Within the present business environment, innovation and sustainability are at the forefront of all major developments. Therefore, the right materials for projects should never be underestimated.

In product packaging and the automotive industry, plastic material selection is important in determining product performance, lifespan, and environmental impact.

At Plasticut, we strive to understand the critical decisions behind plastic selection to supply relevant information that can be used when making those choices for present and future projects.

Polyethylene

Polyethylene, also called polythene, is the most widely manufactured and utilised plastic. As a polymer, it is predominantly used for packaging. It is utilised in containers such as bottles, geomembranes, plastic films, and plastic bags. 

Polyethylene comes in various forms based on its molecular chain configuration, categorising it as a homopolymer as it includes many units of the same type of molecule, mainly ethylene.

Moreover, polyethylene is an abrasion-resistant and tough plastic that can easily be made using techniques like blow moulding and injection moulding. It has multiple desirable qualities, the primary one being durability. Besides being resistant to various chemicals, including caustic solutions and acids, it also resists chipping and fading. Most importantly, it is an exceptional electrical insulator. Its flexible nature enables it to be easily customised to suit customers’ specifications.

Nylons

As the most practical and useful synthetic material, nylons are applied in various processes involved in people’s daily lives and different industries. It is a general term for a group of man-made polymers. Nylons are polyamides, or repeating units connected by amide linkages. Essentially, it is a thermoplastic, silky substance that can be melted and formed into films, fibres, or other structures. 

Manufacturers can frequently mix a range of additives to obtain a multitude of distinct property changes. Nylon polymers are applied in various fabrics and fibres, too, including rubber reinforcement, flooring, and apparel. As such, individuals can decide on the nylon polymer application that suits their needs.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene, also termed polypropene, is classified as a polyolefin. Polypropylene outdoes polyethylene in terms of hardness. It is often a commodity plastic, with its primary characteristics being resistance to high heat and low density.

Polypropylene has multiple uses, commonly applied in cast films, medical, consumer goods, automotive, and packaging. Its high resistance to chemical corrosion makes it most suitable for first-aid products, bleaches, and cleaning products. 

Additionally, it has been established as the perfect plastic for durability and toughness due to its excellent performance in elasticity and fatigue resistance. Notably, its high insulation features make it safer to utilise in making plastic casings for electrical cables and poles.

When in the form of fibre, polypropylene can be utilised in making tote bags, camping equipment, clothing, upholstery, carpets, tape, twine, and ropes. Its waterproof properties make it the best in the marine domain. 

This plastic is also employed in the automotive industry to produce door trims, instrument panels, interior details, bumpers, drink holders, trays, and battery casings. Likewise, the medical sector takes advantage of the mould-resistant, flexible strength, and waterproof attributes of polypropylene by using it in specimen bottles, pill containers, petri dishes, medical vials, and syringes.

PVC

PVC, or Polyvinyl Chloride, is a synthetic resin mainly made from vinyl chloride polymerisation. It is used in various products, including flooring, credit cards, bottles, pipes, wires, and raincoats. Its water-resistant features make it ideal for producing multiple products. PVC is abrasion-resistant, lightweight, and tough.

Furthermore, PVC is resistant to shock, corrosion, chemicals, and climate, making it the ideal plastic for several long-life and outdoor products. Notably, its excellent dielectric strengths make it an outstanding material for making insulation products.

Its high chlorine content distinguishes it from other plastic materials. It also resists all types of inorganic chemicals. In addition, industries that use PVC can make it softer and more flexible using plasticisers like phthalates. It is commonly applied in inflatable products, flooring, signage, plumbing, insulation of electrical cables, cards like debit or credit cards, bottles, food covering sheets, profile applications like windows and doors, and pipe construction.

Acrylic

Acrylic, occasionally referred to as Plexiglas, is a stiff, strong, and clear plastic exhibiting glass-like properties, including transparency, brilliance, and clarity. However, it is half the weight of glass and has a higher resistance ability than glass. 

It is available in diverse colours, accommodating different individuals’ colour preferences. Notably, it offers better weathering qualities compared to other transparent polymers. Acrylics are easy to thermoform, machine, and fabricate.

These attributes make them increasingly useful in applications involving display cases and frames, transparent manifolds, retain fixtures and shelves, brochure holders, transportation applications, POP exhibits and displays, and outdoor and indoor signs.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Plastic Materials for Your Project

When selecting plastic materials for your project, several factors should be taken into account:

Mechanical Properties

Think about the mechanical attributes you need for your specific application, such as strength, stiffness, duration, and blow resistance. Select a plastic material that corresponds to the performance standards of your project.

Chemical Compatibility

Evaluate chemically the environment in which the commodity will be used and ensure that the type of plastic chosen is compatible with any chemicals the product may come into contact with.

Environmental Considerations

Take into consideration the negative environmental effects of the plastic material, including attributes such as recyclability, biodegradability, and energy consumption during production.

Cost and Availability

Analyse both the up-front and long-term expenses and availability of the chosen plastic material, bearing in mind factors ranging from sourcing supplies to processing and disposal.

There are multiple popular types of plastics for customisation, which can make choosing the one that suits your specific needs confusing. Therefore, this decision requires a deep understanding of each plastic material as well as its unique features.

It is important to consider essential factors such as availability and cost, environmental impact, mechanical properties, and chemical compatibility to make sound decisions regarding the choice of plastics. Plasticut can assist in customising plastics to your desired design, thanks to its diverse team, which includes designers who are experts in plastic design principles and engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plastics

Can Plastics Be Compared to Metals? 

Metals and plastics possess different properties. Therefore, they cannot be directly compared, as they perform distinct functions. For example, you wouldn’t make an oven from plastic, and you wouldn’t make a toothbrush from metal.

What Materials Are Used to Make Plastics?

Plastic is a general term that covers a wide range of materials manufactured from organic compounds. One of the main ingredients of plastic is carbon, mixed with elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur, and formed into a chain-like polymer structure.

Can Plastics Be Customised?

Yes, the colours, finishes, dimensions, and properties of plastic can be customised to suit an individual’s specific needs and preferences.