Even though plastic
materials have
been viewed negatively, particularly by environmentalists, it remains to be one
of the most commonly used components in the make-up of the products human use
in their everyday life. All you need to do is look around you and notice all
the objects in your surroundings to learn that a number of them are in fact made
of plastic.
However, there are more to
them than meets the eye, especially since there are several kinds of plastics
that people need to be taking note of. Here are a few of them, although you may
already be aware of them once you learn what materials they are being used in:
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene’s
characteristics are flexible yet strong. In fact, this is one kind of plastic
that is very hard, but could easily be molded into whatever shape or form,
making it as a very flexible material to use to make whatever product you have
in mind. It is also quite tolerant of high temperatures, compared to other
types of plastics. The good thing about all of these is that – despite undergoing
drastic changes – polypropylene is one of the safest materials to contain your
food in.
Found in:
Packing tape, lunch boxes, kettles, chip bags, straws, bottle caps, food
containers, and clothing.
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Low Density Polyethylene is
one of the strongest plastic materials around. Many manufacturers prefer it
over others of its kind because it could withstand high temperatures, which
could otherwise melt other plastics. Apart from that, it is also known for
being resilient.
Found in:
Laundry bags, bin-bags, playground fixtures, hardware casings (computer),
protective shells, drink cartons, drink holders, lids, machine parts, work
surfaces, containers, and trays.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl Chloride is a
reliable material, especially if you are looking to create objects that are
highly durable from biological and chemical damage. Compared to other plastics,
this is a very practical substance—not only that, it is also very versatile since
it can be used in pleather, leatherette, and Foamex.
Found in:
Water bottles, solution containers, cables, vinyl records, flooring, sewage and
water pipes, tubing, medical containers, clothing, furniture, and signage.
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
HDPE plastics are very
strong. In fact, it can tolerate strong chemicals and high temperature. This is
one of the reasons why it is often seen in the different products that we use
every day. It is not only durable; it is also highly recyclable—which is very
agreeable to many environmentalists.
Found in:
Wood-plastic composites, faux-wood planks, helmets, fuel tanks found in
vehicles, bottle caps, pipes, insulation, freezer bags, shopping bags, soap
containers, and storage for food and drinks.
Polethylene Terephthalate (PET)
PET is probably the most
common plastic you will encounter. Depending on how it was manufactured, a
product made from PET could be flexible or completely rigid. It is also weather
and chemical resistant as well as it could serve as a barrier against water and
gas.
Found in:
First-aid blankets, food trays, packaging trays, and bottles used to contain
cooking oil, water, and soft drinks.
Key Takeaway
As you can see, these are
the products made of plastic that we use daily—whether we are aware of it or
not. The next time you pick something up, you might want to look into what it
is made out of.
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