ABS

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Other Specialist Styrenics

ABS is an ideal material wherever superlative surface quality, colorfastness and luster are required. ABS is a two phase polymer blend. A continuous phase of styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) gives the materials rigidity, hardness and heat resistance. The toughness of ABS is the result of sub microscopically fine polybutadiene rubber particles uniformly distributed in the SAN matrix.



Automotive construction places particularly high requirements on the materials used. Under extreme stresses they have to be dimensionally stable and must not warp, even when faced with great temperature variations.

Electrical and electronics industries increasingly require surfaces which are not only highly scratch- and wear-resistant but also decorative and easy to maintain. ABS’s excellent antistatic performance is a particular advantage here.

Attractive products with elegant design and high quality create a feeling of well-being at home and in the office. ABS can create exciting and varied color schemes. Grades can also be electroplated, emboss-stamped or metalized.

Styrene Acrylonitrile copolymers have been available since the 1940’s and while its increased toughness over styrene made it suitable for many applications, its limitations led to the introduction of a rubber (butadiene) as a third monomer and hence was born the range of materials popularly referred to as ABS plastics. These became available in the 1950’s and the variability of these copolymers and ease of processing has led to ABS becoming the most popular of the engineering polymers.

Terluran® is the ABS from BASF : special Terluran® grades and Tellurian® Standard are ideal materials wherever superlative surface quality, colorfastness and luster are required. Terluran’s properties are superior to those generally expected from an ABS, even where comparable products require costly modification. Terluran® is an extremely cost-effective material for components with stringent service requirements, or where there is weight-saving potential.

PP

What Is Polypropylene

Polypropylene is a type of thermoplastic polymer resin. It is a part of both the average household and is in commercial and industrial applications. The chemical designation is C3H6. One of the benefits of using this type of plastic is that it can be useful in numerous applications including as a structural plastic or as a fiber-type plastic.

History

The history of polypropylene began in 1954 when a German chemist named Karl Rehn and an Italian chemist named Giulio Natta first polymerized it. This led to a large commercial production of the product that began just three years later. Natta synthesized the first syndiotactic polypropylene.

Everyday Uses

The uses of polypropylene are numerous because of how versatile this product is. According to some reports, the global market for this plastic is 45.1 million tons, which equates to a consumer market use of about $65 billion. It is used in products such as the following:

·         Plastic parts - from toys to automobile products

·         Carpeting - in all forms of carpeting, area rugs and in upholstery

·         Reusable products - especially in containers and similar products

·         Paper - used in various applications for stationery and other writing bindings

·         Technology - commonly found in loudspeakers and similar types of equipment

·         Laboratory equipment - in virtually every aspect where plastics are found

·         Thermoplastic fiber reinforced composites

PVC

What Is PVC Plastics

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a popular thermoplastic that contains high levels of chlorine which can reach up to 57%. Carbon, which is derived from oil or gas is also used in its fabrication. It is an odorless and solid plastic that is white, brittle and can also be found on the market in the form of pellets or white powder. PVC resin is often supplied in the powder forms and its high resistance to oxidation and degradation make it possible to store the material for long periods. Some authors/activists that oppose the manufactures of PVC often refer to it as the "Poison Plastic" due to the toxic pollutants it might release. When plasticizes are added it becomes softer and more flexible.

Uses of PVC

PVC is predominant in the construction industry due to its low production cost, ease to mold and lightweight. It is used as a replacement for metal in many applications where corrosion can compromise functionality and escalate maintenance costs. Many of the world’s pipes are made from PVC and these are used in industrial and municipal applications. It is also used to make pipe fitting and pipe conduits. It does not have to be welded and can be connected with the use of joints, solvent cements and special glues--key points that highlight its installation flexibility. The material is also present in the electrical components such as: electrical insulation, wires and cable coatings.

In the health care industry it is used to make feeding tubes, blood bags, intravenous (IV) bags, parts of dialysis devices and many other items. This is only possible when phosphates are added to it. Phosphates are used as plasticizes to produce flexible grades of PVC (and other plastics), thus making it better suited for the aforementioned applications due to improved performance characteristics.

Common consumer products such as raincoats, plastic bags, toys, credit cards, hoses, doors and window frames and shower curtains are also made from PVC. This is not an exhaustive list of the many products that can be found around the household with PVC as its main constituent.