GNDEC SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

Building Construction and Materials - IV

Submitted To: Ar. Harpreet Kaur Submitted By: Awaljot Kaur (2099002)
Ar. Navjot Kaur Arshdeep Singh (2099017)
Ar. Gazal Soni
PLASTIC
AS BUILDING MATERIAL
INTRODUCTION

Plastics are a wide range of ● Appearance

synthetic or semi-synthetic ● Chemical resistance
● Dimensional stability
materials that use polymers as a
● Ductility
main ingredient. Their plasticity ● Durability
makes it possible for plastics to be ● Electric insulation
moulded, extruded or pressed into ● Finishing
● Fire resistance
solid objects of various shapes.
● Fixing
The success of plastic as an ● Humidity
engineering material will depends ● Maintenance
● Melting point
up on the selection of variety of
● Optical property
plastic. Following are the general ● Recycling
properties of plastic. ● Sound absorption
● Strength
● Thermal property
● Weather resistance
● Weight

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PLASTIC IN CABLE INSULATION
The insulation consists of placing an insulating coating on the conductor to prevent current leakage.
They are classified into two large groups: thermoplastic and thermoset.
Plastic is categorized under thermoplastic insulation; the actual material is PVC:Polyvinyl chloride.

PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) is widely used in electrical cable construction for insulation, bedding and
sheathing.
In 1950s, PVC started to replace rubber in household wiring.
Cost-effective.
Excellent ageing properties.
Exceeds a 25 to 30 year service life.
Flame retardant.
Tough, durable and resistant to abrasion.
The addition of various additives can improve its temperature range, typically from -40 to 105°C, as
well as the resistance to sunlight, reduced smoke emission and improved water resistance.
There are thermoset versions of PVC which are cross-linked, typically with electron beam technology
but they are more expensive to use and so when specified they are typically in high-spec applications
in industries such as defence and automotive. The thermoset or cross-linked PVC has improved
temperature resistance, is tougher, and has a better dielectric strength, which means that a thinner
coating or insulation layer can be applied making the overall cable dimension smaller.
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 Comparison of PVC with other insulating materials
PVC RUBBER SILICONE

● Inexpensive. More ● A cross between ● Highly flexible

ADVANTAGES resistance to silicone and PCV.
chemicals, better abrasion
corrosion, impact, resistance than
abrasion, silicon.
weathering.

ENVIRONMENT ● Indoor/outdoor ● Outdoor and ● High and Low

industrial temperature
environments
● -103°F to 482°F
TEMPERATURE ● -40°F to 221°F ● -13°F to 140°F
● Softest surface
HARDNESS Harder surface ● Softer surface
● ● Attracts static
Less flexibility ● Can’t be used with
DISADVANTAGES ●
high temperatures.
Limited color
choices.
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WPC - WOOD PLASTIC COMPOSITE

Wood-plastic composites (WPCs) are composite materials made of wood fiber/wood

flour and thermoplastic(s) such as polythene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), or polylactic acid (PLA). In addition to wood fiber and plastic, WPCs
can also contain other ligno-cellulosic and/or inorganic filler materials.
The company that invented and patented the process to create WPC was ‘Covema of
Milan’ in ‘1960’, founded by ‘Terragni brothers (Dino and Marco)’.
It is available in the size of 8’x4’. The thickness varies from 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm,
12mm, 15mm, 17mm, 18mm, 20mm and 25mm.
The density of the board is 600 kg/cm³.
For the 18mm thickness of WPC board, the rate will be approximately 95/- per sq. ft.
The rate depends on density, thickness, brands and location.
WPC board is now an emerging material that is modern and long-lasting. Replacing
the traditional construction materials due to their strength, modern design and
many more characteristics.

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ADVANTAGES

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DISADVANTAGES USES

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THANK YOU