The name plastic can be used to describe just about any non-metallic material that isn’t wood, stone, or bone. While there are more than 30,000 different types of plastic available today, many of them have the same basic composition and characteristics, which means they can all be classified as plastics in general terms.
How do you decide on the right plastic to use for your project? Whether you’re making a new product or just adding to an existing one, plastic can be the perfect solution to help you get the job done in no time at all. Before you get started on your project, here are things to consider about the different kinds of plastics available: their hardness, how they interact with water, and their impact on the environment. While it may seem overwhelming at first, by paying attention to these characteristics of different types of plastic, the unique properties and recyclability of corex plastic suppliers allow their products to have an infinite function with excellent endurance you’ll have no problem choosing the right one for your project.
Look at your project
Before you commit to plastic, consider what it is you’re building and how your project will be used. Consider whether or not your project needs to be water-resistant. If it does, then polyethylene (HDPE) might not cut it—look at polypropylene instead. Is weather a factor? Do you need something that won’t shatter if hit by a car? Perhaps polycarbonate is more appropriate than polystyrene, even though they’re both available in clear and opaque varieties. Will your product be in contact with food? If so, you’ll want to avoid any type of plastic with phthalates, which are often found in plastics intended for food use. And lastly, will your product need to be recycled? Look into PETG and PVC as these plastics are easily recyclable.
Consider weight and strength
One of plastic’s main benefits is that it’s relatively lightweight compared to other materials. That makes it great for applications where weight is an issue, like in cars or aeroplanes. But there are different kinds of plastics available and choosing a type that’s not suited to your needs can cause more problems than you expect. For example, PVC is less expensive but significantly heavier than ABS or polypropylene, which will make shipping costs more expensive. If weight isn’t a concern, then you should stick with a strong plastic-like polypropylene—otherwise consider using something lighter, like acrylic or polystyrene.
Think about visibility
There are different kinds of plastics and each is best suited to a specific purpose. If you’re planning on working with plastic, choose your material carefully. Plastics that aren’t well suited to certain jobs can weaken over time, making them vulnerable to moisture or wear and tear. The better your plastic, the longer it will last—that means you’ll spend less time shopping around and more time executing your project. Just remember: try not to rush into anything; think about how you intend to use your plastic and what kind of environment it will be used in before choosing something off-the-shelf.
How to Identify Different Types of Plastics
It’s important to use plastic that’s right for your project. Once you know how different plastics are made, it can be easier to select one. Most plastics are derived from petroleum or natural gas and can be categorized by their chemical composition. There are two main types of polymers: thermoplastics and thermosets. Thermoplastics are soft, pliable materials that become rigid when cooled (think grocery bags). Thermosets don’t soften when heated; they harden into inflexible solids (think of a car bumper).
When choosing which type of plastic is best for your project, consider its end-use application. If you want something flexible, choose a thermoplastic like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polypropylene (PP). If you need something more rigid but still lightweight, try acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
Which Plastics Are Most Suitable For You?
With plastics, there are three main categories of consideration: The type of plastic; The specific polymer; and The colour. Corex plastic suppliers have a wide range of plastics and polymers that can be used for your project. From thermoplastics (such as ABS) to thermosets (such as fibreglass), you’ll need to decide which type of plastic is best suited to your particular project. For example, depending on how heavy-duty you want your object or parts to be, you might choose a harder thermoset over a softer thermoplastic. Similarly, if you’re making an object that doesn’t need to be particularly light or waterproof, choosing a soft PVC over another material will allow you more design flexibility in shaping different features or components.
Which Plastics Are Best For Environmentally Friendly Projects?
There are a number of different plastics that are recommended for environmentally friendly projects. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to know what to look for in order to choose the right one. First and foremost, if you are looking to keep things lightweight and compact, then you will want to avoid all steel. There is an alternative available called composite plastic lumber that is not only strong but also very light in weight as well; however, there can be confusion between what manufacturers call composite and plastic lumber. The best advice is to speak with experts at corex plastic suppliers about what options are best for your project.
When Should I Use Recycled Materials?
For a small project, or if you need high-performance plastic, always use high-quality plastic. However, sometimes you can save money by using recycled materials. The corex plastic suppliers recommend looking at these factors when making your decision: the size of your project, cost of new material vs. recycled material and environmental impact of using recycled material.
Conclusion
Some plastics are perfect for certain types of applications, and others can’t be used at all. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. To help you choose wisely, make sure to take into account both their physical properties (such as weight, thickness, material type) and what you’ll be using them for. Above all else, always ask yourself: Does it feel right? If it does, then choose it.