PLASTICS AND POLYMERS

Commercially important polymer

 Most Popular and Common Used
Plastic
Acrylic or Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)
well known for its use in optical devices and products,
acrylic is a transparent thermoplastic used as a lightweight,
shatter resistant alternative to glass.
Polycarbonate (PC)
tough, stable, and transparent, polycarbonate is an excellent
engineering plastic that is as clear as glass and two hundred and
fifty times stronger. Thirty times stronger than acrylic, clear
polycarbonate sheets are also easily worked, molded, and
thermo-formed or cold-formed. Polycarbonate plastic is in
awide variety of products including greenhouses, DVDs,
sunglasses, police riot gear, and more.
Polyethylene (PE)
the most common plastic on earth, polyethylene can be
manufactured in varying densities. Each different density
of polyethylene gives the final plastic unique physical
properties. As a result polyethylene is in a wide variety of
products.
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
HDPE is a type of polyethylene with a linear structure.
Since its molecules are packed together tightly, HDPE is
an incredibly strong polyethylene with high tensile
strength, rigidity, and impact resistance.
Low - Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
LDPE is a branched version of polyethylene, meaning
its molecules are more loosely packed. As a result, LDPE
is less dense than other linear polyethylenes like HDPE.
This doesn’t mean LDPE isn’t strong, though.
Polypropylene (PP)
This plastic material is a thermoplastic polymer and the world’s
second-most widely produced synthetic plastic. Its widespread use
and popularity are undoubted because polypropylene is one of the
most flexible thermoplastic in the planet. Although PP is stronger
than PE, it still retains flexibility. It will not crack under repeated
stress. Durable, flexible, heat resistant, acid resistant, and cheap,
polypropylene sheets are used t make laboratory equipment,
automotive parts, medical devices, and food containers.
Polystyrene (PS)
PS (polystyrene) can be made into rigid or foam products —
in the latter case, it is popularly known as the trademark Styrofoam.
Styrene monomer (a type of molecule) can leach into foods and is a
possible human carcinogen, while styrene oxide is classified as a
probable carcinogen. The material was long on environmentalists' hit
lists for dispersing widely across the landscape, and for being
notoriously difficult to recycle. Most places still don't accept it in
foam forms because it's 98% air.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET)
The most common thermoplastic resin of the polyester family, it’s
the fourth-most produced synthetic plastic. PET has excellent chemical
resistance to organic materials and water and is easily recyclable. Its
shatterproof and possesses an impressive high strength to weight ratio.
This plastic material is in fibers for clothing, container for foods and
liquid, glass fiber for engineering resins, carbon nanotubes, and many
other products.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
The third-most produced synthetic plastic polymer, PVC
can be manufactured to possess rigid or flexible properties. It is
well-known for its ability to blend with other materials. The
rigid form of PVC is commonly in construction materials,
doors, window, bottles, non-food packaging and more. With the
addition of plasticizers, PVC can also be used in electrical cable
insulation, medical tubing and plumbing products.
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)
Created by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile in the
presence of polybutadiene, ABS is robust, flexible, glossy, highly
processable, and impact resistant. With a relatively low
manufacturing cost, ABS plastic sheeting is typically used in the
automotive and refrigeration industries but is also in products such
as boxes, gauges, protective headgear , luggage, and children’s toy.
 RECYCLING CODES FOR POLYMERIC
MATERIALS
This tiny digit is actually important, because its an ID. The is
a resin identification code, used to help recycling plants sort
materials. Recyclable plastics are labelled with numbers 1-7
to tell workers what kind of plastic it is, and how it should be
processed. Most of the codes are located at the bottom of the
bottle or container.
#1 - PET or PETE
Found in: Soft drinks, water, ketchup and beer bottles;
mouthwash bottles; peanut butter containers; salad dressing
and vegetable oil containers
Recycled into: Polar fleece, fiber, tote bags, furniture, carpet,
paneling, straps, bottles and food containers (as long as the
plastic being recycled meets purity standards and doesn't have
hazardous contaminants)
#2 - HDPE
Found in: Milk jugs; juice bottles; bleach, detergent and other
household cleaner bottles; shampoo bottles; some trash and
shopping bags; motor oil bottles; butter and yogurt tubs.
Recycled into: Laundry detergent bottles, oil bottles, pens,
recycling containers, floor tile, drainage pipe, lumber, benches,
doghouses, picnic tables, fencing, shampoo bottles.
#3 - V or PVC
Found in: Blister packaging, wire jacketing, siding, windows,
piping.

Recycled into: Decks, paneling, mud-flaps, roadway gutters,

flooring, cables, speed bumps, mats.
#4 - LDPE
Found in: Squeezable bottles; bread, frozen food, dry cleaning
and shopping bags; tote bags; furniture.

Recycled into: Trash can liners and cans, compost bins,

shipping envelopes, paneling, lumber, landscaping ties, floor
tile.
#5 - PP
Found in: Some yogurt containers, syrup and medicine bottles,
caps, straws.

Recycled into: Signal lights, battery cables, brooms, brushes,

auto battery cases, ice scrapers, landscape borders, bicycle
racks, rakes, bins, pallets, trays.
#6 - PS
Found in: Disposable plates and cups, meat trays, egg cartons,
carry-out containers, aspirin bottles, compact disc cases.

Recycled into: Insulation, light switch plates, egg cartons,

vents, rulers, foam packing, carry-out containers.
7 - others/Miscellaneous
Found in: Three- and five-gallon water bottles, bullet-proof
materials, sunglasses, DVDs, iPod and computer cases, signs
and displays, certain food containers, nylon.

Recycled into: Plastic lumber and custom-made products.

THANK YOU