Common types of plastics

u1- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

uOneof the plastics you are most likely to come into physical contact with on adaily basis,depending on how it is made PET can be completely rigid or flexible, andbecause of its molecular construction it is impact, chemical and weatherresistant and a terrific water and gas barrier.

u2- High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

uIncrediblystrong considering its density, HDPE is a solid material that can tolerate hightemperatures and strong chemicals. One of the reasons that HDPE is used soregularly is that it can be recycled in many different ways andtherefore converted into many different things.

u3- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

uCosteffective to produce and highly resilient to chemical and biological damage,PVC is easy to work with and mould intoshapes; making it an extremely practical material. In terms of properties, PVCis one of the most versatile. It can be used to create rigid, lightweightsheets, like Foamex, but it can also be used to make fauxleather materialslike leatherette and pleather.

u4- Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

uAtgeneral living temperatures LDPE is a highly nonreactive material, whichexplains why it has become one of the most common plastics in use atthe moment. Itcan withstand temperatures approaching 100°C, and though it is not as strong asHDPE (its highdensitycounterpart), it is certainly more resilient.

u5- Polypropylene (PP)

uStrongand flexible, polypropylene is a very hard wearingplastic that, when melted, is one of the most effective materials for injectionmoulding.Having said that, it has quite a high tolerance to high temperatures, relativeto other plastics, and isconsidered to bea food safe material.

u6- Polystyrene (PS)

uPolystyreneis the Styrofoam we all commonly used for food containers, egg cartons,disposable cups and bowls, packaging, and also bike helmet. When exposed with hot andoily food, PS could leach styrene that is considered as brain and nervoussystem toxicant, it could also affect genes, lungs, liver, and immune system.On top of allofthose risks, PS has a low recycling rate.

u7 - Other

uNumber7 is for all plastics other than those identified by number 16 andalsoplastics that may be layered or mixed with other types of plastics, such asbioplastics. Polycarbonate (PC) is the most common plastic in this category,isn’t used as much in recent years due to it being associated with bisphenol A(BPA).   PC is also known by various name: Lexan, Makrolon, andMakroclear.Ironically, PC is typically used for baby bottles, sippy cups, water bottles,water gallon, metal food can liner,   ketchup container, and dentalsealants. Due to its toxicity, several countries have banned the use of PC forbaby bottles and infant formula packaging.