Acetals

Acrylics

Amino Resins
Cellulosics
Polyolefins Polyurethanes

Phenolics Polyamides
Styrenes Vinyls

Polyesters

Acetals
Acetals are engineering-type thermoplastics. The acetal homopolymer is polyoxymethylene, in
which methyl groups are linked together by an oxygen atom.

Mechanical and Chemical Properties

Acetals are highly crystalline. They are rigid, resilient, tough, and strong. They do not easily
become brittle, even with long-term exposure to unfavorable conditions and high temperatures.
Acetals cannot be dissolved by organic solvents, however they have limited resistance to strong
acids and oxidizing chemicals. Acetals absorb minimal amounts of moisture, a characteristic
which enhances their high flammability.
Applications
Acetals are used in hardware components such as gears and bearings. They are also found in
pumps, valves, screws, bottles, fans, paint sprayers, shower heads, tool handles, and dishes.
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Acrylics
Acrylics are synthetic plastics, prepared from acrylic acids. They are polymers of the esters of
acrylic acid.

Mechanical and Chemical Properties

While acrylics are clear and transmit light exceptionally well, they are also easily coloured.
They can be found in all shades, including fluorescents. Their surface lustre is outstanding.
Despite the fact that they have a low softening point, acrylics are weather resistant and hard.
Acrylics have low moisture absorbtivity and high scratch resistance. They are susceptible to
damage by certain chemicals such as gasoline and cleaning fluids, however they will withstand
non-oxidizing acids and household alkalies. Acrylic plastics are slow burning and burn with
little smoke or toxicity.
Applications
Acrylics are excellent as lens material. They are used in binoculars, cameras, and eye glasses.
Acrylics are also used in stop lights and car headlights. Lighting fixtures, dishes, floor waxes,
carpets, piano keys, beverage dispensers, and skylights all contain acrylic plastics.
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Amino Resins
Amino resins consist of melamine formaldehydes and urea formaldehydes. The molecular
structure of urea formaldehyde is shown below.

Mechanical and Chemical Properties

Amino plastics are hard, scratch and stain resistant, moldable, thermally resistant, and come in a
variety of transluscent and opaque colours. While they are fairly strong, they are not

unbreakable. They are resistant to solvents such as cleaning fluids, gasoline, and oils. Aminos
will not burn or soften, even in open flame.
Applications
Amino resins are used in molding powders. Molded products of amino plastics include switch
cover plates, buttons, electric mixer housings, radio cabinets, coffee makers, and door knobs.
Aminos are also extremely useful as adhesives, especially in the woods industry, and as
laminated lay-ups for kitchen counters. Finally, aminos are also employed as surface coatings on
paper and fabric.
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Cellulosics
"Cellulosics" is the general term for a group of plastics which are derived from cellulose, a
natural occuring fibre which is obtained from wood pulp. The five principle cellulose plastics
are:

cellulose acetate
cellulose nitrate
cellulose propionate
cellulose acetate butyrate
ethyl cellulose

The molecular structure of cellulose is shown below:

Various chemical groups are substituted for the hydroxy groups in glucose, with each
substitution resulting in the production of one of these five plastics.
Mechanical and Chemical Properties

While each of the five cellulosics have unique properties, certain characteristics are common to
all of these plastics. They are among the toughest of all the plastics, and are moderately heat
resistant. They have lustrous surfaces and can be found in opaque, transluscent, and transparent
forms. All cellulosics are soluble in some hydrocarbons and decompose in strong acids.
Cellulose plastics are available in a wide variety of colours.
Applications
Cellulosics are used in shoe heels, eyeglass frames, toothbrush handles, pen and pencil barrels,
piano keys, beads, toys, fisherperson's floats and tackle, cutlery handles, combs and steering
wheels.
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Phenolics
Phenolics are synthetic resins, produced by the condensation of phenol with formaldehyde in the
presence of a base. The generic phenolic structure is shown below.

Various chemical groups are substituted for the hydroxy groups in glucose, with each
substitution resulting in the production of one of these five plastics.
Mechanical and Chemical Properties
Phenolics are hard, rigid, heat resistant, and brittle. Fillers are used in order to improve their
toughness. They have excellent insulating properties and are heat resistant to 260C. They are
chemically inert to most common solvents and weak acids. They absorb very little moisture.
Fillers are widely used in the manufacture of phenolics in order to achieve certain desired
charactertics as appropriate for the application of the plastic.
Applications

Phenolics may be used in their liquid form in laminating of veneers, fabrics, and paper.
Phenolics are also used in distributor caps, brake linings, pulleys, washing machines, detergent
dispensers, telephones, salad bowls, ash trays, croquet balls, and roof panels.
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Polyamides
Polyamides are plastics whose structural units are linked by amide groupings. The most
common type of polyamide is nylon.

Mechanical and Chemical Properties

Polyamides are naturally beige or off-white, but they can be manufactured to be transparent.
Polyamides can be easily molded. They are hard and brittle and resistant to abrasion, shrinkage
and heat. Certains polyamides are especially flexible and impervious to impact. Polyamides are
resistant to deterioration by alkalies, petroleum products, and organic solvents. Hot phenol,
formaldehydes, ultraviolet light and mineral acids destroy polyamides. Most polyamides are
self-extinguishing in the event of fire.
Applications
Polyamides are used in small bearings, speedometer gears, windshield wipers, water hose
nozzels, football helmets, racehorse shoes, inks, clothing, parachute fabrics, rainwear, and
cellophane.
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Polyesters
Polyesters are formed either by a reaction between a dibasic acid and a dihydroxy alcohol or by
the polymerization of a hydroxy carboxylic acid.

Mechanical and Chemical Properties

Polyesters are naturally clear and colourless, however they can be coloured and filled according
to specifications. Polyesters do not show wear with exposure to poor weather conditions. They
are highly resistant to chemical deterioration, withstanding most solvents, acids, and salts.
Polyesters are strong and tough and range from rigid to flexible. They are also resistant to heat
damage and can be made to be self-extinguishing.
Applications
The dominant uses for polyesters are in laminating and molding. Boat hulls, automobiles, and
aircraft bodies all contain polyesters. Polyesters are also found in wash tubs, luggage, hammer
handles, costume jewlery, and fan blades.
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Polyolefins
Polyolefins are unsaturated hydrocarbons extracted from petroleum or natural gas. The structure
shown below is that of a simple, straight-chain polyolefin, however polyolefins can also be found
with varying degrees of carbon chain branching.

Mechanical and Chemical Properties

The properties of the polyolefins depend in large part on the length and branching of their carbon
chains. Short chains make brittle, waxy plastics. Longer chains produce a very tough plastic. As
the density of a polyolefin increases, so do its softening temperature, gloss, and grease resistance.
As the density of a polyolefin decreases, so do its crack-resistance and its permeability. Most
polyolefins are resistant to attack by acids, bases, and salts. Oxidizing agents, solvents, and

hydrocarbons can destroy this group of plastics. Uncoloured polyolefins are more susceptible to
damage by weathering in the presence of oxygen and sunlight. Polyolefins are slow burning.
Applications
Polyolefins are used in pipe fittings, packaging films, surgical implants, wire insulation,
beverage cases, trash-can liners, produce bags, canteens, and rug backing for automotive
flooring.
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Polyurethanes
Polyurethanes are produced by reacting diisocyanates with glycols. The molecular structure of
polyurethane is shown below.

Mechanical and Chemical Properties

Polyurethanes are naturally amber in colour. They are easily stretched; a property which has
earned them the nickname 'elastomers'. Polyurethanes are scratch, tear, and shock resistant.
They are very tough but have good cushioning properties. Polyurethanes are not easily damaged
by chemicals including solvents, acids, and oils.
Applications
Polyurethanes are found in tires, gaskets, bumpers, and synthetic leather. More foamy varieties
of polyurethane are used in refrigerator insulation, sponges, furniture cushioning, and life
jackets.
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Styrenes

Styrene plastics are made by the polymerization of styrenes. Its carbon chain is long, linear, and
amorphous.

Mechanical and Chemical Properties

Styrenes are smooth, clear, odourless, and tasteless. They can be found in a wide range of
colours. They melt over a wide range of temperatures and pressures, allowing for terrific
molding possibilities. They demonstrate terrific insulating properties. Styrenes are hard and
brittle and show poor resistance to chemical treatments. Styrenes are limited in their amount of
liquid absorption. Butadiene fillers increase the impact resistance of styrenes, making them
much more versatile in their range of uses. Styrenes burn slowly.
Applications
Styrenes are widely used in disposable products including picnic utensils and food containers.
They are also found in automobile interior parts, model airplane and car kits, jewelery, clock
cases, place mats, envelope windows, ice buckets, and egg cartons.
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Vinyls
Vinyl plastics are formed by the polymerization of chemical compounds containing the group
CH2=CH.

Mechanical and Chemical Properties

Vinyls are strong, with excellent resistance to damage caused by water and chemical wearing.
However, they are ruined by prolonged exposure to sunlight. They are available in a wide variety
of colours. Vinyls range from being hard and rigid to soft and flexible. Vinyls are selfextinguishing.
Applications
Vinyls are used in automobile seat covers, shower curtains, raincoats, bottles, visors, shoe soles,
garden hoses, and mannequins.