What are the big 6 polymers?

What are the big 6 polymers?

Just 6 polymers, high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) dominate the industry. Those six polymers combined make up 76% of all polymers produced.

What are thermoplastics also known as?

A thermoplastic, or thermosoftening plastic, is a plastic polymer material that becomes pliable or moldable at a certain elevated temperature and solidifies upon cooling. Thermoplastics differ from thermosetting polymers (or “thermosets”), which form irreversible chemical bonds during the curing process.

Why are polymers called plastics?

Plastics are polymers. The word polymer comes from two Greek words: poly, meaning many, and meros, meaning parts or units. A polymer can be thought of as a chain in which each link is the “mer,” or monomer (single unit). The chain is made by joining, or polymerizing, at least 1,000 links together.

Which polymer has lowest melting point?

Of the Big Six, polyethylene has the lowest melting point, with LDPE and HDPE melting at about 120 °C and 130 °C, respectively. In contrast, polypropylene (PP) melts at 160–170 °C. In contrast to thermoplastics, some plastics are thermosetting.

What are thermoplastics example?

A thermoplastic is any plastic material which melts into a soft, pliable form above a certain temperature and solidifies upon cooling. Common examples of thermoplastics include acrylic, polyester, polypropylene, polystyrene, nylon and Teflon.

Who invented thermoplastics?

The history of thermoplastic materials began in the 1930s with the invention of plasticization of PVC by B.F. Goodrich scientists in Akron, Ohio.

What is the difference between a plastic and a polymer?

Polymers can exist organically or be created synthetically, and consist of chains of joined individual molecules or monomers. Plastics are a type of polymer composed of chains of polymers which can be partially organic or fully synthetic. Simply put, all plastics are polymers, but not all polymers are plastics.