Plastic Can you name different products made out of plastic ? Can you think of advantages or disadvantages of using plastics in our daily lives?

Plastics Task – name 10 objects made of plastic that is in close proximity to you.

Plastic how do we use plastics in our homes? Photographs below courtesy of www.bodieandfou.com www.thelollipopshoppe.co.uk

Plastic Can you think of ways we use plastics in: packaging Can you think of ways we use plastics in: entertainment

Thermoplastics Thermosetting Plastic There are two types of plastic : This material is man made and is a by product of the oil industry. There are two types of plastic : Thermoplastics Thermosetting

Thermoplastics materials Polypropylene These are described as plastics that can be reformed using heat : this plastic has a memory, it returns to its original flat shape when re-heated. Here are some examples and their uses : Acrylic – available in almost any colour in sheet rod or tube form, can be shaped using a line bender or vacuum former. ABS. thermoplastic resin. ABS – a very commonly used plastic can be injection moulded from a powder form. Styrene – very good for vacuum forming.

Thermosetting materials Kettle saucepan handles These are described as plastics that do not reform using heat, they “SET” and cannot be reshaped . Here are some examples and their uses : Urea formaldehyde – electric plugs and sockets Melamine – kitchen worktops, unbreakable drink mugs Polyester resin – poured into moulds to make products or for boat repair Harry Allen’s paper weight/doorstop made from resin

Materials – Plastics Materials - Plastics Plastics are synthetic resinous substances that can be moulded with the help of heat or pressure. There are two main classes of plastics: Thermosetting – plastics that can only be heated and be moulded once. If re-heated they cannot soften. Thermoplastics – plastics that are moulded by heating and can be remoulded if heated again. Thermoplastics soften when heated and can be shaped when hot. The plastic will harden as it cools down. Thermoplastic Thermoplastic properties Thermoplastic uses Example outcomes Acrylics or Perspex (Polymethyl Methacrylate) Stiff, hard, shiny, brittle in small sections, durable, scratches easily, available in different colours, good electrical insulator Used for signs, key rings, lighting, storage containers High impact polystyrene (HIPS) Light but strong plastic, available in sheets in a variety of thicknesses and colours and softens at about 95 degrees Used for vacuum forming and making outer casings and packaging for products Acetate Hard, shiny and translucent/transparent Used in badge-making, packaging and for overhead projector transparencies Expanded polystyrene (styrofoam) White, lightweight and crumbly Used for protective or insulating packaging

Materials – Plastics Materials - Plastics Thermoplastic Thermoplastic properties Thermoplastic uses Example outcomes Polypropylene (PP) Light, hard, flexible but can scratch easily. Durable to wear and has good resistance to chemicals Used for different kinds of packaging, chairs, gadgets, textiles and automotive components Low density polyethylene (LDPE) Soft, flexible, good resistance to chemicals, good electrical insulator, tough Used for packaging film, carrier bags, bottles, toys High density polyethylene (HDPE) Hard, stiff and strong. Able to be sterilised Used for plastic bottles, tubing and household equipment Corrugated plastic Lightweight, rigid and weatherproof Used for sign boards and folders Low-tack masking film Flexible and transparent Used to position sticky-backed vinyl letters or images onto a chosen surface. Used for creating signs, stencils and vehicle signage Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Stiff, hard wearing, brittle but can be treated to make it softer and more rubbery Used for blister packs, window frames, records and clothing

It’s just another plastic bag!

Are there any problems or issues with using carrier bags ? Task 1 – in smalls group, list three advantages and disadvantages of using carrier bags. Task 2 – in your group consider two ways of improving any problems that you have identified.

How could this number be reduced? How many supermarket carrier bag does the average shopper use to carry goods home every week? 5 15 12 20 How could this number be reduced? By using shopper bags, how many carrier bags could we cut down on using in a year? 20 plastic bags a week x 52 weeks = Shopper bags 1,040 Supermarkets hand out 1.75 billion bags a year.

Just one more phone …it won’t matter. What happened to your old mobile phone? 11 million people expect to get a new mobile phone over Christmas in the UK. 2 million mobile phones are expected to go on the scrapheap during a Christmas period. What can be done to improve this?

Before we use plastic materials aspects for consideration Plastic and sustainability aspects. Plastic is a precious resource made from oil. Because it is such a versatile material, we use it a lot. Working in small groups – discuss the following and feed back to the class. 1. List 5 products where plastic is the best material to use. 2. List 5 plastic products that no-one should ever bothered making. 3. List 5 plastic products that would be better made from a different materials. Photographs courtesy of photo gallery wales.