Special purpose plastics

Special purpose plastics:

- Polymetyl methacrylate (PMMA): Contact lenses, glazing (best known in this form by its various trade names around the world, e.g., Perspex, Oroglas, Plexiglas), aglets, fluoroscent light diffusers, rear light covers for vehicles.

- Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, trade name Teflon): Heat resistant, low friction coatings, used in things like non stick surfaces for frying pans, plumber's tape and water slides.

- Polyethereketone (PEEK) (Polyetherketone): Strong, chemical- and heat resistant thermoplastic, biocompatibility allows for use in medical implant applications, aerospace mouldings. One of the most expensive commersial polymers.

- Polyetherimide (PEI) (Ultem): A high temperature, chemically stable polymer that does not crystallize.

- Phenolics (PF) or (Phenol formaldehydes): High modulus, relatively heat resistant, and excellent fire resistant polymer. Used for insulating parts in electrical fixtures, paper laminated products (e.g. "Formica"), thermally insulation foams. It is a thermosetting plastic, with the familiar trade name Bakelite, that can be moulded by heat and pressure when mixed with a filler like wood flour or can be cast in its unfilled liquid form or cast as foam, e.g. "Oasis". Problems include the probability of mouldings naturally being dark colours (red,green,brown), and as thermoset difficult to recycle.

- Urea formaldehyde (UF): One of the aminoplasts and used as a multi colorable alternative to Phenolics. Used as a wood adhesive (for plywood, chipboard, hardboard) and electrical switch housing.

- Melamine formaldehde (MF): One of the aminoplasts, and used as a multi colorable alternative to phenolics, for instance in mouldings (e.g. break resistance alternatives to ceramic cups, plates and bowls for children) and the decorated top surface layer of the paper laminates (e.g."Formica").

- Polyactic acid: A biodegradble, thermoplastic, found converted into variety of aliphatic polyesters derived from lactic acid which in turn can be made by fermentation of various argricultural products such as corn starch, once made from diary products.

- Plastarch material: Biodegradable and heat resistant, thermoplastic composed of modified corn starch.