Thermoplastic

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A thermoplastic, or thermosoftening plastic, is any plastic polymer material that

becomes pliable or moldable at a certain elevated temperature and solidifies upon
cooling.[1][2]
Most thermoplastics have a high molecular weight. The polymer chains associate
by intermolecular forces, which weaken rapidly with increased temperature, yielding a
viscous liquid. In this state, thermoplastics may be reshaped, and are typically used to
produce parts by various polymer processing techniques such as injection
molding, compression molding, calendering, and extrusion.[3][4] Thermoplastics differ
from thermosetting polymers (or "thermosets"), which form irreversible chemical
bonds during the curing process. Thermosets do not melt when heated, but typically
decompose and do not reform upon cooling.
 Stress-strain graph of a thermoplastic material
Above its glass transition temperature and below its melting point, the physical
properties of a thermoplastic change drastically without an associated phase change.
Some thermoplastics do not fully crystallize below the glass transition temperature,
retaining some or all of their amorphous characteristics. Amorphous and semi-
amorphous plastics are used when high optical clarity is necessary, as light is scattered
strongly by crystallites larger than its wavelength. Amorphous and semi-amorphous
plastics are less resistant to chemical attack and environmental stress cracking because
they lack a crystalline structure.
Brittleness can be decreased with the addition of plasticizers, which increases the
mobility of amorphous chain segments to effectively lower the glass transition
temperature. Modification of the polymer through copolymerization or through the
addition of non-reactive side chains to monomers before polymerization can also lower
it. Before these techniques were employed, plastic automobile parts would often crack
when exposed to cold temperatures. These are linear or slightly branched long chain
molecules capable of repeatedly softening on heating and hardening on cooling.
Acrylic[edit]
Today's acrylics industry can be divided into two distinct multibillion-dollar markets: on
one hand the polyacrylic acids (PAA) and its ester derivatives (PAc) market, on the
other hand, the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) market.[5] PMMA is also known by
trade names such as Lucite, Perspex and Plexiglas. It serves as a sturdy substitute for
glass for items such as aquariums, buttons, motorcycle helmet visors, aircraft windows,
viewing ports of submersibles, and lenses of exterior lights of automobiles. It is
extensively used to make signs, including lettering and logos. In medicine, it is used in
bone cement and to replace eye lenses. Acrylic paint consists of PMMA particles
suspended in water.
For many decades, PMMA has been the predominant methacrylic ester produced
worldwide. Major players in the PMMA market are Mitsubishi Rayon (Japan), Arkema
SA (France), LG MMA (South Korea), Chi Mei Corp. (Taiwan), Sumimoto Chemical
Company Ltd (Japan), Evonik Industries (Germany), BASF (Germany), Dow Chemical
Company (U.S.), AkzoNobel (The Netherlands), Quinn Plastics (UK) and Cytec
Industries (U.S.). Regarding the PAA and PAc market, key manufacturers are Nippon
Shokubai Company Ltd. (Japan), Arkema SA (France) and Dow Chemical Company
(U.S.)
ABS[edit]
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a terpolymer synthesized
from styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene. ABS is a light-weight
material that exhibits high impact resistance and mechanical toughness. It poses few
risks to human health under normal handling. It is used in many consumer products,
such as toys, appliances, and telephones.
Nylon[edit]
Nylon belongs to a class of polymers called polyamides. It has served as a substitute
mainly for hemp, cotton and silk, in products such as parachutes, cords, sails, flak vests
and clothing. Nylon fibres are useful in making fabrics, rope, carpets and musical
strings, whereas, in bulk form, nylon is used for mechanical parts including machine
screws, gears and power tool casings. In addition, it is used in the manufacture of heat-
resistant composite