PLASTICS IN CONSTRUCTION

INDUSTRY

BY:
AR GEETIKA JHA
 ⮚The word plastic is a common term for many products in everyday life that
are synthetic or semi-synthetic in nature.

⮚The term was derived from the Greek word “plastikos” which means, fit for
moulding

In analytical terms, plastics

are basically polymers of
carbon compounds with other
elements such as H, O, N, etc.
Solvent Based epoxy floor coatings Vinyl Flooring or PVC Flooring
PROPERTIES

Their resins are capable of plastic deformation when heat and pressure are
applied on them

This is because their molecular structure consists of long chains of large

molecules loosely tangled together

They are light weight and lack stiffness

Has toughness and good tensile strength

A large number of plastics can be manufactured by changing the composition,

length and character of their chains.

There are more than 10,000 varieties of plastics available in the market and the
number is increasing.
MANUFACTURING

The production of plastics take

through a process known as
POLYMERISATION

A substance containing one

primary chemical is a monomer

Combining thousands monomers

as a long chain of molecules forms a
polymer through the process of
polymerisation.
FABRICATION

1. Blowing
2. Calendering
3. Casting
4. Laminating
5. Moulding

Blowing process
Calendaring
 Extrusion moulding

Compression moulding
Extrusion moulding
Injection moulding
Jet Moulding
Transfer moulding
CLASSIFICATION

ACCORDING TO ITS THERMAL PROPERTIES:

THERMOPLASTICS:
are plastics that soften on heating without undergoing a chemical change

⮚Polyvinyl chloride
⮚Acrylics
⮚Polycarbonates
⮚Polyethane
⮚Nylon

THERMOSETS:
Are the ones that undergo a chemical change when heated and a new inert
material is formed which does not soften on subsequent heating.

⮚Polyester
⮚Formaldeydes
⮚Casein
CLASSIFICATION

On the basis of structure

1. Homogeneous plastic: contains only carbon atoms

2. Hetrogeneous plastic: contains chains consisting of carbon, oxygen,
nitrogen etc

On the basis of physical and mechanical properties

3. Rigid Plastics
4. Soft Plastics
5. Semi rigid
6. Elastomers
RESIN

Thermoplastic resin :
Alkyd, Cellulose, Cumarone indene, Methyl methacrylate, Styrene, Vinyl

Thermosetting Resin:
Casein, Melamine formaldehyde, Phenol formaldehyde, Phenol
furfuraldehyde, UUrea formaldehyde
Moulding Compounds

1. Catalysts: Added to assist and accelerate the hardening of resin.

2. Fillers: Inert materials that impart strength, hardness and other properties
to plastics

3. Hardners: To increase hardness of plastics

4. Lubricants: Easy removal of articles of plastics from the moulds

5. Pigments

6. Plasticizers: Used to separate polymer chain by greater distance to make

crystilisation difficult.
USES OF PLASTICS

1. Sanitary Units
2. Cistern ball floats
3. Corrugated and plain sheets
4. Decorative laminates and mouldings
5. Electrical conduits
6. Electrical insulators
7. Films of waterproofing
8. Floor tiles
9. Foams for thermal insulation
10. Jointless flooring
11. Lighting fixtures
12. Overhead water tanks
13. Paints and varnishes
14. Water conduits
15. Roof lights
16. Safety glass
17. Wall tiles
18. Water resistant adhesives
 THERMOPLASTICS: HIGH DENSITY POLYETHENE

HDPE is used for buckets, basins,

bottles, containers etc.

Tough, feels waxy, resitant to

chemicals

THERMOPLASTICS: LOW DENSITY POLYETHENE

LDPE applications are film based.

Industry uses include wires and cable coatings

Plastic bags and bottles are also manufactured

using injection moulding
POLY VINYL CHLORIDE

Rigid

Water and weather resistant

Light weight

High resistance to chemicals

Easily manufacturing and cheap

USED AS:

Gutter, drain pipes

Plumbing fixtures

Window frames and shutters

Furniture equipments
ACRYLICS

The resin is derived from coal,

petroleum and water

Glossy finish

High breaking resistance

Stiff and hard

Unaffected by most detergents and

chemicals

High resistance to heat

Bath’s fixture and sanitary ware

EPOXY RESINS

Mostly used adhesives, coatings and

castings

Eg. Araldite

Sealing cracks in concrete or

masonary,

As bonding coat for plaster

Can be injected as a solution into

holes where it will get harden

Also used for water proofing etc

GLASS REINFORCEd PLASTICS

Composite material made from

resin and glass fibre

Lightweight, yet extremely strong

material

High elasticity, and can be made

into forms such as strands.

Mats made of fibreglass and

reinforced plastics are used as
reinforcing membrane in
waterproofing

Translucent fibre sheets are used for

roofing

Building components
ADVANTAGES:

⮚ It can be made in attractive colours.

⮚Has good resistance against almost all chemicals

⮚It has good dimensional stability as with other engineering materials

⮚Plastics are durable

⮚Are good electric insulators, hence extensively used for plugs, switches, etc

⮚Easy to fabricated

⮚Takes good finishes

⮚Light weight

⮚Low thermal conductivity

DISADVANTAGES:

⮚High thermal expansion

⮚Under direct sunlight, they are not durable

⮚Low ductility

⮚Lack of fire resistance

⮚Low melting point

⮚Not suitable for structural members