5 Types of Plastic and Their Unique Properties

Plastic is an incredibly versatile material, but did you know that there are over 8,000 different types of plastic? Let's take a closer look at five of the most common types and their unique properties.

Polyethylene, for example, is a type of plastic that's incredibly durable and resistant to scratches. It's often used in packaging materials like bags and containers.

Polypropylene is another type of plastic that's known for its flexibility and resistance to heat. It's commonly used in making containers for hot beverages.

Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, is a type of plastic that's highly resistant to corrosion and chemicals. It's often used in making pipes and vinyl records.

Polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, is a type of plastic that's lightweight and shatter-resistant. It's commonly used in making water bottles and soda cans.

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There are 7 main types of plastic, each with its own unique characteristics and uses. Let's take a look at the most common ones.

Recyclable Plastics

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is widely used for packaging purposes due to its excellent clarity, strength, and barrier properties. It is 100% recyclable, and in the US, 29.2% of PET is recycled.

Common Types of Plastic

Here are the most common types of plastic, along with their recyclability and examples of use:

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is one of the most widely used plastics globally. It's a type of plastic that can be completely rigid or flexible, depending on how it's made.

PET is impact, chemical, and weather resistant, making it a great water and gas barrier. This property makes it an ideal material for packaging and bottling.

You're likely to come into contact with PET on a daily basis, especially if you drink carbonated soft drinks or bottled water. In fact, PET is used to package 70% of these types of drinks.

PET has good barrier properties that help protect food contents from external factors like moisture and air. This is why it's commonly used for packaging and bottling.

Here are some common uses of PET:

PET is 100% recyclable, and in the US, 29.2% of PET is recycled. This is a great step towards reducing waste and conserving natural resources.

Here's an interesting read: Pp vs Pet Plastic

Polypropylene (PP) is a versatile plastic that's used in a wide range of applications. It's a strong and flexible material that's perfect for injection moulding.

Polypropylene can withstand high temperatures, which makes it ideal for food containers and other hot food packaging. It's also used in surgical tools and supplies, where its durability and resistance to heat are essential.

One of the best things about polypropylene is that it's widely recycled. Many recycling programs accept PP, and its chemical structure allows it to maintain its quality through multiple recycling cycles without significant degradation.

Polypropylene is also a big presence in the automotive industry, where it's used to produce bumpers and interiors. Its heat-resistance and durability make it an ideal material for these applications.

If polypropylene ends up in landfills and isn't properly recycled, it can take around 20-30 years to decompose. This process can release harmful toxins into the environment, including cadmium and lead.

Polypropylene is considered a safer plastic due to its lower environmental impact. It's also a food-safe material, which makes it a popular choice for packaging and containers.

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Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a versatile plastic used in various applications, including pipes, cables, and vinyl records. PVC is known for its durability and weather-resistant properties.

PVC is often mixed with additives like pigments and stabilizers, which can cause contamination during recycling. This makes the recycling process challenging.

PVC is a very durable material, resistant to wear and tear. Its rigid appearance is a notable characteristic.

PVC can release harmful gasses when incinerated, making proper disposal a concern.

Polystyrene (PS) is a rigid and lightweight plastic commonly used in various products. It's often used for foam insulation in housing and as packaging materials.

You might have seen polystyrene in the form of packing peanuts, DVD cases, or egg cartons before. It usually comes in a white or clear color.

Polystyrene is difficult to recycle due to its high level of contamination and porous makeup. This makes it hard to clean, especially when used in food packaging.

EPS, or expanded polystyrene, is a type of polystyrene that's particularly problematic. It's non-biodegradable and accounts for 17.2% of all plastics in surface marine waters.

Here are some common products made from polystyrene:

Expanded polystyrene, also known as Styrofoam, is a type of polystyrene that's commonly used. However, it's not easily recyclable and can persist in the environment for a long time.

For your interest: High Impact Polystyrene

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) is a type of plastic that's been around since 1954.

ABS plastic is known for its unique combination of hardness, toughness, and resistance to heat and chemicals.

It's widely used in the automotive industry for various components.

ABS plastic is also used in the electronics industry, where it's valued for its durability and resistance to heat.

In the home appliance industry, ABS plastic is used for parts that need to withstand high temperatures and chemical exposure.

ABS plastic's versatility makes it a popular choice for many applications.

Ultra-High Molecular Weight plastics are incredibly strong and resistant to wear and tear. UHMWPE, a type of polyethylene, has a density of 0.925 – 0.95 g/cm³.

Its smooth texture makes it self-lubricating, reducing friction and wear. This property is especially useful in applications like conveyor belts.

UHMWPE is often formulated into sheeting, rods, tubes, and fibers. These versatile forms make it suitable for a wide range of uses.

It's used to make climbing ropes, sailing cords, and even ballistic fibers for military body armor. This level of strength and durability is impressive.

Fishing lines and cut-resistant apparel also rely on UHMWPE's exceptional abrasion resistance. Its ability to withstand rough handling is a significant advantage.

PETG is a type of thermoplastic polyester that is known for its flexibility and impact resistance. It's also a relatively new material, first introduced in the 1990s.

PETG is often used in 3D printing due to its low shrinkage and warping properties, making it ideal for printing complex geometries. In fact, it's one of the most popular materials used in FFF/FDM 3D printing.

PETG has a high melting point, ranging from 240°C to 260°C, which makes it suitable for printing with a wide range of temperatures. This also means it can be used to print parts with intricate details.

PETG is also a biodegradable material, which is a significant advantage over other types of plastics. However, it's worth noting that it's not as biodegradable as some other types of plastics, such as PLA.

PETG is often used in packaging, medical devices, and consumer products due to its transparency, impact resistance, and chemical resistance.

LDPE has a density of 0.910 to 0.940 g/cm³.

HDPE has a density of 0.930 to 0.970 g/cm³, which is slightly higher than LDPE.

This difference in density affects the plastics' uses, with LDPE being used for flexible applications like plastic films and bags.

A unique perspective: High Density Polyethylene Manufacturers

High Density plastics are incredibly strong considering their density. They can tolerate high temperatures and strong chemicals, making them a popular choice for various applications.

Broaden your view: High Density Polyethylene Sheet

HDPE is often used for containers that hold cleaning solutions and soaps. It's also used for food and drink storage, which is a testament to its ability to withstand harsh chemicals.

HDPE can be recycled in many different ways and converted into various products. This makes it a great option for environmentally conscious consumers.

Shopping bags and freezer bags are common household items made from HDPE. They're also used for pipes, insulation, and bottle caps.

Vehicle fuel tanks and protective helmets are just a few examples of HDPE's durability. It's even used to make faux-wood planks and recycled wood-plastic composites.

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LDPE is a highly non-reactive material that can withstand temperatures approaching 100°C. It's no wonder it's one of the most common plastics in use today.

Common uses of LDPE include trays, containers, work surfaces, machine parts, and even playground fixtures like slides.

LDPE has a density of 0.910 to 0.940 g/cm³, making it soft and flexible.

Expand your knowledge: Ldpe Plastic Bags

You might be surprised to know that LDPE is also used to manufacture plastic films and bags, cardboard coatings, and cable insulation.

This plastic is thinner and more flexible than its high-density counterpart, and you might recognize it in plastic bags, squeeze bottles, and other lightweight food packaging.

The flexible nature of LDPE actually makes it harder to recycle, partly because these types of products can get caught in the sorting machinery at recycling facilities.

Common uses of LDPE include:

Medium-Density plastics are a type of plastic that's quite versatile.

MDPE, or Medium-Density Polyethylene, has a density of 0.926 to 0.940 g/cm³.

This type of plastic is a solid material that can be processed into either opaque or translucent formulations.

MDPE is commonly used for piping and injection-molded plastic elements.