Thermoplastic is becoming the material of choice for replacing traditional materials such as steel, aluminium and wood, among others. Compared to other traditional materials, thermoplastic has higher strength-to-weight ratios and offers great design flexibility.
If you are planning to replace or install or do any thermoplastic service but you don’t have expertise on how to do it, then you might consider taking the help of a thermoplastic company. Before finding the right thermoplastic, it’s always good to learn some vital information about different types of thermoplastic services offered by professional thermoplastic companies.
But before that, you also get advice and support from leading thermoplastic experts.
When it comes to choosing the right thermoplastic, it is important to compare the properties that each material has with requirements you have. The right thermoplastic companies are aware that the customers may not know a lot about thermoplastics but they won’t let that get in the way of making sure you invest in a product that fits your budget and requirements. Choose a company that has years of experience and highly in-depth knowledge and understanding of thermoplastics- and can provide you with expert advice you might require.
Understand how the material is made:
Thermoplastic is defined as a polymer made of binder, pigments, filler, and glass beads. The pigments used in it create the color, glass beads increase retroreflectivity, and filler adds bulk.
You might be thinking what makes the material of thermoplastic tough and flexible, the answer is binder, it helps in creating the bond strength to adhere to the pavement surface while holding the other components together.
Because of their unique properties, these thermoplastic materials can be remolded and recycled without causing any negative effect on the physical properties of the material. This property makes it an ideal material for injection molding.
From consumer goods to medical equipment, thermoplastic materials are used for a wide range of applications. The easiest to process are commodity thermoplastics which are used to manufacture products in high volumes. The commodity thermoplastic is best for applications like packaging, clothing, food and beverages. In contrast, engineered and specialized thermoplastic are used with it to enhance the properties of thermoplastic. These are used for heavier-duty applications like military, aerospace and medical industries.
Why is thermoplastic used in several different industries other than the traditional materials?
The only type of plastic which can be welded is thermoplastic. It can
be molded into the desired shapes when the plastic is heated, the
material becomes a paste or liquid like consistency. Each type of
thermoplastic can withstand reshaping without any damage to the
materials, but each type offers its own characteristics.
Types of thermoplastic:
- Polypropylene is used in a diverse range of products. The sheets are used for packaging and storage boxes and even stationery folders.
- Polystyrene is used in the manufacturing of plastic models of cars, in CD and DVD cases. This is available in various forms plus have differing applications, like product casing and manufacturing of toys.
- PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride is used by the construction industry for roofing sheets as it is a tough and lightweight material that has a high resistance to acids and bases.
Benefits of thermoplastic material:
- As discussed above these material can be molded and recycled without any damage
- These can be molded in any desired shape
- Lightweight with high strength and can be used in place of metal
