Plastics

Question 1

Name the thermoplastics (10).

Answer 1

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
Polypropylene (PP)
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polystyrene (PS) - Expanded Polystyrene
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Polyvinyl Chloride (unplasticised - PVC)
Polyvinyl Chloride (plasticised - uPVC)
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Question 2

Name the thermosets (4).

Answer 2

Melamine Formaldehyde
Epoxy Resins
Polyester Resins
Urea Formaldehyde

Question 3

What the properties of HIPS? (3)

Answer 3

Impact resistant
Stiff
Lightweight

Question 4

What are the uses of HIPS? (2)

Answer 4

Toys

Fridge linings

Question 5

What are the properties of PP? (3)

Answer 5

Food safe
Chemical resistant
Lightweight

Question 6

What are the uses of PP? (2)

Answer 6

Food containers

Rope

Question 7

What are the properties of PC? (2)

Answer 7

VERY tough

Chemical resistant

Question 8

What are the uses of PC? (2)

Answer 8

Protective shields

Hairdryer bodies

Question 9

What are the properties of PS? (3)

Answer 9

Not impact resistant
Lightweight
Rigid

Question 10

What are the uses of PS? (2)

Answer 10

Packaging

Disposable plates/cups/cutlery

Question 11

What are the properties of expanded polystyrene? (3)

Answer 11

Lightweight
Float
Insulator

Question 12

What are the uses of expanded polystyrene? (2)

Answer 12

Disposable cups

Insulation

Question 13

What are the properties of HDPE? (3)

Answer 13

High density
Stiff
Chemical resistant

Question 14

What are the uses of HDPE? (2)

Answer 14

Crates

Buckets

Question 15

What are the properties of LDPE? (3)

Answer 15

Low density
Flexible
Chemical Resistant

Question 16

What are the uses of LDPE? (2)

Answer 16

Toys

Detergent bottles

Question 17

What are the properties of uPVC? (3)

Answer 17

Hard
Tough
Weather and chemical resistant

Question 18

What are the uses of uPVC? (3)

Answer 18

Pipes
Buttering
Window frames

Question 19

What are the properties of PVC? (3)

Answer 19

Tough
Flexible
Weather and chemical resistant

Question 20

What are the uses of PVC? (2)

Answer 20

Cable insulation

Hose pipes

Question 21

What are the properties of PET? (1)

Answer 21

Chemical resistant

Question 22

What are the uses for PET? (3)

Answer 22

Clothing
Drinks bottles
Electrical plugs

Question 23

What are the properties of melamine formaldehyde? (2)

Answer 23

Scratch resistant

Strong

Question 24

What are the uses of melamine formaldehyde? (2)

Answer 24

Tableware

Laminates

Question 25

What are the properties of epoxy resins when mixed with fibres? (2)

Answer 25

Strong | Weather and chemical resistant

Question 26

What are the uses of epoxy resins? (2)

Answer 26

Glue | Surface coating

Question 27

What are the properties of polyester resins when mixed with fibres? (2)

Answer 27

Brittle | Heat and chemical resistant

Question 28

What are the uses of polyester resins? (1)

Answer 28

Glass-reinforced-plastic

Question 29

What are the properties of urea formaldehyde? (3)

Answer 29

Brittle Strong Heat resistant

Question 30

What are the uses of urea formaldehyde? (2)

Answer 30

Glue | Electrical fittings

Question 31

What additives can be added to polymers? (5)

Answer 31

``` Filler Flame-retardant Anti-static agent Plasticiser Stabiliser ```

Question 32

What is a filler?

Answer 32

An additive which bulks out the polymer granules/powder. Eg: sawdust.

Question 33

What is a flame-retardant?

Answer 33

An additive which makes a chemical reaction on the surface of the plastic product when it starts to combust, this stifles the combustion. Eg: used in polymer foam in seat cushions.

Question 34

What is an anti-static agent?

Answer 34

An additive which reduces the effects of static charges in synthetic materials.

Question 35

What is a plasticiser?

Answer 35

An additive which makes the polymer product less brittle and lowers the melting temperature.

Question 36

What is a stabiliser?

Answer 36

An additive which protects the polymer against the effects of UV (sunlight) exposure, like fading and breaking down. Eg: in window and door uPVC.

Question 37

What are biodegradable plastics?

Answer 37

Plastics that can break down all by themselves with warmth, dampness, contact with micro-organisms and time.

Question 38

What is bio-batch?

Answer 38

An additive which shortens the degrading time for oil-based plastics to less than 5 years

Question 39

Name applications of biodegradable plastics (6).

Answer 39

``` Shopping bags Food trays Drinks bottles Disposable bowls Disposable cutlery Disposable gloves ```

Question 40

What are water-soluble polymers?

Answer 40

Polymers that degrade in water. Eg: washing detergent pouches.