what are common plastics

Collectively, Polyethylene is the most common plastics in the world, but it’s classified into three types: High-Density, Low-Density and Linear Low-Density. High-Density Polyethylene is strong and resistant to moisture and chemicals, which makes it ideal for cartons, containers, pipes and other building materials.

Full Answer

What are the most common plastic products?

Types:

• PET (PETE), polyethylene terephthalate.
• HDPE, high-density polyethylene.
• PVC, polyvinyl chloride.
• LDPE, low-density polyethylene,
• PP, polypropylene.
• PS, polystyrene.
• Other types of plastics (see list, below)

What are the most common types of plastic?

What are the most common types of plastic?

1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
2. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
4. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
5. Polypropylene (PP)

What are the most commonly used plastics?

What are the most common plastics used today?

1. PET (Polyethylene terephthalate)
2. HDPE (High density polyethylene)
3. PVC (Polyvinyl chloride)
4. LDPE (Low density polyethylene)
5. PP (Polypropylene)
6. PS (Polystyrene)
7. Other plastics

What do all plastics have in common?

• The hardness of the plastic
• The density of the plastic (or the mass-to-volume ratio of the plastic)
• The tensile strength of the plastic (or the maximum amount of stress that the plastic can handle without breaking or undergoing a permanent deformation)
• The resistance of the plastic to heat

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What is the most common plastic?

polyethyleneThe most common plastic on earth, polyethylene can be manufactured in varying densities. Each different density of polyethylene gives the final plastic unique physical properties. As a result, polyethylene is in a wide variety of products.

What are the 6 most commonly used plastics?

Here are the “Big Six” of plastics, what they are generally used for, and what to do with them:Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET #1) ... High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE #2) ... Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC #3) ... Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE #4) ... Polypropylene (PP #5) ... Polystyrene (PS #6)

What are the four common plastics?

The 5 Most Common Plastics & Their Everyday Uses1: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) ... 2: High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) ... 3: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) ... 4: Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) ... 5: Polypropylene (PP)

What are some examples of plastics?

Examples of PlasticsPolyethylene terephthalate: PET or PETE.High-density polyethylene: HDPE.Polyvinyl chloride: PVC.Polypropylene: PP.Polystyrene: PS.Low-density polyethylene: LDPE.

What are 5 common plastics used in homes?

Window frames, pipes, flooring, wallpaper, bottles, cling film, toys, guttering, cable insulation, credit cards, medical products. Film, bags, toys, coatings, containers, pipes, cable insulation. Containers, toys, house wares, industrial wrapping and film, gas pipes.

What are the 7 main types of plastic?

The Basics On 7 Common Types of Plastic1) Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)2) High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)3) Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl)4) Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)5) Polypropylene (PP)6) Polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam)7) Other.

What are 10 things made of plastic?

10 plastic items you can easily cut out of your lifeBottled water. ... Disposable coffee cups. ... Straws. ... Wine bottles with plastic stoppers or screw lids. ... Chewing gum. ... Shopping bags. ... Toiletries containing microbeads. ... Disposable pens.More items...•

What are the 2 main types of plastic?

As mentioned above, polymers that are classified as plastics can be divided into two major categories: thermoplastics and thermosets.

What are the common types of plastic that can be recycled?

Which Plastics Are Recyclable By Number?#1: PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) ... #2: HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) ... #3: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) ... #4: LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) ... #5: PP (Polypropylene) ... #6: PS (Polystyrene) ... #7: Polycarbonate, BPA, and Other Plastics.

What everyday items contain plastic?

You may work hard to avoid plastic waste, but often it's difficult to know what's natural and what's synthetic....Luckily, you can make simple sustainable swaps to help protect our planet.Gum. ... Chip & Snack Bags. ... Food Containers. ... Disposable Wipes. ... Clothing. ... Canned Drinks. ... Biodegradable Utensils. ... Bandages.More items...•

What household items are made of plastic?

Here are 10 commonly used plastic items and the simple swaps that you can do in your everyday life to help the ocean:Plastic Grocery Bags. ... Plastic Produce Bags. ... Plastic Straws. ... Plastic Water Bottles. ... Ziploc Baggies. ... Disposable Coffee Cups. ... Plastic Cutlery. ... Body Wash In Plastic Bottles.More items...•

What are plastics used for in everyday life?

Plastics are used to make bicycle helmets, child safety seats and airbags in automobiles. They're in the cell phones, televisions, computers and other electronic equipment that makes modern life possible. They're in the roofs, walls, flooring and insulation that make homes and buildings energy efficient.

What is PP plastic?

Polypropylene (PP) is a strong yet flexible plastic that can withstand high temperatures up to 200 degrees C. PP is manufactured from propylene gas in presence of a catalyst such as titanium chloride. Being a lightweight material, PP has high tensile strength and is highly resistant to corrosion, chemicals, and moisture.

What is PVC made of?

PVC can be obtained from ethylene and salt by vinyl chloride polymerization.

What is HDPE in chemistry?

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a semi flexible to hard plastic that can be easily processed by catalytic polymerization of ethylene in slurry, solution, or gas phase reactors. It is resistant to chemicals, moisture, and any sort of impact but cannot stand temperatures exceeding 160 degrees C.

What is HDPE used for?

HDPE products can be safely used for storing food and drinks and so it is used for shopping bags, freezer bags, milk bottles, ice cream containers, and juice bottles. It is also used for shampoo and conditioner bottles, soap bottles, detergents, bleaches, and agricultural pipes.

Is LDPE a good material?

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is soft and flexible as compared to HDPE. Low Density Polyethylene shows good chemical resistance and excellent electrical properties. At low temperatures, it shows high impact strength. LDPE is compatible with most foods and household chemicals and acts as a poor oxygen barrier.

What is the most widely produced plastic in the world?

Here is our list of the top 11 plastics the modern world simply cannot do without: 1. Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET): PET is the most widely produced plastic in the world. It is used predominantly as a fiber (known by the trade name “polyester”) and for bottling or packaging. For example, PET is the plastic used for bottled water ...

Why are plastics important?

Plastics have revolutionized many industries for a number of different reasons to include the fact that they resist environmental degradation over time, are generally safe for human beings, are economical and widely available, and are produced with a wide variety of material properties that allow adaptation to many different applications. Here is our list of the top 11 plastics the modern world simply cannot do without:

What is a POM?

Acetal (Polyoxymethylene, POM): Acetal is a very high tensile strength plastic with significant creep resistant properties that bridge the material properties gap between most plastics and metals. It is known for high resistance to heat, abrasion, water, and chemical compounds.

What is polypropylene used for?

Polypropylene is used in a variety of applications to include packaging for consumer products, plastic parts for the automotive industry, special devices like living hinges, and textiles. It is semi-transparent, has a low-friction surface, doesn’t react well with liquids, is easily repaired from damage and has good electrical resistance (i.e. it is a good electrical insulator). Perhaps most importantly, polypropylene is adaptable to a variety of manufacturing techniques which makes it one of the most commonly produced and highly demanded plastics on the market.

What is LDPE in grocery?

LDPE: LDPE is the plastic used for plastic bags in grocery stores. It has high ductility but low tensile strength. HDPE: A stiff plastic used for more robust plastic packaging like laundry detergent containers as well as for construction applications or trash bins.

What is polycarbonate used for?

It is used in greenhouses where high transmissivity and high strength are both required or in riot gear for police.

What is the most common type of polyethylene?

2. Polyethylene (PE): There are a number of different variants of polyethylene. Low and high density polye thylene (LDPE and HDPE respectively) are the two most common and the material properties vary across the different variants. HDPE plastic container.

What are the different types of plastic?

There are so many different types of plastic material, and a lot of them, like polyethylene , PVC, acrylic, etc., have incredibly useful and versatile properties. You would be amazed by just how many types of plastic there are, and how some, like Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK), are quickly taking the place of metals in a wide range of applications. ...

What is PVC used for?

It can be used to create rigid, lightweight sheets, like Foamex, but it can also be used to make faux-leather materials like leatherette and pleather. Common uses of PVC: Signage, furniture, clothing, medical containers, tubing, water and sewage pipes, flooring, cladding, vinyl records, cables, cleaning solution containers, water bottles.

Why is HDPE used?

One of the reasons that HDPE is used so regularly is that it can be recycled in many different ways and therefore converted into many different things. Common uses of HDPE: Cleaning solution and soap containers, Food and drink storage, shopping bags, freezer bags, pipes, insulation, bottle caps, vehicle fuel tanks, protective helmets, ...

What are some uses for polypropylene?

Common uses of Polypropylene: Clothing, surgery tools and supplies, hobbyist model, bottle caps, food containers, straws, crisp bags, kettles, lunch boxes, packing tape. These 5 Most Common Plastics are just 5 of many that are used globally for various applications. If you have an upcoming project that requies a type of plastic, ...

Is PVC a good material?

Cost effective to produce and highly resilient to chemical and biological damage, PVC is easy to work with and mould into shapes; making it an extremely practical material. In terms of properties, PVC is one of the most versatile.

Is PET plastic flexible?

One of the plastics you are most likely to come into physical contact with on a daily basis, depending on how it is made PET can be completely rigid or flexible, and because of its molecular construction it is impact, chemical and weather resistant and a terrific water and gas barrier.

Is polypropylene a food safe material?

Having said that, it has quite a high tolerance to high temperatures, relative to other plastics, and is considered to be a food safe material.

Why are plastics important?

Plastics have revolutionized many industries for a number of different reasons to include the fact that they resist environmental degradation over time, are generally safe for human beings, are economical and widely available, and are produced with a wide variety of material properties that allow adaptation to many different applications. Here is our list of the top 11 plastics the modern world simply cannot do without:

What is the most common polyethylene?

There are a number of different variants of polyethylene. Low and high density polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE respectively) are the two most common and the material properties vary across the different variants.

What is polycarbonate used for?

It is used in greenhouses where high transmissivity and high strength are both required or in riot gear for police.

What is PVC pipe used for?

Polyvin yl Chloride is perhaps most well known for its use in residential and commercial property construction applications. Different types of PVC are used for plumbing, insulation of electrical wires, and “vinyl” siding. In the construction business PVC pipe is often referred to by the term “schedule 40” which indicates the thickness of the pipe relative to its length.

What is acetal plastic?

Acetal is a very high tensile strength plastic with significant creep resistant properties that bridge the material properties gap between most plastics and metals. It is known for high resistance to heat, abrasion, water, and chemical compounds. Additionally, Acetal has a particularly low coefficient of friction which combined with its other characteristics makes it very useful for applications that utilize gears.

What is polypropylene used for?

Polypropylene is used in a variety of applications to include packaging for consumer products, plastic parts for the automotive industry, special devices like living hinges, and textiles. It is semi-transparent, has a low-friction surface, doesn’t react well with liquids, is easily repaired from damage and has good electrical resistance (i.e. it is a good electrical insulator). Perhaps most importantly, polypropylene is adaptable to a variety of manufacturing techniques which makes it one of the most commonly produced and highly demanded plastics on the market.

Is polylactic acid derived from petroleum?

Polylactic Acid is unique in relation to the other plastics on this list in that it is derived from biomass rather than petroleum. Accordingly it biodegrades much quicker than traditional plastic materials.

What is the most common plastic used in the world?

5 Common Plastics. 1. Polyethylene. Polyethylene (PE) is the world's most commonly produced synthetic plastic, and it is used in a huge range of applications including grocery bags, laundry detergent containers and bulletproof vests.

What is plastic used for?

In addition to packing materials, this type of plastic is also used in insulation, surfboards and small foam coffee cups. Typically, manufacturers start with small beads of polystyrene, which they then mold, extrude or cut into desired shapes. This is just the tip of the plastic iceberg.

What is polypropylene used for?

In manufacturing, various types of molding, including blow molding and injection molding, are used to turn this plastic into a variety of objects. In some cases, manufacturers use extrusion methods to turn polypropylene into long rolls that can eventually be manufactured ...

What is the best plastic for recycling?

2. Polypropylene. Like Polyethylene, polypropylene (PP) is also a thermoplastic. That makes it great for recycling. This type of plastic often appears as a fiber in applications such as rugs and thermal underwear, but it can work as a more traditional plastic in products such as lab equipment and certain car parts.

What is the plastic used for packing peanuts?

Polystyrene. Polystyrene (PS) is most commonly known as Styrofoam, the brand name for packing peanuts. However, that's certainly not the only application for this plastic. Manufacturers also use it to create soft drink lids, petri dishes and test tubes.

How is PVC made?

PVC can be manufactured in a range of ways which create a liquid or powder version of the plastic. Roughly half of all PVC is then made into pipes, and the rest is made into a range of other materials using traditional molds, 3D printing or other manufacturing methods. 5. Polystyrene.

What is the abbreviation for PVC?

In manufacturing, PET pellets get heated until they form a hot liquid which is then put into a mold. 4. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Commonly known by its abbreviation PVC, polyvinyl chloride is the world's third most common plastic polymer after polyethylene and polypropylene.

What is plastic used for?

Other uses include automobiles (up to 20% plastic ), furniture, and toys. In the developing world, the applications of plastic may differ; 42% of India's consumption is used in packaging. In the medical field, polymer implants and other medical devices are derived at least partially from plastic.

How much plastic is produced in the world?

Worldwide, about 50 kg of plastic is produced annually per person, with production doubling every ten years. The world's first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in New York in 1907, by Leo Baekeland, who coined the term "plastics".

What is biodegradable plastic?

Main article: Biodegradable plastic. Biodegradable plastics are plastics that degrade (break down) upon exposure to sunlight or ultra-violet radiation; water or dampness; bacteria; enzymes; or wind abrasion. Attack by insects, such as waxworms and mealworms, can also be considered as forms of biodegradation.

How much energy is needed to make plastic?

Production of plastics from crude oil requires 7.9 to 13.7 kWh/lb (taking into account the average efficiency of US utility stations of 35%). Producing silicon and semiconductors for modern electronic equipment is even more energy consuming: 29.2 to 29.8 kWh/lb for silicon, and about 381 kWh/lb for semiconductors. This is much higher than the energy needed to produce many other materials. For example, to produce iron (from iron ore) requires 2.5-3.2 kWh/lb of energy; glass (from sand, etc.) 2.3–4.4 kWh/lb; steel (from iron) 2.5–6.4 kWh/lb; and paper (from timber) 3.2–6.4 kWh/lb.

How are polymers formed?

The vast majority of these polymers are formed from chains of carbon atoms, with or without the attachment of oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms. These chains comprise many repeating units formed from monomers. Each polymer chain consists of several thousand repeating units. The backbone is the part of the chain that is on the main path, linking together a large number of repeat units. To customize the properties of a plastic, different molecular groups called side chains hang from this backbone; they are usually hung from the monomers before the monomers themselves are linked together to form the polymer chain. The structure of these side chains influences the properties of the polymer.

What are household items made of?

Household items made of various types of plastic. Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that use polymers as a main ingredient. Their plasticity makes it possible for plastics to be moulded, extruded or pressed into solid objects of various shapes. This adaptability, plus a wide range of other properties, ...

What is a thermoplastic made of?

Plastarch: biodegradable and heat-resistant thermoplastic composed of modified corn starch.

Why are plastics so attractive?

Because plastics are lightweight and affordable, they’re an incredibly attractive option for automotive manufacturers today. As fuel efficiency becomes an increasing concern for consumers, any decrease in weight can translate directly into a boost in sales. What’s more, plastics are corrosion-resistant, long-lasting, malleable, and offer greater design freedom than metals.

What percentage of plastic is polyvinyl chloride?

Polyvinyl chloride makes up approximately 16% of all plastic in a typical modern vehicle. Boasting flexibility, heat resistance, and low lead content, polyvinyl chloride is well-suited for a huge range of auto parts, particularly because it can also take on both soft or hard forms.

What is polypropylene used for?

Because of its durability and chemical resistance, polypropylene is used in everything from bumpers to cable insulation to carpet fibers.

What is polycarbonate bumper?

Because of these qualities, as well as its resistance to heat and weathering, polycarbonate is a go-to material in the manufacturing of car bumpers.

Is polyurethane hard or soft?

Polyurethane, which can take on both soft and hard forms, is exceptionally resistant to solvents, radiation, and environmental wear. Because of these qualities, polyurethane is well-suited for numerous applications, including tires, suspension brushes, seating, and more.

What are some items that contain plastic?

However, the consequences of this choice have only now become apparent. Items That Contain Plastic: Coffee filters.

What is the body of LED light bulbs made of?

LED Light bulbs. The era of glass and metal is gone to give way to plastic to replace both. Now the body of each bulb is made of a more resistant material that has all the necessary properties except environmental friendliness.

What is the problem with non-biodegradable materials?

Cleaning supplies. Packaging and substances abuse the use of a resistant material that will remove stains, but will become a new pollution problem. The widespread use of non-biodegradable materials worries more and more people and humanity is beginning to throw off the plastic shackles.

Is paper packaging a form of plastic?

We have always been convinced that paper packaging is the salvation from plastic slavery, but it is not. Packaging can contain plastic in its structure or a thin insulating layer of plastic to keep cardboard from getting wet.