Classification of Plastics by Application

Plastics, a versatile and diverse material, have become an indispensable part of modern life. Plastics play a crucial role in many industries, from water bottles to complex machine parts. To better understand the diverse world of plastics, we need to classify them based on their properties and applications.

1. General-Purpose Plastics:

• Definition: General-purpose plastics are the most widely produced and consumed group of plastics, commonly used in everyday products.
• Characteristics:
  • Low production cost, easy to process.
  • Basic mechanical properties meet common usage needs.
  • Often recyclable, contributing to environmental protection.
• Examples:
  • PE (Polyethylene): Used for packaging, bottles, food wraps, and plastic bags.
  • PP (Polypropylene): Used for food containers, water bottles, fibers, and toys.
  • PS (Polystyrene): Used for foam boxes, plastic cups, and food trays.
  • ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): Used for phone cases, toys, and machine parts.
  • PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Used for pipes, windows, wall panels, and toys.
  • PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate): Used for plexiglass, lighting fixtures, and windshields.

2. Engineering Plastics:

• Definition: Engineering plastics are a group of plastics with superior properties to general-purpose plastics, used in products requiring high strength, heat resistance, chemical resistance, etc.
• Characteristics:
  • High mechanical strength, heat resistance, chemical resistance, and wear resistance.
  • Higher production cost than general-purpose plastics.
  • Require more advanced processing techniques.
• Examples:
  • PA (Polyamide): Used for gears, bearings, and load-bearing parts in machinery.
  • PC (Polycarbonate): Used for windshields, CDs, phone cases, and machine parts.
  • Modified PPO: Used for machine housings, electronic devices, and heat-resistant parts.
  • Saturated POLYESTER: Used for fibers, water bottles, and machine housings.
  • FLUORIDE Plastics: Used for heat-resistant, chemical-resistant parts in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
  • PI (Polyimide): Used for electronic components, and high-temperature insulating materials.
  • SULFONAMIDE Plastics: Used for insulating materials, heat-resistant, and chemical-resistant materials.
  • PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide): Used for heat-resistant, chemical-resistant parts in the automotive and aerospace industries.

3. Specialty Plastics:

• Definition: Specialty plastics are a group of plastics with unique properties, used in specific fields, often in small quantities.
• Characteristics:
  • Unique properties, suitable for specific requirements of certain industries.
  • High production cost, low production volume.
• Examples:
  • FLOURINATED ETHYLEN PROPYLENE (FEP): Used as a non-stick coating in food processing and pharmaceutical industries.
  • SILICONE (SI): Used as an insulating material, heat-resistant, chemical-resistant material in electronics and medical industries.
  • Ultra-high molecular weight PE: Used for food wraps, waterproof materials, and reinforcing materials.

Conclusion:

Classifying plastics helps us better understand the properties, applications, and value of each type of plastic. This allows us to choose the right type of plastic for our needs, contributing to optimized production efficiency and environmental protection.