Definitions of Plastic Resins; Part 1
Acetal
An engineering thermoplastic produced by the polymerization of purified formaldehyde [CH2O] into both homopolymer and copolymer types. Typical applications are found in consumer products, automotive parts, and industrial machinery parts. Bonding or painting this material requires plasma treatment.
Acrylics
A family of thermoplastic resins of acrylic esters [CH2CHCOOR] or methacrylic esters [CH2C(CH3)COOR]. The acrylates may be methyl, ethyl, butyl, or 2-ethylhexyl. Usual methacrylates are the methyl, ethyl, butyl, laural and stearyl. Typical applications are found in lighting fixtures, glazing and automotive parts. Bonding or painting this material can be accomplished with solvents or plasma treatments. Solvent bonding may be prohibited in some areas, in this case plasma treatment is necessary.
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)
A class of thermoplastic terpolymers including a range of resins, all prepared with usually more than 50% styrene [C6H5CHCH2] and varying amounts of acrylonitrile [CH2CHCN] and butadiene [CH2CHCHCH2]. The three components are combined by a variety of methods involving polymerization, graft copolymerization, physical mixtures and combinations thereof. Typical applications are found in appliances, automotive parts, pipe, business machine and telephone components. Bonding or painting this material can be accomplished with solvent or plasma treatments.
Alkyds (Thermosets)
Thermosetting unsaturated polyester resins produced by reacting an organic alcohol with an organic acid, dissolved in and reacted with unsaturated monomers such as styrene [C6H5CHCH2], diallyl phthalate [C6H4(COOCH2CHCH2)2], diacetone acrylamide [CH3COCH2C(CH3)2CHCHCONH2] or vinyl toluene [CH2CHC6H4CH2]. Typical applications are found in electrical uses, automotive parts, and as coatings. Most can be bonded with epoxies or nitrile-phenolic adhesives. Painting this material usually requires plasma treatment.
Cellulosics
A family of thermoplastic resins manufactured by chemical modification of cellulose [(C6H10O5)n]. Included are: cellophane—regenerated cellulose made by mixing cellulose xanthate [ROCSSH] with a dilute sodium hydroxide [NaOH] solution to form a viscose, then extruding the viscose into an acid bath for regeneration; cellulose acetate—an acetic acid ester [CH3COOC2H5] of cellulose; cellulose acetate butyrate—a mixed ester produced by treating fibrous cellulose with butyric acid [CH3CH2CH2COOH], butyric anhydride [(CH3CH2CH2CO)2O], acetic acid [CH3COOH] and acetic anhydride [(CH3CO)2O] in the presence of sulfuric acid [H2SO4]; cellulose propionate— formed by treating fibrous cellulose with propionic acid [CH3CH2CO2H] and acetic acid and anhydrides in the presence of sulfuric acid; cellulose nitrate—made by treating fibrous cellulosic materials with a mixture of nitric [HNO3] and sulfuric acids. Typical applications are found in packaging, consumer products, and automotive parts. This material can be bonded or painted using solvents, but plasma treatment with most standard adhesives also works very well and is a more “green” approach.
Coumarone-Indene
Thermoplastic resin obtained by heating mixtures of coumarone [C8H6O] and indene [C6H4CH2CHCH] with sulfuric acid [H2SO4] to promote polymerization. These resins have no commercial applications when used alone. They are used primarily as processing aids, extenders and plasticizers with other resins in asphalt floor tile. There is no hope bonding this material.
Stand-by for part 2… If you have more questions, Ask The Experts – they know a thing or two. Or surf the TriStar site to learn more yourself!
Tags: Bonding, definition, green treatment, Plastic Resins, structure
