TABLE OF CONTENTS Plastic materials are derived mainly from petroleum products. The types, trade names, and compositions of the various modern plastics form a long list, with more being developed as required to meet specific design and application needs in industry.
A thermoplastic is a plastic in which the finished molded part may be remelted for remolding. A thermoset plastic is a plastic in which the chemical reaction cannot be reversed, thus allowing the part to be cast only once. Thermoplastics are extruded, injection-molded, and cast in dies. Thermoset plastics usually are compression-molded. Some of the thermoplastics are also formulated for thermoset applications, such as the urethanes. Table 4.56 lists the common trade names, suppliers, SAE symbols, and plastic "family" names for most plastics.
| Common/trade name | Supplier | SAE symbol | Plastic "family" name |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | Generic Name | ABS | Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene |
| Absafil | Wilson Fiberfil International | ABS | Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene |
| Acetal | Generic Name | POM | Polyoxymethylene: polyformaldehyde |
| Aclar | Ausimont | PCTFE | Polychlorotrifluoroethylene |
| Acrylic | Generic Name | PMMA | Poly (methyl methacrylate) |
| Acrylite | Cyro Industries | PMMA | Poly (methyl methacrylate) "acrylic" |
| Adiprane | Uniroyal Inc. | PUR | Polyurethane, thermoset (unsaturated) |
| Alathon | E.I. Dupont de Nemours & Co. | PE | Polyethylene |
| Alton | International Polymers | PPS + PTFE | Polyphenylene sulfide + polytetrafluoroethylene |
| Ampol | American Polymers Inc. | CA | Cellulose acetate |
| Andrez | Unknown | SB | Styrene-butadiene |
| Apex | Teknor Apex Co. | PVC | Poly (vinyl chloride) |
| Araldrite | Ciba-Geigy Corp. | EP | Epoxide: epoxy |
| Aramid | Generic Name | PARA | Polyarylamid (polyaramide) |
| Ardel | Union Carbide Corp. | PAT | Polyester, thermoplastic "polyarylate" |
| Arloy | Arco Chemical Co. | PC + SMA | Polycarbonate + styrene... |
