
Plasticizer - A high-boil organic or liquid low-melt solid, the addition of which gives flexibility to hard plastics. Plasticizers differ in their solvating capabilities and softening actions, due to the reduction of intermolecular pressures in the polymer.
 
Plastisol - A blend of resins and plasticizers that can be transformed into continuous films through the application of heat.
 
Polymer - A synthetic or natural compound of high molecular weight, which is comprised of long chains of repeating units, each relatively light and simple, including polyethylene and elastomer.
 
Reinforced Plastics - Plastic materials with increased mechanical properties, resulting from the embedding of high strength fillers in the composition.
 
Resin - A solid or pseudosolid organic material that typically has a high molecular weight with a propensity to flow when stress is applied and generally has a melting or softening range.
 
Surfactants - Chemicals that permit the formation of a close mixture or emulsion of usually mismatched substances by the alteration of the surface characteristics and the manipulation of the flowing and wetting characteristics of liquids.
 
Thermosets - Plastic compounds or resins that in their last stage are insolvable and infusible. After curing is complete, thermosets cannot be softened through heat.
 
Virgin Material - Plastic material, such as granules, pellets, floc or liquid, that has not had any processing applied to it other than what is needed for initial manufacturing.