Engineered plastics Poly /nylon

The forecasts made in 1985 (77) of 8—8.5% worldwide aimual growth have not materialized. The 2 x lOg + /yr engineering plastic production reported for 1985—1986 has remained fairly constant. Whereas some resins such as PET, nylon-6, and nylon-6,6 have continued to experience growth, other resins such as poly(phenylene oxide) have experienced downturns. This is due to successhil inroads from traditional materials (wood, glass, ceramics, and metals) which are experiencing a rebound in appHcations driven by new technology and antiplastics environmental concerns. Also, recycling is likely to impact production of all plastics. 

Nylon, polyacetal, polycarbonates, poly(2,6-dimethyl)phenylene oxide (PPO), polyimides, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene sulfones, polyaryl sulfones, polyalkylene phthalates, and polyarylether ketones (PEEK) are stiff high-melting polymers which are classified as engineering plastics. The formulas for the repeating units of some of these engineering plastics are shown in Figure 1.15. 

Heat deflection temperature for glass fiber reinforced engineering plastics over 500 K Poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), Nylon 6,6, poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(butylene terephthalate)... 

Fig. 20. FCP rates vs AK for several engineering plastics and metal alloys (39). A, LDPE B, epoxy C, PMMA D, polysulfone E, polystyrene F, PVC G, pol3Kphenylene oxide) H, polycarbonate I, nylon-6,6 J, HI-nylon-6,6 K, poly(vinylidene fluoride) L, acetal resins M, 2219-T851 aluminum alloy N, 300M steel alloy.

Homopolymers derived from MDI and azelaic acid are semicrystalline engineering plastics with a Tg of 135°C and a Tm of 290°C (88). Copoljrmers of MDI with azelaic acid, containing 20-30 mol% of adipic acid show a eutectic Tm of approximately 240°C. These amorphous or slightly crystalline copolymers have mechanical properties comparable to transparent nylons or polycarbonates. Although injection molded samples are transparent, they will crystallize and turn opaque. Copolyamides derived from MDI and aromatic dicarboxylic acids are more difficult to prepare. Because of the very high Tm (420°C) of the isophthalic acid/MDI block it was necessary to prevent the formation of any appreciable ciystalline blocks, which was accomplished by prereacting a portion of the isophthalic acid (15-20 mol%) with 2,4-TDI. In this manner crystallization of the isophthalic acid/MDI blocks was surpressed (89). Thus, copolyamides containing IPA/azelaic acid (50 50) are obtained with thermal and mechanical properties similar to poly-sulfone. 

The most important chain-growth polymers are polyolefins and other vinyl polymers. Examples of the former are polyethylene, and polypropylene, and examples of the latter are poly(vinyl chloride), polystyrene, poly(vinyl alcohol), polyacrylonitrile, and poly(methyl acrylates). The most common stepwise reactions are condensation polymerizations. Polyamides, such as nylon 6-6, which is poly(hexamethylene adipamide), and polyesters, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate), are the most important commercial condensation polymers. These polymers were originally developed for use in fiber manufacture because of their high melting points but are now used also as thermoplastics. Polycarbonate is an engineering plastic that is made from bisphenol A and phosgene by a stepwise reaction. 

Since the painting aspect is not the prime reason for the selection it follows that the type of paint and the method of application must be suited to the plastic further, the properties that make a material useful in engineering often also make it harder to paint satisfactorily. As an indication, generally it is easier to paint ABS and polycarbonate than nylon, and easier to paint nylon than polyethylene or polypropylene. Other plastics that can give problems in painting include acetal (polyformaldehyde) and poly(phenylene oxide). 

The 1950s also saw the development of two families of plastics — acetal and polycarbonates. Together with nylon, phenoxy, polyimide, poly(phenylene oxide), and polysulfone they belong to the group of plastics known as the engineering thermoplastics. They have outstanding impact strength and thermal and dimensional stability — properties that place them in direct competition with more conventional materials like metals. 

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