There are 7 types of plastics that are mostly used for our everyday things! What are they? Let’s find out here!

From everyday essentials like televisions and computers to cars, houses, and refrigerators, plastic materials are everywhere, silently enhancing our lives.

But do you know that not all plastics are the same? Manufacturers employ a diverse array of plastic materials, each with distinct properties to fulfill specific functions.

Types of Plastics

1. Polycarbonate (PC)

Polycarbonate is one of the best plastic’s types around. With a remarkable toughness and clarity, it can be 250 times stronger than the glass and 30 times that of acrylic.

This transparent material is the best in both workability and formability. Unlike its glass and acrylic counterparts, polycarbonate sheets can be readily cut or cold-formed on-site, eliminating the need for prefabrication.

Its impressive strength and impact resistance make it a versatile choice, with applications ranging from greenhouses and DVDs to sunglasses and even police riot gear.

2. Polyethylene (PE)

Polyethylene is the most common plastic used for our everyday objects and can be produced in varying densities.

Also, with different density of polyethylene, it can give the final plastic unique physical properties. Thus making polyethylene can be used in a wide variety of products.

There four types of PE that can be determined according to its density, including:

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): Usually used in plastic bags, shopping bags, disposable packaging and many more.
Medium-Density Polyethylene (MDPE): Mostly used in gas pipes, carrier bags, shrink film, etc.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): HDPE plastic sheeting is in products such as plastic bottles, piping for water and sewer, snowboards, boats, and folding chairs.
Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE): Mostly used in military body armor, artificial ice skating rinks and more.

3. Polypropylene (PP)

Also known as thermoplastic polymer, this type of plastic is the second most commonly made plastic in the world.

Being one of the world’s most flexible thermoplastics, polypropylene’s broad use and popularity are indisputable. PP is more flexible than PE, but despite being stronger, PP won’t break with constant strain and still retain its flexibility.

This characteristic of PP makes it the best choice for food containers, automobile components, medical equipment, and laboratory equipment.

And on top of that, PP are widely used because they are affordable, flexible, heat and acid resistant, and long-lasting.

Also Read: “7 Types of Plumbing Pipes“

4. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET)

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is known as one of the most widely used polyester resins in the thermoplastics category.

It has characteristics including resistance to chemicals, water, and even shattering. And on top of that the PET is easily recyclable.

Furthermore, its impressive strength-to-weight ratio makes it a highly versatile material. You’ll find PET daily in a multitude of products, from clothing fibers and food/liquid containers to engineering resins, carbon nanotubes, and much more.

5. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), the third most-produced synthetic plastic, boasts remarkable versatility.

This material can be crafted to be either rigid or flexible, depending on its intended purpose. One popular application of foamed PVC, known as expanded PVC sheets, is in the creation of kiosks, displays, and exhibits.

Rigid PVC, on the other hand, is a common component in construction materials, doors, windows, bottles, and non-food packaging.

By adding plasticizers like phthalates, PVC can be transformed into a softer, more flexible form, ideal for products like plumbing components, electrical cable insulation, clothing, and medical tubing.

Also Read: “4 Types of Irons“

6. Acrylic or Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)

Transparent acrylic is a thermoplastic polymer that is widely utilized in optical equipment and products. It is a lightweight, shatter-resistant substitute for glass. Typically, acrylic is used in sheet form to make items like plexiglass and mirrors.

It is possible to make acrylic, colored, resistant to abrasion, resistant to bullets, resistant to UV rays, non-glaring, anti-static, and many other properties.

Apart from being more versatile and easier to work with than glass and polycarbonate sheeting, acrylic is also seventeen times stronger than glass.

7. Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)

Styrene and acrylonitrile are polymerized with polybutadiene to create ABS, which is strong, flexible, glossy, highly processable, and impact resistant types of plastics.

It can be produced into a wide variety of widthness, with a maximum width of 1600mm and a variety of thicknesses from 200 micrometers to 5mm.

ABS plastic sheeting is used in products like boxes, gauges, protective headgear, luggage, and children’s toys, but it is also used in the automotive and refrigeration industries due to its comparatively low manufacturing cost.

So there you go the 7 types of plastics and you’ll find in your daily objects!

Even with a lot of environmental issues surrounding the use of plastics, we can’t deny that this material is helping us a lot in our daily life.

But, did you know that the use of plastics is strictly regulated in Indonesia? The products that use plastic as its material must undergo a series of tests to determine its safety and quality.

A lot of SNI certificates are issued by the Indonesian government such as the SNI 12-4259-1996 that regulate the use of plastic for glass and many among others.

So, if you’re interested in more of this topic you can check this link to know more about the SNI Certification in Indonesia.