Plastics 1. tmenoduction. 2. Rowe Material for Plastics. 3. General Properties of Plastics. 4. Types of Plastics. S. Types of Thermancitng Resins. 6 Types of Thermoplastic Revine. 7. Synthetic Rubber or Elastomers. & Moulding Compounds. 9. Fabrication of Plastics. 10, Moulding. 11. Calendering. 12, Casting, 13. Slush Casting. 14. Laminating. 1S. Machining of Plastics. 16. Joining of Plastics. 231 Introduction The plastics are synthetic organic materials which can be moulded into any desired shape ‘when subjected to heat and pressure, These materials are prepared from natural or synthetic resins ‘with or without the moulding compounds. These moulding compounds are mixed with the granular resins before moulding s The plastics, now-a-days, are being used in one form or the other in almost all fields of engineering. They are mostly used in the manufacture of aéroplane and automobile parts. They are also used for making safety glasses, laminated gears, pulleys, self ubricating bearings. 232 Raw Material for Plastics In general the plastics are compounds of carbon with other elements such as oxygen, hydrogen ‘and nitrogen. The carbon combines with itself and other elements and forms more complicated ‘compounds. ‘The raw material for plastic compounds are various agricultural products and numerous miners ‘and organic materials including petroleum, coal, gas, limestone, silica and sulphur. The natural resins ‘are wax, shellac pitch, bitumen resin, rubber etc. The synthetic resins, forthe plastic materials, are produced by linking together a large numberof small molecules of symthetic resin (known as monomers ‘or monoliths) which forms large or long-chain molecules known as polymers (pol) means many and ‘mers means units ot parts). The process by which monomers are combined to form polymers is {known as polymerisation, ‘The following two methods are used to achieve polymerisation, 1, Addition polymerisation, and 2. Condensation polymerisation. In addition polymerisation, two or mote similar monomers directly react to form polymers, ‘The condensation polymerisation takes two or more dissimilar monomers that react to form polymers plus the by-product water. 233 General Properties of Plastics practiog flowing ae the general properties of plastics due to which itis widely usedin engineering ice. 1. Lightness in weight. The specific gravity varies from 1.10 2.4, Easy workability. The plastics can be easily casted, moulded, drilled, machined etc, Highly resistant to Gorrosion, ‘Highly resistant abrasion Good thermal and electrical insulators. Good strength and ri awsep7. Absorbent of vibrations and 8 Good resistant to most ofthe chemicals. 9. impermeable to water 10, Low fabrication cost 11, Good dimensional stability 12, Can be made transparent or coloured 264 Type of Plastics ‘The plastics are broadly classified in the following two groups 1, Thermosettng plastics, and 2, Thermoplastic materials The thertosening plastics (also known as hea-setting materals) are those plastics which are formed into shape under heat (in the temperature range of 127°C to 177°C) and pressure and results Jina permanently hard product. The heat first softens the resins end when special chemicals are added, it becomes hard by a chemical change known as polymerisation. The reheating does not soften them again. The thermoseting plastics are soluble in alcohol and other organic solvents when they arin thermoplastic stage. This property is uilised in making pents and varnishes from plastics. ‘These plastics ar hard, strong and durable. These are manufacturedina variety of beautiful colours. The thermoplastic materials (also known as cold-stting mateials are those plastics which do not become hard with the application of heat and pressure and no chemical change occurs, They remain soft at elevated temperatures and become hard on cooling. They can be remelted repeatedly by the successive application of heat. These plastics are better than thermosetting plastics because they can be used again and again. The scrap obtained from the moulding operations and rejected auticle canbe shaped into granules and reused to make firstquaity products, These plastics are used for makings oye and other ordinary purposes. 235 Types of Thermosetting Resins The following are the various types of thermosetting resins: Phenolic resins: The most important ofthe phenolic resins is phenol formaldehyde. Its ‘obtained by condensing the phenol with formoldehyde in the presence ofa catalyst. It is popularly ‘known by its trade name of Bakelite, after the name of its inventor Dr. L. Bakelite. tis hard, rigid and Scratch resistant material, It is highly esistant to heat, water, non- oxidising aids, salts and many organic solvents. I possesses excellent electrical insulating property. Itis one of the cheapest malril of all the thermosetting resins. It is used in manufacturing handles for cooking pots, knobs, toilet seats, bottle caps, dials, telephone parts, cabinets for radio and television, electrical components like switches, plugs, switch- boards et. Itis also used as a binder in paints and varnishes and as an adhesives for grinding whee. he (@) The phenol is carbolic acid obtained as a by-product during disillation of organic substances such 28 wood o oa. (0) Te phenolic resins reused wih variety of fillers to modify he properies. Fo example, wood four for gene purpse sess for hea resistance and mia for lect! asa : (€) The phenolic resins may be moulded by compression or transfer moulding methods (See Art 2310) 2. Amino resins. The two important amino resins are wea formaldehyde and melamine Formaldehyde. These are condensation products obtained by the reaction of urea or melamine wit) formaldehyde. The amino resins can be produced in a wide range of colours and ae hard, rigid 30d durable. They possesses goo! electrical properties and are heat and scratch resistant The urea formaldehyde is widely used in domestic electrical fittings such as switch covers, plug tps, socket bases and lamp sockets Its also used for cabinets, toilet seats, butons and lock cases.moulded cups, plates, saucers, bowls ec. r : Both the resins a sel as coatings and adhesives Notes : (a) The wea is obtained by mining | wide (6) The mcamine band fm 3. Furane reins. The farne resins ae obaind when waste fam pod sch acon sed lh um re poral wih ein ih Toe es eda ncaa wat resistant. 1ave good electrical properties. These are used as core sand binders and as hardening additives for gypsum plaster. cane 4. Silicon resins. Te scan resins fer from most ter resins which arse on he carbon tom. The silicon resins have silicon and oxygen cain to which ar linkd Varios ogni {oops sich as methyl sie groups, ‘The silicon eins may be inthe form of igi, eni-slids ike grease) rabbers and sold ‘The lgud silicones oe silicon ils possesses great wetng power formals, low ufc enon nd | show verysmallchanges in vicoiy with emperature, These te sed sigh tropes bic, | antifoaming agents, watersepllentfnses for ether and exes heat ansfer med, danping and hydraulic Mids. They ae alo wed in commen an polishes “The silicones inthe semisoi form (e, silicon gress) are modified sco ls and ae cbiained by adn filles ike slice, carbon black et. These ae parculary used as nbcantsn |-suatons where very high an ov temperatures a eneunse. |The silicones inthe rubber frm hae high abrasion resistance, stably thigh temperatures and remain flexible even avery low temperate. They are mos esd in gasket fades in ther ibber “The solid silicones possesses good electrical insulting properties and oustanding neat | sesisance Tey ee most wed nigh voluge sl high pertain ans at | mouldings which equi high hema stabi Note:The size esis cn be posed conpesson oan mosig easiness 5. Bpomresin Th epoxy esis ae oben ceain special peso ergata, specify epichlrahyin nd bophenl (ube pero). These are cued or cosine by te | Saitw fatter Tecueeporyesnshve lw tinge, goles clench | Resistance and let inelating properties | “These are used for surface coatings, adhesives for glass and metals, and laminating materials | axed incest equipments. The molds mae tom ex sins ae employed fore pobon | efcomponents for srr and auomobies name olyster resin The pletr resins ate oie by the reaction etwesn a iyi alcool and basic aid They ae divided into the fowing te gps (@) Saturated polyesters, () Unsaturated polyesters and (© Alkys “ suated pobestersareobinedby reacting yea with sat basic ai They ae a good i oenng tel dare converted in corel res, Such Hes ave igh seach rere tightens and rake conc. Tey seost} ved for making ste es he teplene,dacton ce eur polyesters ae made by eating glycol with unsaturated dbase aid (ike maleic dy, Thy hve good xara sung and can withstand epee upto 145° ra ae se to nr but possesses low feiss to cde and las. These Frorly ecosystem cnn tye atid re pred by reacting pyc alcbol ike lye) wih pbs aks i ae dS comet popoon nthe presence of ea and sats (©O, BS) Thealkyd resins are modified either by oi (dying rela eget meclie alkyd ar sed asa coating mute in outrerous formulations, Fetal a nad we ha, dimensionally sable and resistance to comsion and cea Ter Fea Be aking boot lsultos, eircrat und aviomatite pars, sheets, ts ben sai? 4 ot switches, J. Polyurethanes, The polyurethanes wre obtained, commercially, by treatin Fil Tey bave exelent resistance o abrasion and solvents, Tes seve areeainn Pe filing 236 Types of Thermoplastic Resins ‘The following are the various types of thermoplastic resins 1. Celdosederaves, Te close derivatives em flows Its obtained by reacting cllulove with nic cid inte pesence of Sulphuric acd which ats as a dehydrating agen. tis Known iatade moe etn Wisahardandrtematrial, Is avalbe na wide varie oftewateon na fo resstance to moisture but highly inflammable Is sed raking pone frames, pen bodies, tooth tes, aio dls deawing inset, abe noe Seat Since itis soluble in many solvents, therefore itis widely used for () Cellulose acetate, Its obuined by reacting cellolose wth acetic ac in the presence of ‘sulphuric acid, Itis stable, transparent, wear resistance and strong Itcan be easily moulded ‘nd extraded. His per than else nate anthaca tend osbosbrmto Iisused for ming ys knobs, slight cases ato panel mfr eur one es he esata ean et ors aon cohoghone Wide cans, per and wring ©. Chose cee burt. Wis ane by reacting clos vith ace cid an a Acid es silerto clone cette und can be peda all clus, Ni wel cael forinjectonodldng and cxrsion, thas low moisture avers eugene tibia heal td light. 11s wed for seeing whet onal enc pease fini isang tps ppe ad bes for ga and water ce (G) Bip colo It's bined by reacting sodam celle wih ethyl cite wee Psi ed eabetietprcpinion inte, (lowed by putcalon” hs wong MBS ie tcc a god nena. tad ab for conn mae Tip oe fie, frig ces and monde sonpon, {© Callalast propionate sabe and tough termopasic. thas ow ender oe Titi pn tnd cate ely enoulded. swe for funai- pr, ash cases, telephones and safety glasses 2, Polysorene. Its obsined by polymersion of sree (islved in ety een) in th asec of benzyl pose. hil an oie esac. Is ara Colors fom cleno pare, hires wterand mocha thas ens sy tod alaing ely. Ts widely sed in ling fakes ike toy, combs, tos a iSevton pa reigertr pats batcry eases, high frequency lve sulin ees lighting panels. sono yee S Poetyien saa lownss payne ans abainedy pment Nee eee ic berble trom wt i pra od testo made, one atm andi ort tein heat sealed. Since soe o plas here mae ine ann Fea meer parce, The low erie: wis on-lrying) of fatty acids, befons foc houseware,chstbins and toys. ‘The mor rigid high densiy containers, boils, mitk erates and for beter quality house wae 4. Polypropylene. Iti obtained by poly catalyse ofthe ight plastics aval tensile strength, It is resistant to heat and chemicals. I is used for hospital and equipment, toys ute, television cabinets and electical insulation, Mt Morty ig in weigh and as god ght wasting power. is mitre cate, Itean be cut, sawn or turned. I! possesses excellent optical tacts asa good eect insulato. The pans mae fromthe acyl ein are frsfey ace i tings, signs, ee . 6. Vinyl resins. The most important plastics made fom vinyl resin is polyvinyl chovde. ‘The other types of plastics made from vinylresins are polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl ae s) polyvinyl polyvinyl buiyrates and ‘The polyvinyl chloride (PV) is obtained by heating a wate emulsion of vinyl chloride in the presence of small amount of benzoyl peroxide or hydrogen peroxide in an autoclave under pressure. ‘The PVC may be rigid or flexible. The rigid or unpastcied PVC isa hard thermoplastic, non- ‘buming and weather resistant, It is mostly used for rainwater pipes and fitings, roofing shes, The injection mouiding has the following advantages over compression moulding (@)_ tina faster method than compression moulding. ©) Itis most economical method for mass production of single product. (©) The antcles of dificult shape and of thin walls ae sucessfully produced. (@) Themetal inserts such as bearings, contacts or screws canbe placed inthe mould and cast integrally with the product. (©) ‘The material wastage is low asthe runners and spres can bé ground up and reused 4, Jet moulding. ‘The thermosetting plastics may be moulded by a process known as jt moulding. It is similar to injection moulding. The standard injection moulding machines used for thermoplastic material, may be converted for jet moulding, with few changes. The nozzle, whichis the important part ofthe machine, must be both heated and cooled during the moulding cyte. Injet ‘moulding, the resin irstsighly heated in the eyinder and then allowed to passthrough the nozzle Heating chamber Hepner Fig. 23.5, Plasic extrusion machine.uichepebenedo sigh pert) othe mold. When he mold il te noes ply CRS Pere prevent ptymersatn of he emaning steal ee, 5” de molng. The exon means the cntinos dow of ater ough ae ‘eexbiaamoling intr oinjcton roading dis wed fo beroplste material, This easel nt er making ong beso set ms pipes Opes nit operation, ‘mena material te powered pant i ein hopper an foe by a spiral Se Re he eng umber as shown in Fig 233 The mer boomes sof inthe heating Sumber an! he rung cre foes ht material ou hugh ade. Te finished prodot coming oatof ted scodedby Bow sro soraying water 1 WD ane ty by beat coveyer ee Blow moulin, This method is most employed fr ‘making thin walled hollow articles, especially bottles, from _. eestetconecal an cpa acyl pital (l aly (Aoownaspaizo)isextroded pil as pssibleandcuttolenath The hot parison is placed between the jaws of a split mould, as shown ‘in Fig. 23.6. ‘When the mould is cote, it pinches off he parison and the products completed by ar pressure which forces the material against the moold surfaces, ‘The mould should be adequately vented to need eliminate por surface finish, after the product isenoledSulcenly. i 75.6 plow eh themoslé is opened and the proc is femoved 2011 Calendering compounded pai Icsthe proces of producing fm orthin sees by squceing a ‘hermopatic material betwee he evolving cinders ax shown in Fg 237 Inits operation, the material consstng of thome pase rei, plane ler and colour pigments re compounded and ese Tefore being ed into the calender. ‘Thebickacs of te shox produced dependsupo the pacing between te cylinders tha stich te plastic Before th fim s wound fst though watt cooled rll. The rodvesproiuced by calenderng ae vinyl, polyethylene, cellulose Acute andes, The se process is tsed for roling uncured ‘bbe sock nthe manufac, 2312 Casting Itisthe process of producing plastic products in the moulds without the application of pressure. ‘This method is used only when the numberof parts to be produced are limited. Its similar to metal ‘casting process. In this method, the plastics are heated to suitable temperature and the molten resin ’s poured into the open moulds which are usually made of lead and cured for several days, After ue ‘uring and hardening, the products are removed from the moulds The thermosetting materials which can be successfully casted are the phenolics, polyesters, spoxies, acrylics and silicones because they have greater fluidity in pouring than the thermoplastic 2313 Stush Casting isthe proces of producing hin eile plastic produc, Is silat casting process in which o press applied In bismetho, the viscous solution ofthe haronleate ene Peed And then poured into the preheated mould, Due tothe heat ofthe mould, a uniform layer of enn sets All along the surface ofthe mould. The excess materiel. if any, is drained Fig. 237, Calendering. Hf The material set in the eeties ‘moulds then cured by heating, followed by hardening ofthe product by chilling. ‘The productisnow removed from the mould, This process is used for making flexible toys and artificial Nowers 2814 Laminating tis the process of bonding together a variety of materials by heat and pressure to form asiagle pec (known a laminates). The most laminated plastics consist of shets of wood, asbestos, fabric fx other similar materials, These materials are fist impregnated or coated with *thermosettingresin and then combined together under heat and pressure to form the commercial prod. The laminated tnaterils are hard, strong and impact resistant. They have good machining characteristics wich permitit fabrication ino gears, handles, bushings and furniture. “The following two recesses are commonly use for producing laminated products 1, High pressure process. Inthis process, the resinoid material (e.g. phenol formaldehyde) {s frst dissolved by a solvent (eg, lcobol) to convert it into aliquid varnish, The rolls of paper or fabric are passed through this liquid bath for impregnation, as shown in Fig. 3.8. Tis then squeeaed trough set of rollers and then died in drying ovens at temperature much lower (ce, 150°C) tan the curing temperature ofthe resin, to evaporate the solvent. In order to facilitate lamination the sheets de cut into convenient sizes and piled one over another (depending upon the desired thickness ofthe final sheet) between the polished metal plates atthe top and bottom. These are then bonded {together by a hydraulic press at about 180°C ind under high pressure from 8 MPa to 14 MPa, Thus te laminated sheets are produced. : Cattolenah ‘Squeezing Dring qven Paper, oth, ashocio ot Tolamipatig press sin bat Fig, 23, Proes for preparing sheets for lination. ‘The tubes are made by rolling the impregnated material around a steel mandrel of dered diameter and then placed ina tube mould for heating till they re cured. ‘The rods are produced by rolling and heating the impregnated material inside the cylindrical } moulds, followed by grinding to size ‘The paper base laminates are usd in electrical products. The fabric base materials, which are stronger and harder, ae better for stressed parts. The gears made of convas base are quiet in operation. 2. Low pressure process. Its also known as reinforced plastic moulding. In this process, pressure upto 3 MPa is applied. The reinforcing materials used are glass fibres, asbestos, lon, cotton, mat etc. The commonly used thermosetting resins are phenolic, furane, silicones, epnies and polyesters. The pigments are added to obtain diferent colour shades. The filler like clay {sually china clay), wood flour, silica sand, calcium carbonate and aluminium silicates are used 10 ‘obtain better physical properties, better surface fnish, reduced mould shrinkage and to lower est. ‘Some ofthe processes used for low pressure laminates areas follows : (2) Contact moulding. Ttis the simplest of all the processes. In this process, the layer of ‘enforcing mater are cote Wi catalyed ein nd paced in ayers on the pepe fom. The ‘numberof layers depends upon the strength required in the finished product. In order to speed wp the production of pas, both the resin and the enforcing material are sprayed by means of guns, nsead oftbeing coated by hand. The main advantages ofthis process ae + Thethermosetng resin mostly used for laminated plastics ae phenlice, silicones, epoxies and melamins9 Hrequires nium equipment i) The mould cost islow, iy Ther is wo sz iit ofthe proauet, and Ai) The changes in design canbe readily made. i (ePresnure bag moulding Ths process the lay-up of ein impregnated material is placed in the ould” His covered by abag ode of rubber. A pressure plate is secured to the top ofthe ciate tree team pressure upto 100.35 MPais applied between the bag and the plate to inflate thetag against the lay up. The vantages of his process ae {0 The cylindrical shapes can be easily made, i) Teprovides dense and vodess mouldings, Gi) The undercuts are possible, (i) The cores and insets can be used, and (0) Itretains the advantages of coniact moulding. (6) Vacuum bag moulding. Inthis process, the lay-up of resin impregnated materia is placed ‘verte form mould. Iti covered bya bag made of cellophane or polyvinyl film and secured tothe tmould, The vacuum is rawn through the pos provided i the mould. This results atmospheric pressure fo act onthe bag and frees the lay-up to conform tothe mould, The advantage ofthis process ae: (0 Iegives beter surface finish, (Gi) There is less ar enrapement and ess voids, and (i eretains the advantages of contact moulding (0) Aweoclave forming. tis a modification of either the pressure method of vaéuum bag metho ‘The main difference that fer the Iy-up ha been made and covered with plastic fil, the end assembly is placed in a steam or hot ait autoclave at 0.35 to 0.7 MPa. The additonal pressure permits higher las content and improved airemoval, The advantages of his process are (@ Ieprovidesa dense and voi free mouldings (id The cores and inser canbe ved, (i The underexts ace posible, and (jo) Itretains th advantages of contact moulding. (©, Matched die moulding. Its ahigh speed process and is used for large prodction. ‘The pits made by matched die moulding have greater accuracy, high stength and good surface fish ‘The dis are usually mace of stcel for small parts and cas ion for larger pats. They may also be ‘made from reinforced plastics or wood, for small production. 2315 Machining of Plastics ‘The machining is essential when accuracy greser han canbe obtained by moulding methods, is required or when features such as tapped holes which can not be obtained by moulding. Most plastic matetials can be machined by using metal-working tools and machines. Since plastic materials havea low thermal conductivity anda igh coefficient of expasion, therefore, de beat cutting most be kept tan ebsote min is beat, itis advseble ‘ting fad and to grind all ools with large clearance angles than required for metal cuing. 1 Iachining plastic materials, ight cuts and high cuting speeds with low feed rates shouldbe used Some ofthe operations used fr plastics are as follows 1. Sawing. in sawing plastic materials, coarse-1oth hacksaw blade should be used opreve ‘logging the ecth. The bite plastic materials suchas acrylics are cut with fine- tooth saw to avid Splimering the edges.2. Turning. The high speed steel cutting tos in a cente lathe canbe used 10 tum plastic aaterials. A back rake angle of the tool should be about 20” for turning all thermoplastics. A O° rake angle Can be used on the more bite plastics, while a 15° rake angle used on softer plastics ads the _low of material over the tool face. The euitting edges must be kept sharp. Since high and heavy cus generate too much heat, and also cause the plastic to deform under tool forces, therefore, a cutting speed of about 150 m/min with fed rates between 0.1 and 0.25 mnvrevoltin shouldbe used. 3. Drilling. in diling plastics, standard high speed drills are used but they muste cleared "frequently to remove swarf. The drills with 20” helix angle reduce the effect of swart clogging inthe 7} futes and a point angle of about 90 give better finish on break-through withthe softer plastics. All the drills should have a clearance angle of 15° to 20”. A cuiting speed of about 40 rimin with a fed “ate of 0.1 mm per tevolution should be used with diling plastic materials 4. Reaming. The helical flute reamers are used, ‘The reamer shouldbe sharp otherwise the ‘material tends to be pushed away rather than cut. 5. Tapping. ‘The holes diled or moulded in pasties can be tapped with high-speed stel ground-thread taps. In tapping softer plastic materials, there isa tendency for the material to be ‘pushed away rather than cut, In order to prevent this special taps about 0.05 mm to0.13 mm oversize reused. i 6. Thyeading. The threading canbe carried out with a single-point tol ina centrelathe with the same angles as for turning. The high speed steel dies can also be used, bt caze must be taken to ‘ensure that the thread is being cut and the material is not merely being pushedaside. may be noted ‘hat the threads cut directly in plastics materials will not withstand high loads and wil wear out ifthe screw fasteners are removed and replaced several times. When high srergth and reliability are required, then the threaded inserts are used. These can be pushed into a predrilled hole. 2416 Joining af Plastics Following ae the various methods of joining plastics 1. Hor gas welding. In this method, the surfoces tobe joined are clamped together: The hot sir from a special electrically heated torch or gun ata temperature of about 300°C is directed atthe surfaces and te filer rod (usually ofthe same material i pressed into the joint asthe area becomes tacky. The downward pressure ofthe filler rod makes the weld which fuses and solidifies as the welding proceeds, as shown in Fig. 23.9. It may be noted that more than one weld run may be necessary, depending upon the thickness of the material tobe joined. The filler rods are generally cireularin section and for small work, itis about 3 mm diameter, e Me aged as och == 58 nm eer “ Fora a Forte Fig. 23.9, Hot gas welding ‘The surfaces to the welded have to be prepared io accep the filler rod. The edges are chamfered to an included angle of 60° for but joint and for filet joints, an angle of 45° is used. The surfaces to be welded must be clean and fre from grease. ‘The hot gas welding method is used to weld PVC, polypropylene and polythene sheets 0fabricate tanks, vessels pipes for ll types of fluids and ducting 2, Hot sealing. In this method, a heated metal stip or bar ata temperature between 180°C ‘and 230°C, is used. ‘The plastic film or sheets are brought in cortct with the heated strip until they aresuliciently sft. Atthistime, the plastic film or sheets are removed from the heat and held firmly ‘nt the melted plastic cools and makes firm joint This method is used on nylon and with polyethylene sheet such asin the manufacture of polyethylene bags. 3, Solvent welding. In this method, the solvent is applied tothe plastic surfaces to be joined which dissolve the edges and produce tacky surfaces, They ar then brought together, moved slightly ‘contact in comect postion to dry and harden, The drying time anges ‘The main uses of solvents are with polystyrene used in the manufacture of toys, display signs, ‘omaments and models. ‘The main disadvantage of solvent welding isthe risk of some of the solvent reaching surfaces, ‘other than those being joined and leaving a mark. Care must be aken when using solvents as many ‘ze lammable and give off toxie vapours. 4. Friction welding. This metho is limited to round plastic parts which can be rotated while incontactto generate heat. The frictional heat melts the interfaces and when the motion is stopped, the parts fuse together. A speed of3 to 4.5 mis and a pressure ranging from 0.14 to 1.4 MPa must be matched tothe material to produce the right amount of heat ‘5. Wtirasonic welding. In this method, high frequency sound waves (about 20 kHz) are ‘sed, Tt works best on those thermoplstc materials which have relatively low melting points and ‘modolus of elasticity preater than 1380 MN/m?. Tn thi method, a sonic tip is placed at the centre or the part which transmits sound waves tothe joint and converted into frictional heat. The operation takes 3 to4 seconds QUESTIONS 1, Whatare the differen types of plastics and their properties ? 2. What are the general properties of plastics that account for heir use as engineering material? 3. Deseribe the various types of thermosetting plastics. 4, Diseuss the function of the following in plastics (@ Fillers; () Stabilisers, (© Plastcisers, and '@ Accelatrs. 5. Describe with neat sketches the following plastic processing methods, stating their advantages and application (@) Compression moulding, and () Injection moulding, ‘6. What are the advantages of injection moulding over the compression moulding process of plastics ? 17. What are laminated plastics ? Give their important properties and uses. | '&. Explain the difference between high pressure and iow pressure plastic iaminating process. | : | Describe any one of them. 9. Wiite short notes on machining and joining of plastics,