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Brick

The document discusses the Resin Identification Code (RIC) used for identifying types of plastics and their recyclability, detailing the properties and recycling processes for different plastic types including PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, and others. It also classifies plastic bricks into homogenous, composite, EcoBricks, and plastic-sand bricks, emphasizing the need for specific thermal properties in their production. Additionally, it lists common plastic wastes found in marine environments, highlighting the materials they are made from.

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vinithraj
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13 views9 pages

Brick

The document discusses the Resin Identification Code (RIC) used for identifying types of plastics and their recyclability, detailing the properties and recycling processes for different plastic types including PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, and others. It also classifies plastic bricks into homogenous, composite, EcoBricks, and plastic-sand bricks, emphasizing the need for specific thermal properties in their production. Additionally, it lists common plastic wastes found in marine environments, highlighting the materials they are made from.

Uploaded by

vinithraj
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1.

RESIN IDENTIFICATION CODE (RIC)


The primary step in plastic recycling is to identify the type of the plastic used for
the product and most importantly whether it is recyclable or not.
The plastic recycling code, also known as the Resin Identification Code (RIC), is
a set of symbols placed on plastic products to identify the plastic resin out of
which the product is made. It is represented by a triangle formed by three chasing
arrows, enclosing a number from 1 to 7.

Most clear bottles (soda, water, etc.) have the No. 1 in the triangle. The No. 1
stands for PETE or PET (polyethylene terephthalate). PET plastic is recyclable.
The plastic is crushed and then shredded into small flakes which are then
reprocessed to make new PET bottles, or spun into polyester fibre. This recycled
fibre is used to make textiles such as fleece garments, carpets, stuffing for pillows
and life jackets, and similar products.

HDPE plastic is very stiff and hard-wearing and does not break down under
exposure to sunlight or extremes of heating or freezing. It is used to make milk
jugs, detergent and oil bottles, toys, and some plastic bags. HDPE is the most
commonly recycled plastic and is considered one of the safest forms of plastic. It
is a relatively simple and cost-effective process to recycle HDPE plastic for
secondary use.

PVC is a soft, flexible plastic used to make clear plastic food wrapping, cooking
oil bottles, teething rings, children’s and pets’ toys, and blister packaging for
myriad consumer products. It is commonly used as the sheathing material for
computer cables, to make plastic pipes and parts for plumbing, and in garden
hoses. Because PVC is relatively impervious to sunlight and weather, it is used to
make window frames, garden hoses, arbors, raised beds and trellises.
PVC is dubbed the “poison plastic” because it contains numerous toxins which it
can leach throughout its entire life cycle. Almost all products using PVC require
virgin material for their construction; less than 1% of PVC material is recycled.

LDPE is often found in shrink wraps, dry cleaner garment bags, squeezable
bottles, and the type of plastic bags used to package bread. The plastic grocery
bags used in most stores today are made using LDPE plastic. Some clothing and
furniture also uses this type of plastic.
LDPE is considered less toxic than other plastics, and relatively safe for use. It is
not commonly recycled,

Polypropylene plastic is tough and lightweight, and has excellent heat-resistance


qualities. It serves as a barrier against moisture, grease and chemicals. When you
try to open the thin plastic liner in a cereal box, it is polypropylene. This keeps
your cereal dry and fresh. PP is also commonly used for disposable diapers, pails,
plastic bottle tops, margarine and yogurt containers, potato chip bags, straws,
packing tape and rope.
Polypropylene is recyclable through some curbside recycling programs

Polystyrene is an inexpensive, lightweight and easily-formed plastic with a wide


variety of uses. It is most often used to make disposable foam drinking cups, take-
out “clamshell” food containers, egg cartons, plastic picnic cutlery, foam
packaging and those ubiquitous “peanut” foam chips used to fill shipping boxes
to protect the contents. Polystyrene is also widely used to make rigid foam
insulation and underlay sheeting for laminate flooring used in home construction.
Because polystyrene is structurally weak and ultra-lightweight, it breaks up easily
and is dispersed readily throughout the natural environment. Beaches all over
the world have bits of polystyrene lapping at the shores, and an untold
number of marine species have ingested this plastic with immeasurable
consequences to their health. Recycling is not widely available for
polystyrene products. Recycling is not widely available for polystyrene
products.

Plastics that contain a No. 7 are any other plastic, including polycarbonate and
BPA, and often contain a combination of plastics 1-6. The No. 7 category was
designed as a catch-all for polycarbonate (PC) and “other” plastics, so reuse and
recycling protocols are not standardized within this category.

Fig. Types of plastic their components and uses


2. CLASSIFICATION OF PLASTIC BRICKS
Different types of plastic can be used to make different kinds of plastic bricks,
often combined with other materials for improved properties. A brief
classification would be:
Homogenous Plastic Bricks: These bricks are made entirely from a single type
of plastic, such as polypropylene (PP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE),
melted and molded into brick shapes.

Homogenous Plastic Bricks


Composite Plastic Bricks: These bricks combine different types of plastic, or
mix plastic with other materials like sand, fly ash, or glass fibres, to enhance
strength, durability, or insulation.

Composite Plastic Bricks


EcoBricks: These are plastic bottles tightly packed with non-recyclable plastic
waste to create a building block. They offer a simple, low-tech way to use plastic
waste for construction, but their structural properties can vary.
EcoBricks
Plastic-Sand Bricks: Developed by companies like Rhino Machines, these
bricks combine plastic waste with sand or foundry dust. This mix eliminates the
need for water in production and results in a strong, resource-efficient brick.

Plastic Sand Bricks


3. THERMAL PROPERTIES OF DIFFERENT GRADES
OF PLASTIC
The specific type of plastic brick suitable for our project will depend on the
desired properties, available resources, and intended application. Basically, being
a method to minimise plastic waste found in the marine bodies on the ship itself
our objective would be to produce homogenous plastic bricks.
Now to produce homogenous plastic bricks we need to categorise plastic 1 to 7
and make bricks accordingly as thermal properties of different grades would vary.

1. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)


Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): ~70–80°C (158–176°F)
Melting Point: ~250–260°C (482–500°F)
Decomposition Temperature: Above 300°C (572°F)
Thermal Conductivity: Low (~0.2 W/m·K)
Heat Resistance: Moderate; softens with prolonged exposure to heat.

2. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)


Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): ~-100°C (-148°F)
Melting Point: ~120–130°C (248–266°F)
Decomposition Temperature: Above 300°C (572°F)
Thermal Conductivity: Very low (~0.44 W/m·K)
Heat Resistance: Good resistance to low temperatures but deforms at high
temperatures.

3. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)


Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): ~80°C (176°F)
Melting Point: Decomposes before melting (~100–260°C, or 212–500°F)
Decomposition Temperature: Above 260°C (500°F), releases harmful gases
(HCl).
Thermal Conductivity: Low (~0.16 W/m·K)
Heat Resistance: Poor; softens and degrades with heat.
4. LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): ~-110°C (-166°F)
Melting Point: ~105–115°C (221–239°F)
Decomposition Temperature: Above 300°C (572°F)
Thermal Conductivity: Low (~0.33 W/m·K)
Heat Resistance: Poor; easily deforms under heat.

5. PP (Polypropylene)
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): ~-10°C (14°F)
Melting Point: ~130–170°C (266–338°F)
Decomposition Temperature: Above 300°C (572°F)
Thermal Conductivity: Low (~0.1–0.22 W/m·K)
Heat Resistance: Excellent; resists boiling water and steam.

6. PS (Polystyrene)
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): ~95°C (203°F)
Melting Point: Amorphous structure, softens at ~240°C (464°F)
Decomposition Temperature: Above 350°C (662°F)
Thermal Conductivity: Very low (~0.033 W/m·K for foam form)
Heat Resistance: Poor; warps easily under heat.

7. Other (Miscellaneous, e.g., Polycarbonate, Nylon, ABS)


Properties depend on the specific polymer:
Polycarbonate (PC):
Tg: ~150°C (302°F)
Melting Point: ~230–260°C (446–500°F)
High impact resistance and good thermal stability.
Nylon:
Tg: ~40–70°C (104–158°F)
Melting Point: ~190–350°C (374–662°F)
High thermal and mechanical strength.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene):
Tg: ~105°C (221°F)
Melting Point: Decomposes before melting.
Moderate heat resistance.
4. WASTES FOUND IN MARINE BODIES
The most commonly found plastic waste in marine bodies are:

1. Beverage Bottles and Caps


Material: Primarily made of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) for bottles and
HDPE or PP for caps.

2. Fishing Gear
Examples: Fishing nets, lines, ropes, and traps (often referred to as "ghost gear").
Material: Nylon, polypropylene, and polyethylene.

3. Plastic Packaging
Examples: Food containers, cling wraps, polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) cups and
trays.
Material: LDPE, PS, and PP.

4. Cigarette Butts
Material: Filters made from cellulose acetate (a plastic).

5. Plastic Utensils and Straws


Material: PS and PP.

6. Synthetic Fibers from Textiles


Material: polyester, acrylic, nylon.

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