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PLASTICS

Plastics

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glaventechengineering
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21 views

PLASTICS

Plastics

Uploaded by

glaventechengineering
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PLASTICS

Plastic was invented by Alexander Perkes in 1865 and was called Parkesite . Produced by
mixing camphor and alcohol with nitrocellulose . Bakelite was discovered in 1909 by Bakeland .
Today plastic are made from hydrocarbons that are readily available in natural gas oil and coal through
polymerization or polycondensation process classified as thermosetting polymer or thermoplastics
polymer .[ polymer – a large molecule made from joining together many small molecules called
monomers ]

Plastics are polymers of carbon compounds with other elements like hydrogen , oxygen and
nitrogen . They are called plastics because their resins are capable of plastic deformation when
heat and pressure are applied to them . RESINS - yellowish viscous liquid or soft solids of plant
origin [ hydrocarbon secretion of a plant ]

Process of producing resins of plastics is called polymerization , a substance containing one


primary chemical is a monomer . Combining thousand of monomers as long chain of molecules
is the process of combining molecules of compounds to form another complex molecule .

TYPES OF PLASTICS
Polystyrene

Polypropylene

Low density polyethylene [LPPE]

Polyvinyl chloride [PVC]

High density polyethylene [HDPE]

polyester

CLASSIFICATION OF PLASTICS
Plastics are classified according to, its thermal property or mechanical property .

THERMAL PROPERTY

Thermoplastics - are plastics which soften on heating without undergoing any chemical
change , its possible to shape and reshape by heat and pressure .

Thermosetting plastics - undergo a chemical change when heated at about 127 - 177 degrees
Celsius

MECHAMICAL PROPERTY
Plastics are divided as follows ; rigid plastics with high elasticity ; semi rigid plastics with medium
elasticity and soft plastics with low elasticity .

PROPERTIES OF PLASTICS

Appearances - it can be made in attractive colours

Chemical resistance - good resistance against almost all chemical

Durability - durable if protected

Electric insulation – good insulators used for plugs and switches

Easy to fix – easy to be used for fabrication

Finishing - takes good finishes

Thermal conductivity - very low like wood

Thermal stability - stable under low temperatures

Light in weight – due to their molecular structure plastics are light

Maintenance – easy to maintain

DISADVANTAGES

Lack of fire resistance - all plastics cannot withstand high temperatures and also emits toxic
fumes in case of fire in buildings .

METHODS FOR MAKING PLASTIC ARTICLES

Compression moulding - plastic materials are placed in the mould , closed and heated under
pressure when the plastic materials are being in mould .

Extrusion moulding – raw materials are fed into machines and heated until they become plastic ,
then pressed through a die to take the desired form .

Injection moulding - the heated plastic materials are injected into moulds at room temperature
where they take the form of the articles to be made . This applies to thermoplastics .

Transfer moulding - applicable to thermosetting plastics , in this process the mould moulds are
heated .
Jet moulding - is like extrusion moulding except that for higher temperatures , the nozzles are
also heated , method can be used for both thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics .

USES
Thermoplastics

Polyvinyl chloride PVC

Acrylics [Perspex ]

Nylon

Polycarbonate

Thermosetting
-polyester [terylene ]

-casein

PVC - available in 3 forms ; ordinary , plasticized and post chlorinated which is more resistant
to heat up 120 degrees Celsius for hot water pipes . PVC has high resistance to most chemical
also used to make doors windows floor covering and wall coverings .

ADVANTAGES PVC
-resistance to corrosion

-unaffected by atmospheric pollution

-cost less than metal pipes

-light in weight and easy to transport

-pipes are smooth and have good flow to convey liquids

-can be buried safely in corrosive soils

- PVC is good insulator

-easy to make leakproof joints in PVC pipes

- pipes are termite proof

DISADVANTAGES
-they creep under load
-do not weather well in direct sunlight , should be protected from rays of the sun

THERMOCOL
-is light cellular plastic material used for sound and heat insulation . It is used in formwork
for concreting to form special futures in the structure .

PVC TILES
Used in office buildings as well as in residential and non residential buildings . It gives
resilient decorative and non porous surface which can be easily cleaned .

LAMINATED PLASTICS FORMICA


-used as a hygienic finish for surfaces of cupboards , tables in bar and kitchen as well as for
bathroom fittings .They are also heat resistant . It consists of layers of paper impregnated with
thermosetting resins bonded together under heat and pressure .

PLASTICS FOR ROOFING


Corrugated plastic roofing sheets with and without fibre reinforcement are for roofing of
building s .

SELF HELP QUESTIONS


[a ] Explain what is meant by polymerization . Name the type of polymerization that takes place
in preparation of polythene .

[b ] What are the two major classifications of plastics

[c ] List down advantages and disadvantages of plastics as a building material .

[4 ] Where are the following plastics used in building construction

Polyvinyl chloride

Perspex

Polycarbide

Casin

Formica

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