Engineering plastics

Plastics —from computer consumables to catering disposables, these are anywhere and everywhere, and are being used extensively everyday. The term plastic generally refers to any synthetic and semisynthetic polymers that are designed to enhance a material’s function or performance and minimize cost of production because of plastics’ reusability. Plastics can be easily moulded in a way that when this material deforms, it can be moulded again.

The use of engineering plastics in various industries raises not only the cost-efficiency favorable to the companies using and producing plastics but issues related to environment as well. With the growing concerns over the need to care for the environment and promote environmentally-friendly material usage, plastics are being scrutinized more than before. The problem at the moment with recycling is that you cannot mix together the different types of plastic for re-use, they have to be separated. UPVC will not mix with ABS, LDPE will not mix with Nylon.

This holds as true for the use of plastics in the motor industry as it does for marine uses, big or small. Marine plastics companies are now using advanced technology in manufacturing boats and vehicle components like cup holders, vent covers, dash panels and swim platforms. As efficient and cost-effective substitutes for metals and aluminum, plastics are proven to be effective options for many uses. However, similar to metal parts, it’s important that these plastics materials are well-engineered and have passed quality standards. Fabrication of customized plastic components for boats is cost-effective compared to custom-made metal materials.

As a rough guide, here are some of the types of plastics and their uses in our everyday lives. Where the material needs to be tough and and meet rigid quality control standards like safety helmets or automotive parts, use polycarbonate plastic. Equally tough but coloured (or opaque), building materials such as guttering and drainpipes use rigid polyvinyl chloride or UPVC. Introduce the need for flexibility as in shoe soles, use plasticised polyvinyl chloride or PVC. Real demand for toughness and durability like gears and bearings, use acetal plastics or polyamide. Transparent and brittle like lenses and car lights, use acrylics. Flexible and tough like kitchenware with sealing lids, use low density polyethelene LDPE or for less flexibility, like crates and chairs, high density polyethelene HDPE. Seals and washers and o rings are made out of thermoplastic elastomers. Metal replacement parts are usually polyether sulphone. Lenses and spectacles are usually cellulose acetate or the frames polyamide. Telephones and computers (electrical and electronics industry) are made out of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ABS.