1. DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLASTICS

2. PLASTICS – A WEALTH OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS
Standard Plastics includes Polyolefins, PS, EPS, PVC and PET (Bottle grade).
Engineering Plastics with improved performance at
higher costs.
High Performance Polymers permitting exceptional end-use-applications, specialized niche products at high costs.
Thermosets generally stronger than thermoplastics, generally better suited to high temperatures, easy to prototype
Triangle of thermoplastics by Structure, Capability and Price
Capability by Temperature Index by
Underwriter Laboratories, USA
High Performance Polymers
TI > 150 °C PI
PAI
PEI
PES
PSU
PPE mod. PC
PMMA
PA PA 12
ABS, SAN, ASA
EPS PS
PET (Bottle grade) PVC
PEEK FP
LCP
PPS
PPA PA 46
PET (Injection)
PBT
POM
PA PA 66 PP
HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE
> 10,000 EUR/ton*
> 4,000 EUR/ton*
Engineering Thermoplastics
TI = °C
150 °C
> 2,000 EUR/ton*
Standard
Plastics
100 °C
amorphous structure
semi-crystalline structure
Source: PlasticsEurope Market Research Group (PEMRG) / Consultic Marketing & Industrieberatung GmbH; * Average 2010 indicative prices
Thermoset Resins Acrylic, Epoxy, Polyester, Vinylester, PUR, Phenolic
PP=Polypropylene
PVC- Polvinylchloride
HDPE- high density polyethylene
LLDPE- linear low density polyethylene
LDPE= low density polyethylene
PS= polystyrene
PUR= polyurethane 2 2

3. TYPES OF PLASTICS
There are several hundred different types of plastics. Each has properties for specific applications.

4. THERMOPLASTICS – HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HDPE)
For containers, toys, utensils, industrial wrapping film and gas pipes.

5. PET
For bottles, textile fibres and film food packaging.

6. POLYPROPYLENE (PP)
For transparent all-weather sheeting, electrical insulators, bathroom units and automotive parts.

7. PMMA
For transparent all-weather sheeting, electrical insulators, bathroom units and automotive parts.

8. POLYSTYRENE – PS
For electrical appliances, thermal insulation, tape cassettes, cups and plates, and children’s toys.

9. PVC
For window frames, pipes, flooring, wallpaper, bottles, cling film, toys, guttering, cable insulation, credit cards, and medical products.

10. POLYAMIDE (PA)
For food packaging films, boil-in-the-bag products, multiple high-temperature engineering applications, and textile fibres.

11. LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (LDPE)
For pallets, agricultural films, bags, toys, coatings, containers, pipes, wrappings.

12. STYRENE/ ACRYLONITRILE (SAN)
For general appliance mouldings.

13. ABS
For general appliance mouldings.