Thermoplastics are any plastic polymer substance that becomes malleable or moldable at a specific elevated temperature and solidifies upon cooling. Thermoplastics encompass all plastic materials that soften and may return to a liquid state when heated but solidify and become rigid when cooled. Read More…
All Plastics and Fiberglass performs fabrication for fiberglass and plastics. Among the standard products we produce are ducts, grating, structural shapes, pipe hangers and tanks. We do custom fabrication on tanks and pipe hangers. We also make prefabricated piping systems, handrails and more. We have built a reputation on high quality and superior service for more than two decades.
Since 1943, Acme Plastics, Inc. has been a one-stop source for plastics. Whether you need acrylic, polycarbonate, plastic sheet or any number of other plastic materials and plastic products, we have the engineers and manufacturing capability to serve you best! We pride ourselves on customer service and offer the highest quality, plastic materials available. Remember, if it’s plastic it’s at...
Mr. Plastics offers plastic material distribution, fabrication, and manufacturing as well. You can pick from plastic sheeting, plastic rods, plastic tubes, and film. Hard to find plastics are no problem. If you have specifications, we are able to fabricate your plastic material.
Vanderveer manufacatures plastic sheeting, laminated plastic products, epoxy glass materials, phenolic tubing and phenolic materials. We also fabricate using our lathe, saw and CNC mill areas. Our thermoplastic materials include polypropylene, nylon, polycarbonate, polyethylene and more.
CS Hyde has been providing high-end plastic materials since our founding in 1996, and has become a leading distributor and converter to a wide variety of markets. Materials we have available include Teflon Fluoroplastic, PTFE, Mylar®, Kevlar®, and more. We utilize the most high-tech converting equipment to provide superior products to our customers in a short time frame. It is our continuous...
Our skilled teams of designers and engineers will work with you from design to delivery, prototype to production to ensure that we are bringing a custom designed product that will perfectly fill all of your requirements. Since 1964 we have been committed to providing our customers with top of the line products that will withstand the tests of time! Get in touch with our customer service...
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Thermoplastic Polymers Properties
Typically, polymers are chosen to replace metal in structural applications. However, a like-for-like substitution of a polymer component for a metallic section will often reduce weight.
Polymers can be easily molded into shapes where metals are challenging. The engineer can create a desirable shape that facilitates plastic forming, reduce cost and weight, and improve aesthetics by employing a polymer. Since the polymer portion does not need painting for corrosion protection, like the similar metal part, further cost savings is realized. The choice of a particular polymer will depend on the end-use environment's temperature, chemical composition, and mechanical needs.
Polymerization Process
The process of polymerization is used to connect monomers, or tiny molecules, to create long chains to create thermoplastics. Many thousands of monomers can be used to create a single polymer chain. While there are weak forces between chains, strong covalent bonds connect the atoms in polymer chains.
Side branches may be present in polymer chains depending on the kind of monomer. A polymer chain can form organized; crystalline areas known as spherulites only contain a few short side branches. On the other hand, the polymer is amorphous if the chain has numerous big side branches since this prevents the formation of organized regions.
Amorphous polymers include acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polystyrene (PS) (ABS). Since crystallites deflect light, amorphous polymers are employed in applications where optical clarity is essential. However, these amorphous polymers lack a crystalline structure and are less resilient to chemical assault and environmental stress cracking.
Before a thermoplastic polymer can be utilized, it is typically combined with additives to enhance its functionality, stability, or appearance. Additives may include stabilizers, plasticizers, lubricants, flame retardants, and colorants. Stabilizers are added, for instance, to lessen deterioration brought on by heat or sunlight. At the same time, plasticizers are used to make amorphous chain segments more mobile, lowering the glass transition temperature and reducing brittleness.
Types of Thermoplastics
The majority of thermoplastics are made from polymeric resins. These are extended chains of several smaller monomers joined by covalent bonds. Condensation polymers and addition polymers are the two primary categories of thermoplastics. Plastics that create covalent connections without losing atoms or molecules are classified as extra polymers. On the other hand, during bonding, condensation polymers consistently lose a molecule, typically water.
Based on their chemical makeup and how they form bonds, the materials within these classifications can be divided into monomers, intermediates, binders, base polymers, elastomers, and rubber materials. The unique characteristics of thermoplastics might further categorize them. To improve or change the properties of plastic material, thermoplastic makers can add additives like powders, fibers, plasticizers, and ceramics in addition to the polymerized ingredients. These are crucial in the manufacture and processing of thermoplastics.
Considerations When Purchasing Thermoplastics
Thermoplastics come in a wide range of densities and crystalline structures, and they all have unique features. Therefore, understanding a plastic's specifications concerning the finished product or application is crucial. The correct thermoplastic for a given application depends on various criteria, including additives, manufacturing, and raw material availability. Physical, mechanical, electrical, and optical characteristics, as well as melting point, size, and flexibility, are additional factors.
When considering any thermoplastic, one must specifically consider the following factors.
- The resin viscosity needs to be low enough to penetrate the reinforcement.
- The size of the molding: Because cure reactions are sometimes exothermic, thick moldings may require a slower rate of curvature to prevent an uncontrolled temperature rise during the curing process, which could be enough to harm the molding.
- The speed of reaction plays a significant role in the volume of articles produced.
- The resin needs to moisten and stick to the reinforcement to be compatible.
- Moisture content: Some polymers do not perform as well as others in wet conditions. Ingress of moisture into a laminate might result in a serious loss of characteristics.
Choosing the Right Thermoplastics Supplier
To make sure you have the most beneficial outcome when purchasing thermoplastics from a thermoplastic supplier, it is important to compare at least 5 companies using our list of thermoplastic suppliers. Each thermoplastic supplier has a business profile page that highlights their areas of experience and capabilities and a contact form to directly communicate with the supplier for more information or request a quote. Review each thermoplastic company website using our patented website previewer to get an idea of what each company specializes in, and then use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple thermoplastic companies with the same form.
