1.6.5

Polymer Types

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Polymer Types: Thermoforming

Thermoforming plastics are commonly used in everyday objects such as water bottles. They could even be used in some of your GCSE projects.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

  • These polymers are clear or coloured with a smooth finish.
  • These polymers are easily blow moulded, can be recycled and have good chemical resistance.
  • They are commonly used in products such as food wraps, bottles and food packaging.
  • Triangular recycle logo number 1.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

  • These polymers are opaque, coloured or textured.
  • These polymers are lightweight, chemical resistant and rip-resistant.
  • They are commonly used in products such as milk bottles, hard hats, wheelie bins and pipes.
  • Triangular recycle logo number 2.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

  • PVC polymers can be coloured with a gloss finish.
  • They are available in sheets or a rigid shape such as a pipe.
  • PVC polymers are chemically resistant, flexible, tough and easily extruded.
  • They are commonly used in products such as pipes, insulating tape, air mattresses and raincoats.
  • Triangular recycle logo number 3.
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

  • LDPE polymers can be coloured with a smooth finish.
  • They are available in sheets or a clear thin to a thick film.
  • These polymers have excellent strength to weight ratio.
  • They are very flexible and can be blow moulded and extruded easily.
  • They are commonly used in products such as carrier bags, bin liners, plastic food wraps and pipes.
  • Triangular recycle logo number 4.

Polymer Types: Thermoforming

Thermoforming plastics are commonly used in everyday objects such as water bottles. They could even be used in some of your GCSE projects.

Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene (PP)

  • These polymers can be coloured in sheets or shapes.
  • They are very flexible, tough, lightweight, food safe and easily cleaned.
  • They are commonly used in products such as medical products, kitchen products and rope.
  • Triangular recycle logo number 5.
High Impact Polystyrene Sheet (HIPS)

High Impact Polystyrene Sheet (HIPS)

  • These polymers can be flat, clear or coloured sheets.
  • They are very flexible, tough, impact-resistant, lightweight, food safe and vacuum forms well.
  • These polymers give off a toxic fume when burnt.
  • They are commonly used in products such as food containers, chocolate box in-trays, egg boxes and yoghurt pots.
  • Triangular recycle logo number 6.
Acrylic – Poly-methyl Meth Acrylate (PMMA)

Acrylic – Poly-methyl Meth Acrylate (PMMA)

  • These polymers are very versatile, coloured with a smooth finish.
  • They are tough but brittle when thin, easily scratched, formed and joined.
  • These polymers are in sheet, tube or bar form.
  • They are commonly used in school workshops for laser cutting and line bending.
  • Other products include car lights, display stands, modern bathtubs, hats and gloves.
  • Triangular recycle logo number 7.

Polymer Types: Thermosetting

Thermosetting plastics are commonly used in everyday objects such as electrical fittings. They could even be used in some of your GCSE projects.

Epoxy Resin (ER - Araldite)

Epoxy Resin (ER - Araldite)

  • These resins are made up of two parts: resin and a hardener, which are mixed together.
  • These polymers set clear with a smooth finish.
  • This resin is stronger than other adhesives, can join multiple materials and has a good chemical and heat resistance.
  • They are commonly used for bonding materials together, electric circuit boards and waterproof coatings.
Melamine Formaldehyde (MF)

Melamine Formaldehyde (MF)

  • These polymers are smooth, available in a variety of shapes and in many colours.
  • These polymers are food safe, hygienic, lightweight but brittle.
  • They are commonly used for kitchenware, worktops and flat-pack furniture.
Urea Formaldehyde (UF)

Urea Formaldehyde (UF)

  • These polymers are mainly white, versatile and smooth.
  • These polymers are heat resistant, good electrical insulators, hard, brittle and easily moulded.
  • They are commonly used for electrical fittings, casings, handles and buttons.
Polyester Resin (PR)

Polyester Resin (PR)

  • These resins are made up of two parts: resin and a hardener, which are mixed together.
  • These polymers set clear with a smooth finish and can be coloured.
  • This resin is strong, heat resistant and a good electrical insulator.
  • They are commonly used for flooring, fibreglass lamination and paperweights.
Phenol Formaldehyde (PF)

Phenol Formaldehyde (PF)

  • These polymers have a limited colour range with a high gloss finish.
  • These polymers were formerly known as Bakelite.
  • They are very rigid, hard and brittle.
  • They are excellent electrical insulators with good chemical resistance.
  • They are commonly used for electrical components, mechanical parts, castings and old Bakelite electrical products.
Jump to other topics
1

Core Technical Principles

1.1

New & Emerging Technologies

1.1.1Industry1.1.2Enterprise1.1.3Sustainability1.1.4People1.1.5Culture & Society1.1.6Environment1.1.7Production Techniques & Systems1.1.8Emerging Technologies & Design1.1.9End of Topic Test - New & Emerging Technologies1.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Emerging Technologies
1.2

Energy Generation & Storage

1.2.1Fossil Fuels & Nuclear1.2.2Renewable Energy1.2.3Energy Storage Systems
1.3

Developments in New Materials

1.3.1Modern Materials1.3.2Smart Materials1.3.3Exam-Style Questions - Smart Materials1.3.4Composite Materials1.3.5Technical Textiles
1.4

Systems Approach to Designing

1.4.1Inputs1.4.2Processes1.4.3Outputs1.4.4Looped Systems
1.5

Mechanical Devices

1.5.1Types of Movement1.5.2Levers1.5.3Linkages1.5.4Rotary Systems1.5.5End of Topic Test - Designing & Mechanical Devices
1.6

Materials Categories

1.6.1Timbers1.6.2Metals & Alloys1.6.3Metals & Alloys 21.6.4Polymers1.6.5Polymer Types1.6.6Textiles1.6.7Textile Types: Fibres1.6.8Textile Types: Weave1.6.9Paper & Boards
1.7

Material Properties

1.7.1Physical & Working Properties1.7.2End of Topic Test - Materials1.7.3Exam-Style Questions - Materials
2

Paper & Board: Specialist Technical Principles

2.1

Selection of Materials

2.1.1Paper & Boards2.1.2Working with Paper & Boards
2.2

Paper & Board: Forces & Stresses

2.2.1Paper & Board: Forces & Stresses2.2.2Cardboard & Paper
2.3

Paper & Board: Ecological & Social Footprint

2.3.1Paper & Board: Ecological & Social Footprint2.3.2Paper & Board: The Six Rs2.3.3Social Issues
2.4

Paper & Board: Sources & Origins

2.4.1Paper & Board2.4.2End of Topic Test - Paper & Board
2.5

Paper & Board: Using Materials

2.5.1Paper & Board: Properties of Materials2.5.2Paper & Board: Modification of Materials2.5.3Paper & Board: Shape & Form
2.6

Paper & Board: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes

2.6.1Paper & Board: Forms2.6.2Paper & Board: Types2.6.3Paper & Board: Sizes2.6.4Paper & Board: Standards Components
2.7

Paper & Board: Scales of Production

2.7.1Paper & Board: Scales of Production2.7.2Exam-Style Questions - Scales of Production
2.8

Paper & Board: Specialist Techniques & Processes

2.8.1Paper & Board: Techniques & Processes2.8.2Paper & Board: Quality Control
2.9

Paper & Board: Surface Treatments & Finishes

2.9.1Paper & Board: Surface Treatments & Finishes2.9.2End of Topic Test - Specialist Techniques
3

Timber: Specialist Technical Principles

3.1

Timber: Selection of Materials

3.1.1Timber Based Materials3.1.2Timber: Environment & Ethics
3.2

Timber: Forces & Stresses

3.2.1Timber: Forces & Stresses3.2.2Timber
3.3

Timber: Ecological & Social Footprint

3.3.1Timber: Ecological & Social Footprint3.3.2Timber: The Six Rs3.3.3Timber: Social Issues3.3.4Exam-Style Questions - Timber
3.4

Timber: Sources & Origins

3.4.1Timber3.4.2Timber: Processing & Seasoning3.4.3Manufactured Board3.4.4End of Topic Test - Timber
3.5

Timber: Using Materials

3.5.1Timber: Properties of Materials3.5.2Timber: Modification of Materials3.5.3Timber: Shape & Form3.5.4Timber: Shape & Form 2
3.6

Timber: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes

3.6.1Timber: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes
3.7

Timber: Scales of Production

3.7.1Timber: Scales of Production
3.8

Timber: Specialist Techniques & Processes

3.8.1Timber: Tools, Equipment & Processes3.8.2Timber: Tools, Equipment & Processes 23.8.3Timber: Quality Control
3.9

Timber: Surface Treatments & Finishes

3.9.1Timber: Surface Treatments3.9.2Timber: Finishes3.9.3End of Topic Test - Specialist Techniques
4

Metal: Specialist Technical Principles

4.1

Metals: Selection of Materials

4.1.1Metal-Based Materials4.1.2Ferrous Metals4.1.3Non-Ferrous Metals4.1.4Alloys4.1.5Metals: Environment & Ethics
4.2

Metals: Forces & Stresses

4.2.1Metals: Forces & Stresses
4.3

Metals: Ecological & Social Footprint

4.3.1Metals: Ecological Footprint4.3.2Metals: Social Footprint4.3.3Metals: The Six R's4.3.4Metals: Social Issues
4.4

Metals: Sources & Origins

4.4.1Origins of Metal4.4.2Processing Metals
4.5

Metals: Alloy-Based Materials

4.5.1Types of Metal Alloys4.5.2Alloying Elements4.5.3Properties & Benefits4.5.4Processing & Fabrication4.5.5Applications of Alloys4.5.6Metal Alloys in Industry4.5.7Applications of Metal Alloys
4.6

Metals: Using Materials

4.6.1Properties of Metals4.6.2Modification of Metals4.6.3Metals: Shape & Form
4.7

Metals: Scales of Production

4.7.1Metals: Scales of Production
4.8

Metals: Specialist Techniques & Processes

4.8.1Metals: Tools4.8.2Metals: Tools & Equipment4.8.3Metals: Cutting, Forming & Machining Processes4.8.4Metals: Joining, Casting & Heat Treatment Process
4.9

Metals: Quality Control

4.9.1Metals: Quality Control4.9.2Metals: Quality Control Processes
4.10

Metals: Surface Treatments & Finishes

4.10.1Metals: Surface Treatments4.10.2Metals: Surface Treatments for Metals4.10.3Metals: Finishes4.10.4Metals: Finishing Techniques for Metals
5

Polymers: Specialist Technical Principles

5.1

Polymers

5.1.1Polymers: Functionality & Aesthetics5.1.2Polymers: Environment & Ethics5.1.3Polymers: Sources, Origins & Properties5.1.4Polymers: Forces & Stresses5.1.5Polymers: Ecological & Social Footprint5.1.6Polymers: The Six R's
5.2

Polymer Categories

5.2.1Categories of Polymers5.2.2Thermoforming Polymers5.2.3Thermosetting Polymers
5.3

Polymer Forms

5.3.1Polymers: Stock Forms5.3.2Polymers: Shape & Form
5.4

Polymer Production, Techniques & Quality Control

5.4.1Polymers: Scales of Production5.4.2Polymers: Specialist Techniques & Processes5.4.3Polymers: Quality Control Systems: Tolerance5.4.4Polymers: Finishes
6

Textiles: Specialist Technical Principles

6.1

Textile Materials

6.1.1Origin of Textiles6.1.2Textile Industry
6.2

Selection of Materials

6.2.1Natural Fibres6.2.2Synthetic Fibres6.2.3Environmental Concerns6.2.4Environmental Impact6.2.5Ethical Challenges
6.3

Forces & Stresses

6.3.1Forces & Stresses
6.4

Ecological & Social Footprint

6.4.1Ecological Footprint6.4.2Social Footprint6.4.3Addressing Ecological & Social Footprints6.4.4The Six R's6.4.5Labour Conditions6.4.6Social Issues6.4.7Addressing Social Issues
7

Designing & Making Principles

7.1

Investigation & Data

7.1.1Iterative Design7.1.2Primary & Secondary Data7.1.3Market Research7.1.4Ergonomics7.1.5Specifications7.1.6End of Topic Test - Investigation & Data7.1.7Exam-Style Questions - Specifications
7.2

Environmental, Social & Economic Challenges

7.2.1Challenges7.2.2Your Research
7.3

The Work of Others

7.3.1Designers7.3.2Architects7.3.3Product Design7.3.4Industrial Designers7.3.5Product Design Companies7.3.6Textile Design Companies7.3.7End of Topic Test - The Work of Others
7.4

Design Strategies

7.4.1Design Strategies
7.5

Communication of Design Ideas

7.5.1Design Communication
7.6

Prototype Development

7.6.1Prototype Development
7.7

Selection of Materials

7.7.1Materials
7.8

Tolerances

7.8.1Tolerances
7.9

Material Management

7.9.1Managing Material7.9.2Tools
7.10

Specialist Equipment

7.10.1Health & Safety
7.11

Specialist Techniques & Processes

7.11.1Specialist Techniques & Processes7.11.2Surface Finishes7.11.3End of Topic Test - Designing & Making

Practice questions on Polymer Types

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which thermoforming polymer has triangular recycle logo number 3?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Which thermoforming polymer is commonly used in raincoats?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Features of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE):True / false
  4. 4
    Which thermoforming plastic has recycle logo number 6?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Which thermoforming plastic gives off a toxic fumes when burnt?Multiple choice
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Polymers

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