PROPERTIES OF PLASTICS

What is Plastic?
Plastic is a polymer just like synthetic fibers
which can be molded into desired shape and
size when soft and can be hardened to
produce durable articles. The term ‘Plastic’
was derived from the word ‘Plastikos’ which
means ‘to mould’ in Greek, and it is used to
refer to a wide range of semi-synthetic or
synthetic organic polymers. Different types of
plastics are known to possess different
physical and chemical properties. Many
articles like chairs, tables, buckets, toys, balls,
etc are made of plastic material.
Appearance
Some plastics are completely
transparent appearance. in the
addition of suitable pigments,
the plastics can be made to
have appearance of variety of
attractive, opaque, stable and
translucent colours.
 The plastics offer great resistance to moisture,
chemicals and solvents. The degree of
Chemical chemical resistance depends on the chemical
composition of plastics. Many plastics are
Resistance found to possess excellent corrosion
resistance. Hence they are used to convey
chemicals
Dimensional stability

This property of plastic favours

quite satisfactorily with that of
other common engineering
materials.
Ductility

The plastic lacks ductility.

Hence its members may fail
without warning

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 Durability
The plastics are quite durable, if
they possess sufficient surface
hardness. The plastics, especially
thermo-plastic varieties, are likely
to be attacked by termites and
rodents. But the danger of such an
attack is not very serious due to the
fact that the plastics have no
nutritional value.
Electric
Insulation
The plastics possess
excellent electric
insulating property. They
are far superior to
ordinary electric
insulators..
 Finishing
Any surface treatment may be
given to the plastics. It is also
easy to have technical control
during its manufacture. It results
in mass production of plastic
articles with uniformity of
surface finish.
 Fixing
The plastics can be easily
fixed in position. They
can be bolted, clamped,
drilled, glued, screw-
threaded or simply push-
fitted in position.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.

 Humidity
The properties of plastics
are governed to some extent
by humidity. The strength of
plastics containing water attracting
groups such as cellulosic plastics,
is considerably affected by
the presence of moisture. The
plastics which do not contain water
attracting groups such as polyvinyl
chloride plastics, offer great
resistance to the moisture.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.
Maintenance
It is easy to maintain
plastic surfaces. They do
not require any
protective coat of
paints.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

 Melting point
Most of the plastics have low melting point and
the melting point of some plastics is only about
50°C. They cannot therefore be used in
positions having high temperatures or to
convey boiling water. In general, it can be said
that the coefficient of thermal expansion of
plastics is about ten times than that of steel.
The thermo-setting varieties of plastics are less
susceptible to heat than thermo-plastic
varieties of plastics. To improve the resistance
of plastics to heat, the glass fibre reinforcement
may be added in the structure of plastics.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC.

Optical property

Several types of plastics are

transparent and translucent.
 The acoustical boards are prepared
Sound by impregnating fibre-glass with
absorption phenolic resins. This material has
absorption coefficient of about 0.67.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY.

 An ideal section of plastics for structural member has
yet not been designed. The plastics are reasonably
strong. The strength of plastics may be increased by
reinforcing with various fibrous materials. The plastic
members can be used as tensile members as their
strength to weight ratio in tension very nearly
approaches to that of metals. But the following
Strength considerations are responsible to discourage the use of
plastics as the structural material:
• (i) The plastics are costly.
• (ii) The plastics are subject to creep
under constant heavy loads.
• (iii) The behaviour of plastics is very sensitive to the
changes in temperature.
• (iv) The stiffness of plastics is very poor.
Thermal property

The thermal conductivity

of plastics is low and it can
be compared with that of
wood. The foamed or
expanded plastics are
among the leading thermal
insulators.
 Only limited varieties of plastics can be
exposed to weather. The important
group of plastics which can resist
weather effects is one prepared from
Weather phenolic resins. The certain plastics are
seriously affected by ultraviolet light in
the presence of sunlight. The resistance
Resistance to sunlight of such plastics can be
improved by incorporating fillers and
pigments which absorb or reflect the
ultraviolet light at the surface. Thus the
interior of plastics is protected.
Weight
The plastics, whether thermo-
plastic or thermo-setting, have low
specific gravity, the average being
1.30 to 1.40. The light weight of
plastics reduces the transport
costs and facilitates fixing.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.

Dimensional
Stability
This property of plastic favours
quite satisfactorily with that of
other common engineering
materials.
 Recycling
The most environmentally aware people
condemn the use of plastics for the amount
of pollution caused by them in disposal.
However this is not a serious problem in
comparison to the waste and pollution
generated by a host of other industries. The
plastics used for soft-drink bottles, milk and
juice bottles, bread bags, syrup bottles,
coffee cups, plastic utensils, etc. can be
conveniently recycled into carpets,
detergent bottles, drainage pipes, fencing,
handrails, grocery bags, car battery cases,
pencil holders, benches, picnic tables,
roadside posts, etc.
 Submitted by:

Abi Anil
The End Amal Rahman TM
Anna Mary Paul
Sebastian Benny