At Malvern Plastics Group, many services are provided for these main resins: polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, and polyvinyl chloride. Malvern Plastics Group can recycle, reprocess, compound, distribute, manufacture, import and export all types of plastics. Our manufacturing capabilities are wide-ranging and are completed domestically and also internationally. For all your needs dealing with these plastics and more
contact Malvern Plastics Group.
Polyethylene (PE)
Polyethylene is an inexpensive and versatile polymer with numerous applications. Also called polyethene, it is a type of polymer classified as a thermoplastic. Meaning it can be melted into a liquid and remolded as it returns to a solid state. Polyethylene is chemically synthesized from molecules that contain long chains of ethylene, a monomer that provides the ability to double bond with other carbon-based monomers to form polymers. The first laboratory creation of polyethylene occurred in 1898 by accident. Polyethylene became the primary source of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) production in 1939.
Polyethylene is essential to the economic health of the plastics industry; most consumers recognize the role it plays in everyday life. This type of plastic is found in many ordinary household items such as food wrap, shampoo bottles, milk containers, toys, garbage bags and the common plastic shopping bag. Polyethylene is also present in numerous other products that contain plastic components. For instance, it is used to manufacture artificial knee and hip replacement parts, bulletproof vests, and even glassy flooring for ice skating rinks.
This plastic can be recycled. Polyethylene is not considered biodegradable, as it takes several centuries until it is efficiently degraded. Adhesives and solvents are rarely used with polyethylene because it is non-polar and has a high resistance to solvents. Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) are feasible if the surface is flame treated or corona treated; however, the bond is relatively weak.
To learn more about and order this polymer contact MalvernPlasticsGroup.com.
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene is an inexpensive plastic polymer with a chemical designation of C3H6. It has an endless number of different uses, both in industry and in consumer goods. It can be used both as a structural plastic and as a fiber. Polypropylene is not as sturdy as polyethylene, but it has benefits that make it the better choice in some situations. One of these situations is creating hinges from a plastic, such as a plastic lid on a travel mug. Over time, plastics fatigue from the repetitive stress of being opened and shut, polypropylene is very resistant to this sort of stress. Polypropylene is often used for food containers, particularly those that need to be dishwasher safe. The melting point of polypropylene is very high compared to many other plastics, at 320°F (160°C), which means that the hot water used when washing dishes will not cause polypropylene dishware to warp. Another interesting use for polypropylene is it uses in the repair of a hernia operations to protect the body from new hernias in the same location. A small patch of the material is placed over the spot of the hernia, below the skin, and is painless and is rarely, if ever, rejected by the body. Whether used for industrial molds, rugged currency, car parts, or Tupperware, polypropylene is one of the materials the world is literally built around.
Research is ongoing with polypropylene, as makers experiment with different methods for synthesizing it. Some of these experiments yield the promise of exciting new types of polypropylene, with new consistencies and a different feel from the fairly rigid version we are all used to. These new elastic versions of polypropylene are very rubbery, making them even more resistant to shattering and opening up many different uses for an already pervasive plastic.
To purchase polypropylene for your manufacturing needs contact MalvernPlasticsGroup.com.
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate is a versatile, tough plastic used for a variety of applications, from bulletproof windows to compact disks (CDs). Compact disks (CDs) and digital versatile discs (DVDs) are perhaps the most readily recognized examples of polycarbonate. Bulletproof windows and enclosures as seen inside banks or at a drive-through are often made of polycarbonate. Clear Polycarbonate (PC) is a colorless polymer which makes it useful in optical applications because of its excellent transparency, durability, and high infraction index. Polycarbonate lenses can be far thinner than glass or conventional plastic, making polycarbonate the ideal material for heavy prescriptions. The lenses can also be polarized to block glare, and their high impact resistance makes them perfect for sports. Polycarbonate is also used in the electronics industry. Apple’s original iMac featured polycarbonate mixed with clear colors for a transparent computer case. Many cell phones, pagers, and laptops also use clear or opaque polycarbonate in their casings.
The main advantage of polycarbonate over other types of plastic is unbeatable strength combined with light weight. While acrylic is 17% stronger than glass, polycarbonate is nearly unbreakable. Polycarbonate is just one-third the weight of acrylic, or one-sixth as heavy as glass. This material is tough and stable. It can resist a high temperature of 280°F and a low temperature of -40°F. It is stain resistant and non-toxic.
Questions or comments about polycarbonate or to order contact MalvernPlasticsGroup.com.
Polyvinyl chloride (pvc)
Polyvinyl chloride, better known as PVC or vinyl, is an inexpensive plastic so versatile it has become one of the most widely used polymers in the world. The list of products made from polyvinyl chloride is extensive, ranging from phonograph records to drainage and portable piping, water bottles, cling film, credit cards and toys. More uses include window frames, rain gutters, wall paneling, doors, wallpapers, flooring, garden furniture, binders and even pens. It's hard to turn anywhere without seeing some form of this plastic. Roughly half of the world's polyvinyl chloride resin manufactured annually is used for producing pipes for various municipal and industrial applications. Its light weight, high strength, and low reactivity make it particularly well-suited to this purpose. In addition, PVC pipes can be fused together using various solvent cements, or heat-fused (butt-fusion process, similar to joining HDPE pipe), creating permanent joints that are virtually impervious to leakage.
This polymer is usually plasticized with low or medium molecular weight materials such as dioctyl phthalate, trioctyl phosphate, and poly (propylene glycol) esters. The properties can be finely tuned from rigid to soft and flexible by varying the plasticizer content from a few percent to more than 60%.
To order polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for your manufacturing needs contact MalvernPlasticsGroup.com.
