Plastic is all around us. This substance, built from various types of polymers, is used to make packaging, toys, electronics, medical equipment and much more. Thermoplastic is one of several types of plastic, and this is a type of plastic that becomes malleable when it is heated up. Thermoforming companies take large sheets of plastic, heat it and transform these sheets into all sorts of packaging and products. The polymers used in these plastic sheets vary, depending on what product is being created. Here are a few of the different types of thermoplastics that commonly are used today.
One polymer that is both strong and transparent is PMMA or Poly(methyl methacrylate). Of course, we all know this thermoplastic by brand names such as Lucite or perhaps Plexiglas. This type of thermoplastic is used to create many products, such as acrylic glassware or perhaps the huge glass enclosures at a zoo or aquarium. PMMA also is used to make the windows for airplanes and the exterior headlights and taillights of vehicles. Even doctors use PMMA to create dental fillings, dentures, bone cement and some types of hard contact lenses.
Nylon is a word with which most people are familiar, but most of us probably don't realize that nylon is a type of thermoplastic. Nylon is a synthetic polymer, or man-made, substance created from a class of aliphatic polyamides. Nylon is durable and versatile, and because of its many positive characteristics, it has become one of the world's most used polymers. Nylon production began in 1935 and quickly became useful during World War II. Silk from Asia was in very short supply, so nylon was used to build the many parachutes that would be needed to fight the war. After the war, silk was still in short supply, so clothes were sometimes made using nylon. Products made from nylon are generally resistant to mildew and mold and the substance also is resistant to insects. Nylon is used to make a huge variety of products, including all kinds of ropes and camping and military tents. Instrument strings now contain nylon and so do women's hosiery, which often are just known as "nylons."
DuPont, which has been around since 1802, certainly has its share of important inventions. In addition to nylon, scientists at DuPont also invented Teflon. Teflon is a thermoplastic and a synthetic fluoropolymer called polytetrafluroethylene. That's a mouthful, so it typically is just called Teflon or PTFE. Obviously, it is useful for the creation of non-stick cookware, which went into production in the mid-1950s. However, it also is used to make Gore-Tex, athletic footwear, and some kinds of bullets, thread seal tape, gears and much more. One interesting fact about Teflon is that it was actually an accidental discovery made by a chemist who was trying to develop a chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant.
When you think of PVC, you probably think about those white pipes, and it's true that nearly half of the world's pipes are made from this thermoplastic, Poly(vinyl chloride). Cheap to make and fairly durable, PVC is used in the production of hundreds of plastic items. In addition to pipes, consider the portion of the scientific name that also is quite familiar - vinyl. Many products are made from vinyl, specifically vinyl chloride or PVC. This includes everything from food storage containers to kiddie pools to stickers. PVC is water resistant and durable, so it is a handy material to you for vinyl house siding, mattress covers and shower curtains, as well.
There are a few other types of thermoplastics, and consumers might not know the names, but they certainly are familiar with the products. When you buy liquid laundry detergent or buy a plastic gasoline container, these items are made out of polyethylene, which is strong enough to hold many abrasive chemicals. Many reusable and microwave-safe plastic containers are made with a type of plastic known as polypropylene. Styrofoam cups, plates and packing materials are made from a special type of thermoplastic called polystyrene.
One polymer that is both strong and transparent is PMMA or Poly(methyl methacrylate). Of course, we all know this thermoplastic by brand names such as Lucite or perhaps Plexiglas. This type of thermoplastic is used to create many products, such as acrylic glassware or perhaps the huge glass enclosures at a zoo or aquarium. PMMA also is used to make the windows for airplanes and the exterior headlights and taillights of vehicles. Even doctors use PMMA to create dental fillings, dentures, bone cement and some types of hard contact lenses.
Nylon is a word with which most people are familiar, but most of us probably don't realize that nylon is a type of thermoplastic. Nylon is a synthetic polymer, or man-made, substance created from a class of aliphatic polyamides. Nylon is durable and versatile, and because of its many positive characteristics, it has become one of the world's most used polymers. Nylon production began in 1935 and quickly became useful during World War II. Silk from Asia was in very short supply, so nylon was used to build the many parachutes that would be needed to fight the war. After the war, silk was still in short supply, so clothes were sometimes made using nylon. Products made from nylon are generally resistant to mildew and mold and the substance also is resistant to insects. Nylon is used to make a huge variety of products, including all kinds of ropes and camping and military tents. Instrument strings now contain nylon and so do women's hosiery, which often are just known as "nylons."
DuPont, which has been around since 1802, certainly has its share of important inventions. In addition to nylon, scientists at DuPont also invented Teflon. Teflon is a thermoplastic and a synthetic fluoropolymer called polytetrafluroethylene. That's a mouthful, so it typically is just called Teflon or PTFE. Obviously, it is useful for the creation of non-stick cookware, which went into production in the mid-1950s. However, it also is used to make Gore-Tex, athletic footwear, and some kinds of bullets, thread seal tape, gears and much more. One interesting fact about Teflon is that it was actually an accidental discovery made by a chemist who was trying to develop a chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant.
When you think of PVC, you probably think about those white pipes, and it's true that nearly half of the world's pipes are made from this thermoplastic, Poly(vinyl chloride). Cheap to make and fairly durable, PVC is used in the production of hundreds of plastic items. In addition to pipes, consider the portion of the scientific name that also is quite familiar - vinyl. Many products are made from vinyl, specifically vinyl chloride or PVC. This includes everything from food storage containers to kiddie pools to stickers. PVC is water resistant and durable, so it is a handy material to you for vinyl house siding, mattress covers and shower curtains, as well.
There are a few other types of thermoplastics, and consumers might not know the names, but they certainly are familiar with the products. When you buy liquid laundry detergent or buy a plastic gasoline container, these items are made out of polyethylene, which is strong enough to hold many abrasive chemicals. Many reusable and microwave-safe plastic containers are made with a type of plastic known as polypropylene. Styrofoam cups, plates and packing materials are made from a special type of thermoplastic called polystyrene.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell loves blogging about how stuff is made. For further details about plastic thermoforming or to find out more about industrial thermoform packaging, please check out the Indepak website today.
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