Improveing Prperties Of Plastics - Additives

Question 1

Why is Heat treatment used and what does it do?

Answer 1

Generally used on metals, but is the process where heat is applied to change/ improve the internal properties of the materials.

Hardening
Tempering

Question 2

What is a flame retardant

Answer 2

An additive added to reduce the risk of combustion.
Works by chemical reaction occurring when the combustion process begins.

Used in the foam in seat cushions

Question 3

Anti static Agents

Answer 3

Used to reduce the effects of the static charge which is built up on products such as carpets made from synthetic materials.

Question 4

What is a Plasticiser

Answer 4

This is added to improve the flow properties of the polymer when being moulded.
Reduce the softening temperature and make the material less brittle.

Question 5

What is a stabiliser

Answer 5

This helps the materials resistance to external effects such as the ultra violet light which is priced by the sun which weakens polymers.
Commonly used on products exposed to a lot of sunlight such as window and door frames.