Different Kinds of Thermoplastics and Their Applications

Thermoplastics are essentially polymers that liquefy on application of extreme heat, but return to their solid form when cooled. The cycle of freezing and melting can be repeated for moulding the plastics into desired shapes. There are several kinds of thermoplastics used in a wide range of applications such as machine parts, consumer goods, storage and packaging materials and medical equipment.

Let’s have a look at some of the most commonly used types of thermoplastics:

Nylon : 

Nylon belongs to a certain class of polymers known as polyamides, and is often used an alternative for silk in the production of various items like parachutes, women’s stockings and flak vests. The fibres of nylon are very useful in manufacturing ropes, fabrics, strings for different musical instruments and carpets. Besides that, the thermoplastic is also used for making different mechanical parts like gear wheels, power tool casings and machine screws. Nylon is even employed for producing heat-resistant composite materials.

Acrylic : 

This thermoplastic is a special kind of polymer known as polymethyl methacrylate. It is sold under many popular trade names like Lucite, Plexiglass and Perspex. It is often used a substitute for regular glass in many items like aircraft windows, aquariums, helmet visors, submersible viewing ports and exterior light lenses in automobiles. Professionals of the sign industry utilise it particularly for making logos and letterings. In the field of medicine, acrylic is used for replacing eye lenses and in bone cement.

Polyvinyl Chloride : 

PVC or polyvinyl chloride is a lightweight and tough material resistant to bases and acids. It is primarily used by the construction industry for manufacturing drainpipes, gutters, roofing sheets and vinyl sidings. The material can even be transformed into flexible forms by adding plasticisers to make a plethora of utilitarian items like hoses, electrical insulation, coats, jackets, upholstery and tubing.

Polypropylene : 

Polypropylene (also known as PP) is utilised for such varied products as diapers, reusable containers, ropes, sanitary pads, carpets, piping systems, car batteries, filters for liquids and gases, plastic mouldings and insulation for electrical wires. In medicine, the material is also used for making heat-resistant medical tools and repairing hernias.

Teflon : 

The name of this particular thermoplastic is in fact a brand name by DuPont Corp. for a certain kind of polymer known as polytetrafluoroethylene belonging to a class of plastics called fluoropolymers. The most popular usage of this material is as coatings in non-stick cookware. It is also applied as a lubricant between sliding components like bearings, bushings and gears.