Thermoplastics

Group III
Cayabyab, Shield R.
Espiritu, Micoh L.
Mendoza, Maynard T.
Radia, Rezvani M.
History of Thermoplastics
 Before synthetic thermoplastics existed, the closest comparable
substances were Gutta Percha, a natural resin from the Isonandra
Gutta tree, discovered in 1842 by Dr. William Montgomerie.
 In 1843 after the discovery of Dr. William Montgomerie, Vulcanization
process was patented by Charles Goodyear.
 Vulcanite, was first used to make jewelry, novelty items and
waterproof goods, but it only produced black at that time. Color could
only be added to the surface with dyes and shellacs.
 The first truly man-made thermoplastic was an invention of English
scientist Alexander Parkes. He unveiled Parkesine at the 1862 London
International Exhibition. Parkesine, an organic material that could be
heated and molded but would retain its shape when cooled.
 After a year, Daniel Spill tried to market a similar substance under the
name Xylonite (from the Greek xylon, meaning "wood" — some of it
looked like imitation wood). 
 John Wesley Hyatt and his brothers Charles and Isiah tried various
compositions and patented several ideas; including an “improved
method of making solid collodion” (collodion was a syrupy solution of
cellulose nitrate in ether and alcohol).
 Celluloid became the generic name for all cellulose nitrate-based
plastics and its use as a substitute to various kinds of plastics that we
still use today.
 In 1839, a German apothecary called Eduard Simon first isolated
polystyrene molecular chains from a natural resin, however, he did not
know what he had discovered.
 Bakelite was discovered in 1909 by a New York chemist, Belgian-born
Dr. Leo Hendrik Baekeland, the son of a shoemaker. Bakelite is
probably the most collectible and valuable thermoplastic in existence
today.
 Lucite was invented by accident in 1931 by chemists at DuPont’s
research laboratories. It was crystal clear, resistant to water and
ultraviolet rays, and was low density yet stronger than previous
plastics.
 Polymer

Source Structure
Property
Classification through its source/availability
 Natural Polymers
These polymers exist naturally

Starch DNA Latex

 Semi-Synthetic Polymer
A polymer derived from natural polymer by means of chemicals.

Cellulose
 Synthetic Polymer
A polymer derived from petroleum, Also known as man-made polymer

Plastics Nylon Adhesive

Classification by its Structure
 Linear Polymers
The structure of polymers containing long and straight chains fall into this
category. PVC, i.e. poly-vinyl chloride is largely used for making pipes and
electric cables is an example of a linear polymer.
 Branched-chain Polymers
When linear chains of a polymer form branches, then, such polymers are
categorized as branched chain polymers. For example, Low-density polythene.
 Cross-linked Polymers
They are composed of bifunctional and trifunctional monomers. They have a
stronger covalent bond in comparison to other linear polymers. Bakelite and
melamine are examples in this category.
Most of the polymers around us are made up of a hydrocarbon backbone. A 
Hydrocarbon backbone being a long chain of linked carbon and hydrogen atoms,
possible due to the tetravalent nature of carbon.
A few examples of a hydrocarbon backbone polymer are polypropylene, polybutylene,
polystyrene. Also, there are polymers which instead of carbon have other elements in
its backbone. For example, Nylon, which contains nitrogen atoms in the repeated unit
backbone.
Thermoplastics
• The word plastic comes from the Greek word Plastikos, meaning “able to be
shaped and molded”.

• Plastics can be broadly classified into two major groups on the basis of their
chemical structure namely thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics.

• Thermoplastics are a class of polymers that can be softened and melted by the
application of heat, and can be processed either in the heat-softened state
(e.g. by thermoforming) or in the liquid state (e.g. by extrusion and injection
molding).

• Thermoplastic polymers can be processed repeatedly by the application of

heat and can be recycled directly into making new products.

• The common manufacturing processes used for making thermoplastic parts are
injection molding, blow molding and thermoforming.
•Plastic is a material that consists of wide range of synthetic and semisynthetic
organics.

•It is malleable material and can be molded into diverse shapes of solid objects.

•Plasticity is a general property of all materials.

•It is able to irreversibly deform without breaking.

 Groups of Thermoplastics
 Amorphous
Molecular chains are disorganized.
• Molecules are oriented randomly
and are intertwined
• Has a range of melting point
• Easy thermoforming process.
• Shrink uniformly, less tendency to
warp
• Prone to stress cracking
• Typically transparent
• Used in optical instruments
 Semicrystalline
The material exhibits organized
and tightly packed molecular chains.
• Defined melting point
• Greater shrinkage
• Good strength & wear
• Good chemical resistance
• Poor impact resistance
Types of Thermoplastics

 Polycarbonate
An amorphous engineering thermoplastic,
polycarbonates are characterized by a
combo of toughness, transparency,
heat/flame resistance and stability.

General-purpose molding and used to meet

Food and Drug Administration regulations for
parts in food-contact and medical applications.
 Acetal Homopolymer Polyoxymethylene
High tensile strength and resilience and
tough under repeated impact. Low moisture
absorption and excellent against friction and
abrasion

  Acetal Copolymer Polyoxymethylene

Lower melting temperatures, which make
them easier to process. These have high
tensile strength and are flexible with good
lubricity.
 Acrylic

Also known as Lucite, Perspex and Plexiglas, Acrylic – polymethyl

methacrylate (PMMA) – is used as a substitute for glass.

Application

Making motorcycle helmet visors, aquariums, windows on planes,

viewing ports for submersibles and exterior lights and lenses for cars. It
can also be used in medicine to replace eye glass lenses and in bone
cement. Acrylic paint is PMMA particles suspended in water.

  Nylon

Nylon belongs to the polyamides class of polymers and is used in

manufacturing heat-resistant materials.

Application

Nylon is often used as a substitute for silk in parachutes, flak vests,

women’s stockings, fabrics, rope, carpets and strings for musical
instruments. It can also be used for mechanical parts, machine screws
and power tool casings.
 Polyethylene

Tough and resistant to chemicals, polyethylene comes from a

group of materials categorized by density and molecular structure
and therefore can have different uses based on those
characteristics.

Based on the molecular weight and density of the polyethylene, it

can be used in everything from moving machine parts, bearings,
gears, artificial joints, bulletproof vests, margarine tubs, milk jugs,
pipes, bottles, sacks and sheets.

  Polypropylene

A thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of

applications. Everything from reusable plastic containers, diapers,
ropes, carpets, sanitary pads, piping systems, car batteries,
electrical cable insulation and filters for gases and liquids. It can
also be used as sheets for stationery folders, packaging and
storage boxes.
Applications of Thermoplastics
• Polypropene finds usage in a broad range of industries such as textiles, packaging,
stationery, plastics, aircraft, construction, rope, toys, etc.
• Polystyrene is one of the most common plastic, actively used in the packaging
industry. Bottles, toys, containers, trays, disposable glasses and plates, tv cabinets
and lids are some of the daily-used products made up of polystyrene. It is also used
as an insulator.
• The most important use of polyvinyl chloride is the manufacture of sewage pipes. It
is also used as an insulator in the electric cables.
• Polyvinyl chloride is used in clothing and furniture and has recently become popular
for the construction of doors and windows as well. It is also used in vinyl flooring.
• Urea-formaldehyde resins are used for making adhesives, moulds, laminated sheets,
unbreakable containers, etc.
• Glyptal is used for making paints, coatings, and lacquers.
• Bakelite is used for making electrical switches, kitchen products, toys, jewellery,
firearms, insulators, computer discs, etc.
Properties of Thermoplastics
 Physical Properties
• As chain length and cross-linking increases, the tensile strength of the polymer increases.
• Polymers do not melt, they change state from crystalline to semi-crystalline
 Chemical Properties
• Compared to conventional molecules with different side molecules, the polymer is
enabled with hydrogen bonding and ionic bonding resulting in better cross-linking
strength.
• Dipole-dipole bonding side chains enable the polymer for high flexibility.
• Polymers with Van der Waals forces linking chains are known to be weak, but give the
polymer a low melting point.
 Optical Properties
• Due to their ability to change their refractive index with temperature as in the case of
PMMA and HEMA: MMA, they are used in lasers for applications in spectroscopy and
analytical applications.
 Advantages
 Thermoplastics are energy efficient
both in their manufacture &
processing,
 Thermoplastic components can be
made in very high volume with high
precision & low cost,
 They can replace the metals with
considerable weight savings, proper
care is taken in design,

The thermoplastics can be remolded &
recycled without negatively affecting
the material’s physical properties
 Disadvantages
 Tend to fracture rather than deform
under high-stress levels
 They suffer from creep where the
thermoplastics materials relax or
weaken when they exposed to long-
term loading.
 The primary drawback of using the
thermoplastics instead of the materials
such as the metal is that the
thermoplastics can melt
Sources

 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemical-engineering/thermoplastics
#:~:text=Examples%20of%20thermoplastic%20materials%20are,%2C%20polysulf
ones%2C%20and%20polyphenylene%20sulfide
.
 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/thermoplastics?fbc
lid=IwAR3Sym6AZHr1REutcVV4XJT9H5J2O6qmt6WA6yKkedtvCYkgC5xmkBkLEt
Q
 https://byjus.com/jee/polymers/?fbclid=IwAR27D6lp-S4r_tL6iqLQvpYGy6LU-
WiuRa4HPo1AwhGKxizqql9t9Y0SjmA
  
https://www.online-sciences.com/industries/thermoplastics-properties-types-uses-ad
vantages-and-disadvantages/

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zqgmn39/revision/4