ADAMA UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
POST GRADUATE PROGRAMME IN BUILDING TECHNOLOY
AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
MODERN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS (BTCM-611)
SEMINAR PAPER ON PLASTIC MATERIALS
PRESENTER: JOVANI YIFRU
INSTRUCTOR AND ADVISOR: Dr. REDY
DATE: JUNE 13, 2008
INTRODUCTION
Broadly speaking any material that
shows the property of plasticity, i.e.
the capacity to undergo a change in
shape under external pressure and
retain the new shape even when the
pressure is withdrawn, is called a
PLASTIC MATERIAL.
GENERAL PROPERTIES
Light weight, plastics are undoubtedly the lightest of
engineering materials, their density varying between
1.1g/cc to 1.6g/cc compared to 1.75 of magnesium.
High resistivity to corrosion and also to electric current
makes them ideal materials as insulators.
Low thermal conductivity makes them suitable
materials for use as thermal insulators.
Easy formability, many intricate shapes and complicated
designs can be given to plastics with considerable ease and
at economical cost. Hence, these offer unlimited choice in
product design.
Appeasing colour and finish, plastics are amendable to
acquiring any desired colour besides taking the desired
shape and smooth excellent surface finish.
Low cost, compared to similar products made from other
materials, plastics are generally economical in cost.
CLASIFICATION
THERMOPLASTICS: All those varieties
of plastics which become soft when
heated, so much so that they can be
remoulded again and again, are
classified as thermoplastics.
THERMOSETTING PLASTICS: As the
name indicates, this group of plastics
hardens and sets on heating and curing
at a particular range of temperature and
pressure only.
CONSTITUTION OF
PLASTICS
Plastics are some times called organic
polymers, made by combining units called
“monomers”.
The process of combining monomers is called
polymerization.
Monomers polymerization→ Polymer
Three methods
Addition polymerization
Condensation polymerization
Copolymerization
ADDITION POLYMERIZATION
Involves the straight-forward addition of
monomers of the same kind.
The process can be repeated till a desired
polymer is obtained.
Usually require conditions like temperature,
pressure and the presence of catalyst.
A + A… → A-A-A-A-….
(Homogeneous type)
e.g., polyethylene
CONDENSATION
POLYMERIZATION
Involves polymerization reaction between two
monomers with the elimination of a simple by
product such as water, hydrogen chloride, etc.
Important in the formation of non-linear
polymer structure.
A +B → AB + simple by product
phenol + formaldehyde =backelite + water
e.g., nylon, terylene
COPOLYMERIZATION
Addition polymerization of two or more types
of monomers.
This is because some monomers respond to
addition with other monomers than
themselves.
The copolymer may be produced with either a
random or ordered linear structure.
A +B+A+B+… → A-B-A-B…
(Copolymer type)
e.g., butadine-styrene
MANUFACTURE OF
PLASTICS
The polymer is produced by polymerization of a
monomer.
The polymer formed is ground into powder or
broken up into granules.
In order to produce a suitable moulding material
it is then compounded with variety of additives.
The basic raw materials
Resins
Fillers
Plasticizers
Pigments
RESINS (BINDERS)
These are the starting materials in the
plastic industry.
They are natural or synthetic products of
organic constitution.
The more common types of resins are
conveniently grouped under two groups:
thermoplastic resins and thermosetting
resins.
RESINS cont…
The Thermoplastic The Thermosetting
Resins Resins
Celluloid Phenolic
Ethyl cellulose Urea-formaldehyde
Vinyl Furfuryl
Polyamide Shellac
FILLERS
Used with a view of increasing the
bulk weights of plastics with out
interfering adversely in their
properties.
Impart useful properties of shock
resistance and strength against
fracturing to plastics.
e.g., wood pulp, corn, cotton…
PLASTICIZERS
Used to obtain improvement in certain
properties in which the resins may be
lacking.
Properties like shock-resistance,
toughness, flexibility and non-
inflammability can be greatly improved.
e.g., dibutyl phthalate, tricresyl
phosphate, butyl cleate…
PIGMENTS
Added to the plastics at the time of
manufacture to impart them a desired
colour.
It is essential that the type of pigment
selected should be durable and inert
towards plastics resins.
e.g., Zinc oxide, barytes …
FABRICATION OF
PLASTICS
The polymers which are available in the
form of powder are processed to form
useful shapes by using different methods.
The selection of the method depends on
the type of plastic resins being used and
the design of the end product.
Methods :
Casting
Moulding
CASTING
It is an expensive method but products
obtained are quite strong and hard.
Suitable when only a limited number of
items of any particular design is
required.
Involves :
Heating the resins
Pouring the hot liquid
Curing the product
MOULDING
It is very common method in plastic
industry.
Involves shaping the material under
high pressure or temperature or both
factors operating simultaneously.
Types : compression, injection,
transfer, extrusion, cold, calendering
and laminating.
COMPRESSION MOULDING
The most commonly used in the forming of parts to be
made from thermosetting plastics.
In this the plastic is pressed into the mould in a heated
state.
INJECTION MOULDING
Common process for producing shapes from thermoplastic
materials.
The process is fully automatic and the production rates are
high.
CALENDERING
A process used for forming thermoplastic sheet material.
Sheets about 1m in width can be produced by this
process.
USES OF PLASTICS
Advantages of plastics over other materials
Excellent combination of mechanical and
electrical properties;
Light weight combined with adequate strength
characteristics;
Easy fabrication into most intricate designs;
Uniform finish and colour adaptability and
Much lower cost.
PLASTICS IN CIVIL
ENGINEERING
The inherent qualities of plastics have
made them popular materials in many
parts of a building.
Typical uses of plastics :
Flooring and wall tiles
Water storage and conducting
Plastics sheeting and pannels
Thank you