Plastics

Name

Properties

Principle Uses

Polyamide (Nylon)

• Tough, fairly hard, self-lubricating, resists wear, good resistance to chemicals and machines

• Casing for power tools, curtain rail fittings and clothing

Polymethyl methacrylate (Acrylic)

• Stiff, hard but scratches easily, durable, brittle in small sections, good electrical insulator, machines and polishes well

• Signs, aircraft canopies and windows, covers for car lights, wash basins and baths

High impact polystyrene (HIPS)

• Light but hard plastic
• Available in sheets but softens at high temperatures

• Common for school projects which include products' outer casings or packaging.

Polypropylene (PP)

• Light plastic, hard but can scratch easily, tough, resistance to chemicals, resists work fatigue

• Used for medical and laboratory equipment, seating, rope, some kitchen equipment

Polythene:

- low density (LDPE)

• Tough, resistance to chemicals, flexible, fairly soft, good electrical insulator

• Plastic bottles, toys, packaging film and bags

Polythene:

- high density (HDPE)

• Stiff, hard, able to be sterilised

• Plastic bottles, tubing and milk crate

PVC

• Stiff and hard wearing

• Air and water pipes and medical devices

Name

Properties

Principle Uses

Epoxy resin

(Epoxide, ER)

• Good electrical insulator, hard, brittle unless reinforced, resists chemicals

• Used for printed circuit boards (PCBs) and surface coatings and adhesives

Melamine formaldehyde (MF)

• Stiff, hard, strong, resists some chemicals and staining

• Electrical insulation and tableware

Polyester resin (PR)

• Stiff, hard, brittle unless laminated, good electrical insulator, resists chemicals

• Used for car bodies and boats

Urea formaldehyde (UF)

• Stiff, hard, strong, brittle, good electrical insulator

• Used for electrical fittings and adhesives

Phenol formaldehyde (PF, Bakelite)

• Hard and brittle

• Board and table top games and billiard balls