Thermoforming and thermosetting polymers
Types of polymers and their uses
Most polymers are formed by processing Mixture of hydrocarbons, mainly alkanes, formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient dead marine organisms. but they can be made from both natural and synthetic resources. They are sold as A way to describe that a material is normally much thinner than it is long or wide., films, A solid shape that is longer in length than width., A solid cylindrical form., A small compact substance. and A hollow cylindrical form..
Thermoforming polymers
Also called 鈥榯hermoplastic鈥. Can be reformed when heated, and therefore can often be recycled. polymers can be heated and formed repeatedly. They are Flexible and easy to bend. and The ability to process into something else..
| Thermoforming polymer | Properties | Uses |
| Acrylic (PMMA) | Hard with good plasticity when heated so can be folded well, resists weather well but is brittle and scratches easily, available in lots of colours | Car headlights, visors and baths |
| High density polythene (HDPE) | Stiff, strong but lightweight, good plasticity when heated with excellent chemical resistance | Washing-up bowls, pipes, chairs, buckets and bottles |
| Polypropylene (PP) | Lightweight but strong and tough, has good heat and chemical resistance | Computer game cases, chairs, children鈥檚 toys and food packaging film |
| Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) | Can be matt or high gloss with both chemical and weather resistance, low in cost with good strength, can be made to be flexible or rigid | Window frames, building cladding, guttering |
| Thermoforming polymer | Acrylic (PMMA) |
|---|---|
| Properties | Hard with good plasticity when heated so can be folded well, resists weather well but is brittle and scratches easily, available in lots of colours |
| Uses | Car headlights, visors and baths |
| Thermoforming polymer | High density polythene (HDPE) |
|---|---|
| Properties | Stiff, strong but lightweight, good plasticity when heated with excellent chemical resistance |
| Uses | Washing-up bowls, pipes, chairs, buckets and bottles |
| Thermoforming polymer | Polypropylene (PP) |
|---|---|
| Properties | Lightweight but strong and tough, has good heat and chemical resistance |
| Uses | Computer game cases, chairs, children鈥檚 toys and food packaging film |
| Thermoforming polymer | Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) |
|---|---|
| Properties | Can be matt or high gloss with both chemical and weather resistance, low in cost with good strength, can be made to be flexible or rigid |
| Uses | Window frames, building cladding, guttering |
Image caption, Acrylic sheet being laser cut
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Thermosetting polymers
Also called 鈥榯hermoset鈥. Can only be formed once as it cannot be reheated and therefore cannot be recycled. polymers are If something is brittle it is easily broken. and can only be formed once. They are hard to recycle. They are good Material that is a poor conductor of electricity or heat. and are resistant to heat and chemicals.
| Thermosetting polymer | Properties | Uses |
| Epoxy resin (ER) | Supplied as two parts, one resin and one hardener (see image) - the resin and hardener combine to create an extra-strong adhesive, good chemical and heat resistance and an excellent thermal insulator, can be brittle | Bonds materials and can be used for waterproof coatings and lamination |
| Melamine formaldehyde (MF) | Excellent heat resistance as well as being resistant to scratching and staining, hard and strong | Laminates for worktops, food safe so used for picnic tableware |
| Urea formaldehyde (UF) | A hard and stiff polymer with excellent thermal insulation | Electrical fittings, toilet seats, holding the wood chips together in the making of medium-density fibreboard (MDF) |
| Thermosetting polymer | Epoxy resin (ER) |
|---|---|
| Properties | Supplied as two parts, one resin and one hardener (see image) - the resin and hardener combine to create an extra-strong adhesive, good chemical and heat resistance and an excellent thermal insulator, can be brittle |
| Uses | Bonds materials and can be used for waterproof coatings and lamination |
| Thermosetting polymer | Melamine formaldehyde (MF) |
|---|---|
| Properties | Excellent heat resistance as well as being resistant to scratching and staining, hard and strong |
| Uses | Laminates for worktops, food safe so used for picnic tableware |
| Thermosetting polymer | Urea formaldehyde (UF) |
|---|---|
| Properties | A hard and stiff polymer with excellent thermal insulation |
| Uses | Electrical fittings, toilet seats, holding the wood chips together in the making of medium-density fibreboard (MDF) |
