Resale

Engineering Plastics

Plastics are any numerous organic, synthetic, or processed materials that are high molecular weight polymers.

Polymers are man made materials with their origins in nature. Elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon and hydrogen are extracted the water, gas, oil, air, and even plant life.

It was mans insight to combine and mix these elements in an infinite number of combinations to form a broad range of materials known as plastics.

The Foundation

Modern plastic was born from a contest to produce billiard balls. In 1868 there was a shortage of ivory used for the production of billiard balls. A contest was sponsored to replace ivory. One of the products used and approved for replacement of ivory was Celluloid. From that contest the plastics industry was born.

As with all new materials Celluloid branched out into different markets. One of the first was photographic film produced by Kodak.

The second big leap in plastic development occurred in 1909 when phenolics achieved worldwide acceptance. It was the first plastic to attain this accomplishment.

Growth

During the1940’s the demand for plastics accelerated. New and existing applications were needed for the war effort.

In the 50’s plastics were becoming accepted by engineers and designers.

Nylon, teflon, acetal, and polycarbonate became the core materials in a group known as engineering thermoplastics. There outstanding properties allowed them to compete successfully with metals.

Monomers and Polymers

Monomers are extracted from oil during the refining process. These oil derived monomers are the most popular in the production of plastics.

Polymerization of the monomers causes the short molecules of the monomer to bond together to form longer molecules. This process turns the monomer into a polymer.

Final Stage

The polymer or plastic resin goes through different steps to make it practical to use. It may be powder, flake, pellets or granules.

The resin is generally subjected to heat and pressure, melted, and forced into shapes, rods, sheet, and tubes.

Plastics are a family of materials, not a single material.

Applications for Popular Plastics

Nylon
Bearings
Bushings
Gears
Valve Seats
Sleeves
Rollers
Cams
Guides

Polycarbonates
Covers
Shields
Housings
Windows
Weapon Parts
Automotive Parts
Electrical Connectors
Signs

Acetal
Counter Assemblies
Meters
Gears
Bearings
Conveyor Parts
Business Machines
Lock Assemblies
Switch Mechanisms

Polyolefin
Conveyors
Wear Plates
Bed Liners
Gear Wheels
Rollers
Impact Pads
Chute Liners
Slide Plates