PLASTIC IN CONSTRUCTION

• Introduction
The construction industry has been historically dependent
on traditional building materials such as concrete, steel, and
wood. However, the environmental concerns and the need for
sustainable practices have led to the exploration of
alternative materials, including plastics.

• Types of plastic used

• Polyvinyl Chloride Plastic (PVC) :It is a versatile and durable material . Its popularity is attributed to its affordability
and relatively low price .
Properties - resistance to moisture, chemicals, and corrosion, making it an ideal choice for plumbing pipes, electrical conduits
and window frames. Additionally, PVC is lightweight, which simplifies transportation and installation, reducing labor costs.
Disadvantages -environmental impact during production and disposal, as well as concerns about the release of toxic fumes
in case of fire.

• Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (UPVC) : Unlike regular PVC, uPVC is not plasticized, meaning it does not contain added
plasticizers to make it more flexible.
Properties – durable ,thermal and sound insulation, water and fire resistant, versatile ,low maintenance
Disadvantages – limited colour options , non biodegradable ,toxic emission in fire ,lack of repairability ,initial cost
• Acrylic :Acrylic is a type of plastic that is known for its transparency,
durability, and versatility.
Properties – transparent ,durable , versatile.
Use - Acrylic Sheets and Panels, Sealants and Adhesives, Paints and
Coatings, Fiberglass Reinforced Products, Roofing

• Polystyrene Plastic (PS) : Polystyrene plastic, often referred to simply as "Styrofoam’’.

Use- used as a lightweight material to fill in voids within a concrete structure, the
polystyrene would be left in place reducing the weight of the area.
Properties- Insulation, Lightweight Fill, Void Forms, Geofoam.
Types- Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)

• Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA): often referred to by its brand names like Plexiglas,
Lucite, or acrylic glass
Properties- optical clarity, UV stability, resistance etc.
Use - sound barriers, facades, aquaria and greenhouses.

• Polyester Resin (PR) : Polyester resin (PR) is a versatile thermosetting polymer that is
used in various building and construction applications.
Properties -durable, corrosion resistant, ease of use, and cost-effective.
Use - Boat Building, Concrete Repair and Restoration, Decorative Surfaces Sealants and
Adhesives.
• Phenolic Resin (PF)
• Organic Silicon Resin (SI)
• Polyethylene Plastic (PE)
• Benefits of using plastic • Future trends and innovations in
1. Lightweight plastic use in building construction
2. Durable
3. Low maintenance 1. Biodegradable and Recycled Plastics: The construction
4. Insulation industry is increasingly focusing on biodegradable and
5. Desingn flexibility recycled plastics to reduce its environmental footprint.
6. Water and chemical resistance. 2. 3D Printing with Plastics: 3D printing technologies are
gaining momentum in construction. Plastic-based materials,
It's important to note that the specific benefits of using plastic in such as thermoplastic polymers, are used in large-scale 3D
construction depends on the type of plastic material, the intended printing to create entire building components, such as walls
application, and the local environmental conditions . , columns, and facades.
3. Lightweight Structural Plastics: Lightweight structural
• Top brands in market plastics, such as fiber-reinforced composites and
carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics, are being used for
1.Dow 1.Kingspan load-bearing applications.
2.BAS 2.Plexiglas (by Röhm)
3.Sika 3.Plasti-Fab
4.DuPont 4.GAF
5.Saint-Gobain 5.Johns Manville
6.Owens Corning 6.Rheinzink
7.Covestro 7.AEP Span
8.Carlisle Construction Materials

• Conclusion
Plastic is widely used with its implications increasing with each passing day.
This is due to its unique properties like durability , Low cost, low maintenance,
energy efficient , lightweight ,design flexibility. However despite all its advantages
it has some cons , Mainly its environmental impact , fire safety concerns , long term
plans and disposal challenges.