LECTURE Ⅲ

General Purpose and

Engineering Thermoplastics
Polymeric materials
by
Dr. Laksamon Raksaksri
Some properties of general-purpose thermoplastics
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Tensile strength (MPa) Max-use temp (℃)
HDPE PVC PP ABS
Some properties of general-purpose thermoplastics (cont.)
3

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
Density(g/cm3) Dieletric strength X10000 (V/mm)
HDPE PVC PP ABS
Polyethylene (PE)
…PE

…PE

….PE
 HDPE LDPE LLDPE

High-density Low-density Linear-low-density

polyethylene polyethylene polyethylene
Structure Little branching Branched-chain Linear-chain with
slanting side
branching
Degree of crystallinity (%) 95 65 -

Density (g/cm3) 0.95-0.96 0.92-0.93 0.922-0.926

Tensile strength (MPa) 2-40 6.2-17.3 12.4-20

Elongation (%) 20-120 550-600 600-800

PE Applications
• Containers
• Electrical insulation
• Chemical tubing
• Housewares
• Bottles
• Films packaging
• Materials handling
• Water-pond liners
 Polypropylene (PP)

• Stereospecific control by catalysts.

• PP is stronger than PE, but less flexible.
• Methyl group restricts rotation of polymer chains.
• Chemical, moisture, and heat resistance are good.
• PP has higher Tm and heat-deflection temperatures
than PE
 PP applications
• Bottles • Bag
• Packaging • Cases
• Housewares • Containers
• Screw closure • Heater ducts
• Laboratory ware • Overwrap film
• Automobile fan shrouds • Carpet backing woven
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Flame resistance
Large chlorine atom
High steric hindrance
Dipole-dipole bonding
Not flexible
Hard to processing
 PVC compounding
Plasticizers Heat stabilizers
- Phthalate esters - Organometallic compounds such
- Increase flexibility as tin, lead, barium-cadmium,
calcium, and zinc
- Prevent thermal degradation
Fillers Lubricants
- Calcium carbonate - Waxes, fatty esters, and metallic
- Reduce cost of PVC soaps
- Processing aid
Pigments - Prevent adhesion to metal surface
- Inorganic or organic
- Color, opacity, and
weatherability
 PVC applications
• Plasticized PVC
• Furniture
• Rigid PVC • Interior wall coverings
• Pipe • Rainwear
• Window frames • Shoes
• Luggage
• Gutters • Shower curtains
• Interior molding • Electrical wire insulation
• Trim • Floor mats
Interior and exterior trim
• Electrical conduit •
• Garden hoses
• Refrigerator gaskets
 Polystyrene (PS)

• Brittle plastic • Applications

• Rigid phenyl group • Automobile interior parts
• High steric hindrance • Appliance housing
• Housewares
• Amorphous polymer
• Good dimensional
stability
 Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)

• Toughness • Rigidity • Impact strength

• Heat resistance • Gloss surface • Low-property retention
• Chemical resistance • Ease of processing
 ABS applications
• Pipe and fittings
• Automotive parts
• Electrical conduit
• Telephone housing
• Refrigerator door liners
• Computer housing and covers
• Electromagnetic interference radio-frequency shielding
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)

• Transparent
• Hard and rigid
• Good outdoor weatherability
• More impact-resistant than glass
• Random configuration
• Amorphous
PMMA applications

• Skylights
• Taillight lenses
• Safety shields
• Exterior lighting
• Advertising signs
• Protective googles
• Knobs and handles
• Glazing for aircraft and boats
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
• Slippery and waxy touch
• Low coefficient of friction
• High chemical resistance
• High electrical insulating
• Dense crystalline, 2.13-2.19 g/cm3
• Melting point 327 ℃
• High impact strength
• Low tensile strength, wear, creep resistance
PTFE (Teflon) applications

• Tape • Seal
• Pump parts • Bushing
• Nonstick coating • Packing
• Chemically resistant pipe • Gaskets
• Molded electrical components • O-rings
• High temperature cable insulation • bearing
 Some Properties of
Engineering Thermoplastics
Material Density Tensile strength Impact strength Dielectric Max-use
(g/cm3) (MPa) Izod (J/m) strength temperature
(V/mm) (℃)
PA 6,6 1.13-1.15 62-83 107 1.5  104 82-150
Acetal (POM) 1.42 69 75 1.2  104 90
PC 1.2 62 640-854 1.5  104 120
PET 1.37 72 43 - 80
PBT 1.31 55-57 64-69 2.3-2.8  104 120
Polyphenylene 1.06-1.10 54-66 267 1.6-2.0  104 80-105
oxide (PPE)
Polyphenylene 1.34 69 16 2.3  104 260
sulfide (PPS)
Polyamides (Nylons, PA)
• Amide linkage
• Hydrogen bonding
• Sensitive to water absorption
• Low dimension stability
• High strength
• Transparency
• Good toughness
• Low-frictional properties
• Good chemical resistance
PA applications
• Packaging • Glass-reinforced nylon
• Bearing • Brake
• Electrical parts • Reservoirs
• Antifriction parts • Valve covers
• Engine fan blades
• Mechanical parts
• Power-steering fluid
• Automobile parts
• Steering column housing
• Unlubricated gears • Hookup wire insulation
Fire proof clothing and bullet proof vests
Nomex Kevlar
Polycarbonate (PC)
• High strength
• Toughness
• Dimensional stability
• Stiff molecular structure
• High impact strength
• High heat distortion temperatures
• Good electrical insulating properties
PC applications
• Lenses
• Gears
• Helmets
• Safety shield
• Electrical relay covers
• Aircraft components
• Traffic light housing
• Computer terminals
• Glazing for windows and solar collectors
Phenylene oxide-based resins (PPE)
• Rigid polymer
• Steric hindrant
• Electronic attraction
• Good dimension stability
• High chemical resistance
• High heat-deflection temperature
PPE applications
• Grills
• TV tuners
• Electrical conductors
• Exterior body parts
• Automobile dashboards
Acetals (POM)
• Stiff and strong
• Excellent fatigue life
• Dimensional stability
• Good processibility
• Low friction coefficients
• Good solvent resistance
• High heat resistance
• Flammable
POM applications
• Gear
• Zippers
• Seat belts
• Fishing reel
• Writing pen
• Fuel systems
• Pump impellers
• Window handles
Thermoplastic polyester (PET and PBT)

• Rigidity
• Bulkiness phenylene rings
• Low moisture-absorption
• High chemical resistance
PET applications
• Container resin
• Film food packaging
• Fiber clothing
• Carpeting
• Tire cord
PBT applications • Industrial uses
• Pump impellers
• Electrical-electronic application • Housing and support brackets
• Connectors • Irrigation valves and bodies
• Switches relays • Water meter chambers
• TV tuner components • Automotive
• High voltage components • Large exterior-body components
• Terminal boards • High-energy ignition caps and rotor
• Integrated circuit boards • Ignition coil caps
• Motor brush holders • Coil bobbins
• bells • Fuel injection controls
• Frames and gears
 Polymer alloy
ABS/PC
ABS/PVC
POM/elastomer
PC/PE
PC/PBT/elastomer
PBT/PET

• Mixtures of different homopolymers or copolymers

• Polymer chains are bonded by secondary intermolecular dipole forces
• Rigid polymers + rubbery polymer