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Polymers Flashcards

(42 cards)

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1
Q

What are thermoforming polymers?

A

Polymers that can be formed, heated and re-formed indefinitely

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2
Q

What are thermosetting polymers?

A

Polymers that once formed, cannot be heated or re-formed.

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3
Q

What are the properties of acrylic (PMMA)?

A

—> thermoforming
Advantages:
- Hard
- excellent optical properties
- fusibility
- resistance to moisture ( non- absorbency )
- durable ( good resistance to moisture )
Disadvantages:
- can scratch easily

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4
Q

What is acrylic (PMMA) typically used for?

A
  • signs
  • aircraft canopies and windows
  • covers of storage boxes
  • covers for car lights
  • wash basins and baths
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5
Q

What is the resin identification code for acrylic?

A

7 ( OTHER - not usually recycled through curbside )

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6
Q

What are the properties of high impact polystyrene (HIPS)?

A

—> thermoforming
Advantages:
- tough ( good impact resistance )
- hard and rigid
- fusibility
- resistance to moisture ( non Absorbant )
- lightweight
- transparent
- good water resistance

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7
Q

What is high impact polystyrene (HIPS) typically used for?

A
  • vacuum formed packaging and casing
  • yoghurt pots
  • children toys
  • refrigerator lining
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8
Q

What is the resin identification code for high impact polystyrene (HIPS)?

A

6, PS ( polystyrene - hard to recycle )

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9
Q

What are the properties of thermoforming high density polyethylene? ( HDPE )

A

→ Thermoforming
Advantages:
- Hard and stiff
- Safe to sterilise ( heat and chemical resistance )
- Fusibility
- Moisture resistance (non-absorbent)
- Durable

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10
Q

What is high density polyethylene (HDPE) typically used for?

A
  • Polymer bottles
  • Tubing
  • Household equipment
  • Washing up bowls
  • Buckets
  • Milk crates
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11
Q

What is the resin identification code for high density polyethylene (HDPE)?

A

2, HDPE - Easily recyclable

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12
Q

What are the properties of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)?

A

→ Thermoforming
Advantages:
- Hard
- Tough
- Good chemical resistance
- Can be rigid or flexible ( Good elasticity )
- Fusibility
- Resistance to moisture ( non-absorbent )

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13
Q

What is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) typically used for?

A
  • Water pipes
  • Rain coats
  • Long play records
  • Coating on electrical wires
  • Window frames
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14
Q

What is the resin identification code for polyvinyl chloride (PVC)?

A

3, PVC - rarely recycled

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15
Q

What are the properties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)?

A

→ Thermoforming
Advantages:
- Tough and strong
- Durable
- Colourless
- Semi rigid to rigid
- Lightweight (Less dense)
- Food safe/non toxic
- Fusibility
- Resistance to moisture (non-absorbency)

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16
Q

What is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) typically used for?

A
  • Fibres for clothing
  • Food and liquid containers/packaging
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17
Q

What is the resin identification code for polyethylene terephthalate (PET)?

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A

1, PET - easily recycled

18
Q

What are the properties of polypropylene (PP) ?

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A

→ Thermoforming
Advantages:
- Tough
- Lightweight ( low density)
- Durable
- Heat and chemical insulator
- Fatigue resistance
- Fusibility
- Resistance to moisture (Non-absorbency)

19
Q

What is polypropylene (PP) typically used for?

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A

MOST COMMONLY USED
- Chairs
- Toys
- Food packaging film (bottle caps)
- Medical equipment

20
Q

What is the resin identification code for polypropylene (PP)?

Study These Flashcards
A

5, PP - often recyclable

21
Q

What are the properties of epoxy resin?

Study These Flashcards
A

-> Thermosetting
Advantages:
- Good electrical insulator
- Hard
- Brittle unless reinforced
- Resists chemicals well

22
Q

What is epoxy resin typically used for?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Casting and encapsulation
  • Adhesives
  • Bonding of other materials
23
Q

What are the properties of melamine formaldehyde (MF)?

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A

→ Thermosetting
Advantages:
- Stiff
- Hard
- Strong
- Resist some chemicals and stains

24
Q

What is melamine formaldehyde (MF) typically used for?
Laminates

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Laminates
  • Electrical insulation
  • Tableware
25
What are the properties of phenol formaldehyde (PF)?
→ Thermosetting Advantages: - Hard and strong - Heat and chemical resistance - Good electrical insulation Disadvantages: - Limited colours, not all necessary dyes and pigments can - withstand high heat.
26
What is phenol formaldehyde (PF) typically used for?
- Bowling balls - Saucepan handles - Electrical fittings
27
What are the properties of polyester resin?
→ Thermosetting Advantages: - Brittle but becomes tough when laminated with glass fibre - Hard - UV resistant
28
What is polyester resin typically used for?
- GRP boats - Can body panels
29
What are the properties of urea-formaldehyde (UF)?
→ Thermosetting Advantages: - Stiff and hard - Good electrical insulator - Disadvantages: - Can be brittle
30
What are reinforced polymers usually made from?
A thermosetting polymer + reinforcement material (glass fibre or carbon fibre)
31
Define impregnate
To soak or saturate something with a substance
32
Why is it important to impregnate materials?
In order to ensure that the resin completely surrounds and soaks/fills the fibres.
33
What kind of polymer is bought for industrial use?
Power or granular (thermoforming)
34
What kind of polymer is bought for workshop use?
Sheet, tube or rod. (thermoforming)
35
What form is expanded polystyrene bought in?
Blocks
36
What is the process of impregnating something?
- Made by soaking fibers in liquid resin + catalyst (starts curing process). Polymerisation = chemical reaction where resin hardens into rigid structure. - Powder form: heated, shaped, and permanently set (cannot be remelted). - Once hardened, thermosetting polymers are strong, heat-resistant, and brittle.
37
What are the properties of expanded polystyrene (EP)?
→ Thermoforming ( beads, heated with steam, expands) Advantages: - Lightweight (less dense ) - Good heat and sound insulation - Disadvantages: - Weak tensile strength
38
What is expanded polystyrene (EP) typically used for?
- Product modelling - Buoyancy aids - Packaging insulation
39
What is the resin identification code for expanded polystyrene (EP)?
6, PS - hard to recycle
40
What are the properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE)?
→ Thermoforming (polymerisation ) Advantages: - Tough - Good resistance to chemicals - Elasticity (flexible) - Fairly soft - Good electrical insulator - Fusibility - Resistance to moisture
41
What is low density polyethylene (LDPE) typically used for?
- Packaging (bottles, toys, etc)
42
What is the resin identification code for low density polyethylene (LDPE)?
4 - LDPE - sometimes recycled

Design & Technology (3 decks)

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