COMMON
TYPES OF
PLASTICS
DEFINITION OF PLASTICS
A plastic material is any of a wide range of
synthetic or semi-synthetic organic
amorphous solids used in the manufacture
of industrial products.
Plastics are typically polymers of high
molecular mass, and may contain other
substances to improve performance and/or
reduce costs. Monomers of plastic are
either natural or synthetic organic
compounds.
TYPES OF PLASTICS
There are two types of plastics: thermoplastics
and thermosetting polymers.
Thermoplastics will soften and melt if enough
heat is applied; examples are polyethylene,
polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
Thermosets can melt and take shape once;
Type of Properties Common Uses Recycled In
Plastic
PET Clear, tough Soft drink and Pillow and
Polyethylene solvent resistant, water bottles, sleeping bag
PE - HD
Terephthalate Hard to semi-
barrier to gas Crinkly shopping
salad domes, Recycling bins, ,
filling, clothing
High Density flexible ,
and moisture , bags , freezer
biscuit trays, compost bins,
soft drink
Polyethylene resistant
softens attoaround bags
salad, milk
dressing buckets detergent
bottles, carpet
(HDPE) chemicals
80°C and bottles , icebutter
and peanut cream containers, posts,
moisture, waxy containers
containers, juice fencing, pipes
surface, opaque, bottles, shampoo,
softens at around chemical and
75°C, easily detergent bottles,
colored, processed buckets, rigid
and formed agricultural pipe,
milk crates
Type of Plastic Properties Common Uses Recycled In
PVC Strong, tough, can Cosmetic Flooring, film and
Unplasticised be clear, can be containers, sheets, cables,
PE - LD
Polyvinyl Soft , flexible
solvent welded,, Plastic
electricalFood wrap , Rubbish bin,
speed bumps
Low density
Chloride PVC-U waxy
softenssurface ,
at around garbage
conduit, bags ,
plumbing liners, pallet
packaging ,
Polyethylene
translucent
80°C , squeeze
pipes and bottles , sheets
binders, mud flaps
LDPE)
(Plasticised softens
at 70°C, black irrigation
fittings, blister and mats
Polyvinyl scratches easily
Flexible, clear , tube
packs, ,garbage
wall bins
Chloride PCV-P elastic, can be cladding, roof
solvent welded sheeting, bottles
garden hose, shoe
soles, cable
sheathing, blood
bags and tubing,
watch straps
Type of Plastic Properties Common Uses Recycled In
PP Hard but still Dip bottles and ice Pegs, bins, pipes,
Polypropylene flexible, waxy cream tubs, potato pallet sheets, oil
PS Clear , glassy
surface , rigid
, softens at , CD
chipcases
bags, ,plastic
straws, Coat hangers
funnels , car ,battery
Polystyrene brittle
around 140, opaque
° C, , cutlery
microwave , imitation
dishes, coasters , white ware
cases, trays
semi -tough, ,softens 'crystal
translucent glassware', components,
kettles, garden
PS - E at
withstands solvents, furniturebrittle
95 ° C . Affected by low cost , lunch stationery trays and
Expanded Polystyrene fats and solvents
versatile toys
boxes, ,video
blue cases
packing accessories
tape
Foamed, light weight, Foamed polystyrene
energy absorbing, hot drink cups,
heat insulating hamburger takeaway
clamshells, foamed
meat trays,
protective packaging
for fragile items
Type of Plastic Properties Common Uses Recycled In
OTHER Includes all Car parts, Car parts,
Letters below other resins and appliance parts, concrete
indicate ISO code multi materials electronics, water aggregate, plastic
for plastic type (e.g. laminates). cooler bottles, timber
e.g. SAN, ABS, PC, Properties depend packaging
Nylon on plastic or
combination of
plastics
REFERENCES
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