Understanding Thermoplastics
Plastic is all around us. This substance, built from various types of polymers, is used to make packaging, toys, electronics, medical equipment and much more. Thermoplastic is one of several types of plastic, and this is a type of plastic that becomes malleable when it is heated up. Thermoforming companies take large sheets of plastic, heat it and transform these sheets into all sorts of packaging and products. The polymers used in these plastic sheets vary, depending on what product is being created. Here are a few of the different types of thermoplastics that commonly are used today.
Poly(methyl methacrylate) or PMMA is one type of transparent thermoplastic, which is often simply called acrylic glass. Brand names such as Plexiglas and Lucite also are forms of PMMA. This polymer is very strong and because it is clear, it often is used to make items that we need to see through, such as a diving mask or aquarium and airplane windows. Surprisingly, this plastic also has medical uses as well, being used in the production of hard contact lenses and for dentures and dental fillings as well as being a primary ingredient in bone cement.
We've all heard of nylon, but you might not really think of it as a thermoplastic. The word nylon is actually the name for a category of synthetic polymers which first were produced in the 1930s. Today, nylon is one of the most frequently used polymers because it is resilient and durable. It also is very resistant to insects, mold and mildew. One of its first uses was to create durable parachutes during World War II when silk and hemp were in short supply. It is also used to make instrument strings, rope, tents and clothing. Of course, nylon is also used in the production of panty hose, which sometimes are simply called nylons.
Teflon is yet another type of thermoplastic and certainly one that is commonly known as the substance that keeps food from sticking to our cooking pots and pans. This synthetic polymer also goes by the scientific name of Polytetrafluroethylene or PTFE. Like nylon, this fluoropolymer was invented at DuPont albeit accidentally. Scientist Roy Plunkett discovered Teflon while trying to make a new type of refrigerant. This was in 1938, but it wasn't actually used in cookware until the 1950s. It's used for more than cooking; however, it also is used to make gears, bearings, fuel lines, computer mice and items made out of Gore-Tex.
When you think of PVC, you probably think about those white pipes, and it's true that nearly half of the world's pipes are made from this thermoplastic, Poly(vinyl chloride). Cheap to make and fairly durable, PVC is used in the production of hundreds of plastic items. In addition to pipes, consider the portion of the scientific name that also is quite familiar - vinyl. Many products are made from vinyl, specifically vinyl chloride or PVC. This includes everything from food storage containers to kiddie pools to stickers. PVC is water resistant and durable, so it is a handy material to you for vinyl house siding, mattress covers and shower curtains, as well.
In addition to the aforementioned thermoplastics, there are also polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Polystyrene is what is used to make Styrofoam for containers and packing materials. Polyethylene is used to make bottles and containers to hold different kinds of toxic chemicals as well as gasoline. So your gas "can" typically is made out of this plastic, as well as bottles that hold bleach, laundry detergent, drain cleaner and more. Finally, there is polypropylene, which is used to make heat-resistant plastic containers that can be placed both in the dishwasher as well as the microwave.
Poly(methyl methacrylate) or PMMA is one type of transparent thermoplastic, which is often simply called acrylic glass. Brand names such as Plexiglas and Lucite also are forms of PMMA. This polymer is very strong and because it is clear, it often is used to make items that we need to see through, such as a diving mask or aquarium and airplane windows. Surprisingly, this plastic also has medical uses as well, being used in the production of hard contact lenses and for dentures and dental fillings as well as being a primary ingredient in bone cement.
We've all heard of nylon, but you might not really think of it as a thermoplastic. The word nylon is actually the name for a category of synthetic polymers which first were produced in the 1930s. Today, nylon is one of the most frequently used polymers because it is resilient and durable. It also is very resistant to insects, mold and mildew. One of its first uses was to create durable parachutes during World War II when silk and hemp were in short supply. It is also used to make instrument strings, rope, tents and clothing. Of course, nylon is also used in the production of panty hose, which sometimes are simply called nylons.
Teflon is yet another type of thermoplastic and certainly one that is commonly known as the substance that keeps food from sticking to our cooking pots and pans. This synthetic polymer also goes by the scientific name of Polytetrafluroethylene or PTFE. Like nylon, this fluoropolymer was invented at DuPont albeit accidentally. Scientist Roy Plunkett discovered Teflon while trying to make a new type of refrigerant. This was in 1938, but it wasn't actually used in cookware until the 1950s. It's used for more than cooking; however, it also is used to make gears, bearings, fuel lines, computer mice and items made out of Gore-Tex.
When you think of PVC, you probably think about those white pipes, and it's true that nearly half of the world's pipes are made from this thermoplastic, Poly(vinyl chloride). Cheap to make and fairly durable, PVC is used in the production of hundreds of plastic items. In addition to pipes, consider the portion of the scientific name that also is quite familiar - vinyl. Many products are made from vinyl, specifically vinyl chloride or PVC. This includes everything from food storage containers to kiddie pools to stickers. PVC is water resistant and durable, so it is a handy material to you for vinyl house siding, mattress covers and shower curtains, as well.
In addition to the aforementioned thermoplastics, there are also polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Polystyrene is what is used to make Styrofoam for containers and packing materials. Polyethylene is used to make bottles and containers to hold different kinds of toxic chemicals as well as gasoline. So your gas "can" typically is made out of this plastic, as well as bottles that hold bleach, laundry detergent, drain cleaner and more. Finally, there is polypropylene, which is used to make heat-resistant plastic containers that can be placed both in the dishwasher as well as the microwave.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell enjoys writing about how stuff is made. For further information about thermoformed packaging or to know more about industrial thermoform, please visit the Indepak.com website now.
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