Plastics exist in various shapes, colors, and types. These different types of plastics are distinct from each other and have different uses. To make informed decisions when buying plastics and plastic products, you need to understand the types that exist. Let’s get you informed on the different types of plastics there are.
The knowledge for the material used for vacuum forming:
ABS:Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
PETG:Polyester Copolymer
PS:Polystyrene
PC:Polycarbonate
PP:Polypropylene
PE:Polyethylene
PVC:Polyvinyl Chloride
PMMA:Acrylic
HIPS:High Impact Polystyrene
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
PET is a lightweight and often transparent plastic. It’s commonly used for making packaging containers such as water bottles. PET is one of the safer plastics, hence its use in food packaging. The plastic is, however, unsafe for use in preserving hot food. PET is easily recycled.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene is the second most common plastic in the globe. Polyethylene is classified into three categories: high density, low density, and linear low-density, based on the varying strengths of the plastic.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
HDPE is the strongest and most resistant of the three Polyethylene. HDPE’s high resistance makes it ideal in making cartons, containers, and pipes, among other products.
Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)
A slight tweak of chemical processes in the manufacture of polyethylene yields LLDPE. LLDPE is commonly used for making plastic bags, which are common in grocery stores. Like all polyethylenes, LLDPE holds up quite well against chemicals and is tear-resistant.
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Compared to HDPE and LLDPE, LDPE has the simplest polymer structure. LDPE is a softer and much clearer version of Polyethylene. The plastic is used as a liner in food packaging cartons, dispensing bottles, and plastic wraps.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl)
PVC is a rigid plastic that is resistant to weathering and chemicals and is, therefore, most preferred for building and construction purposes. PVC has some versatile properties: durability, lightness, rigidity, and processability. Due to its versatility, PVC is slowly replacing traditional building materials like metal, wood, and concrete.
As an incredibly strong material that doesn’t conduct electricity, PVC is well utilized in high-tech applications. Common high-tech applications of PVC include wire and cable production and medical equipment production.
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene is rigid, sturdy, and resistant to heat. PP’s strength is somewhere between LDPE’s and HDPE’s strengths. This plastic is used in making hot food containers, thermal vests, Tupperware, car parts, and disposable diapers. PP is resistant to heat, making it ideal for holding hot items or being heated itself. PP is also resistant to fatigue and therefore preferred for use as living hinges.
PP is the safest of all plastics since it is heat resistant and cannot leach toxic chemicals even when exposed to high temperatures, unlike most other plastics.
Polystyrene (PS)
Polystyrene, commercially known as Styrofoam, exists in either solid form or foamed. This plastic is used to make beverage cups, egg cartons, dinnerware, and packaging materials. Styrofoam is cheap and insulates very well, which is why it’s preferred for food packaging.
However, PS is considered one of the worst types of plastics for the following reasons:
• It is non-biodegradable.
• It has low specific gravity and is easily blown by the wind and floats on water.
• It is harmful to humans. When exposed to heat, it could leach styrene, which is a nervous system and brain toxicant.
• It has a low recycling rate.
The use of PS is being discouraged due to the multiple risks it poses.
Other plastic types like polycarbonates (PC) can’t fit in any of the discussed types. Polycarbonates are solid and rigid products used for making sunglasses, compact discs, and safety goggles.
Understanding the different types of plastics helps you decide which ones would best fit your needs. This blog has briefly highlighted the most common plastic types to help you make an informed decision. For more information, please contact us.
