Engineering plastics, growth

Butanediol. 1,4-Butanediol [110-63-4] made from formaldehyde and acetylene, is a significant market for formaldehyde representing 11% of its demand (115). It is used to produce tetrahydrofuran (THF), which is used for polyurethane elastomers y-butyrolactone, which is used to make various pyrroHdinone derivatives poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), which is an engineering plastic and polyurethanes. Formaldehyde growth in the acetylenic chemicals market is threatened by alternative processes to produce 1,4-butanediol not requiring formaldehyde as a raw material (140) (see Acetylene-derived chemicals). 

Nonionic surfactants and phenoUc resins based on alkylphenols are mature markets and only moderate growth in these derivatives is expected. Concerns over the biodegradabiUty and toxicity of these alkylphenol derivatives to aquatic species may limit their use in the future. The use of alkylphenols in the production of both polymer additives and monomers for engineering plastics is expected to show above average growth as plastics continue to replace traditional building materials. 

Phenolics are consumed at roughly half the volume of PVC, and all other plastics are consumed in low volume quantities, mosdy in single apphcation niches, unlike workhorse resins such as PVC, phenoHc, urea—melamine, and polyurethane. More expensive engineering resins have a very limited role in the building materials sector except where specific value-added properties for a premium are justified. Except for the potential role of recycled engineering plastics in certain appHcations, the competitive nature of this market and the emphasis placed on end use economics indicates that commodity plastics will continue to dominate in consumption. The apphcation content of each resin type is noted in Table 2. Comparative prices can be seen in Table 5. The most dynamic growth among important sector resins has been seen with phenoHc, acryUc, polyurethane, LLDPE/LDPE, PVC, and polystyrene. 

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. 

Applications of linear elastic fracture mechanics (primarily) to the brittle fracture of solid polymers is discussed by Professor Williams. For those not versed in the theory of fracture mechanics, this paper should serve as an excellent introduction to the subject. The basic theory is developed and several variants are then introduced to deal with weak time dependence in solid polymers. Previously unpublished calculations on failure times and craze growth are presented. Within the framework of brittle fracture mechanics and testing this paper provides for a systematic approach to the faOure of engineering plastics. 

Among these processes, only the Hock process and the toluene oxidation are important industrially. The other processes were discarded for economic reasons. In the Hock process acetone is formed as a by-product. This has not, however, hindered the expansion of this process, because there is a market for acetone. New plants predominantly use the cumene process. More than 95% of the 4,691,000 my (m = metric tonnes) consumed is produced by the cumene peroxidation process. Phenol s consumption growth rate of 3% is primarily based on its use in engineering plastics such as polycarbonates, polyetherimide and poly(phenylene oxide), and epoxy resins for the electronic industry. The Mitsui Company is, for instance, the world s second largest producer of phenol. Japan s production... 

The engineering thermoplastics should reach 2,000 million lb in sales by 1988 and will provide an important part of the economic growth of the plastic industry because they are able to compete with metals better than the commodity plastics. Growth and profitability for engineering plastics will continue to be above that of the commodity plastics despite increasing entries. 

Linear aliphatic chols are widely used as raw materials for polymers. Polymers synthesized from even-carbon diols tend to show excellent polymer properties. 1,4-Butanediol is very important as raw material for various polymers such as urethanes and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), which is an engineering plastic. Since Celanese Corporation described a PBT resin in 1970, the demand for PBT resin, which is mainly used for automotive, electrical, and electronic equipment parts, has been expanding rapidly [1]. THF is also a major 1,4-butanediol derivative as a raw material for poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol used for artificial leather and elastic fibers in addition to being a high-performance solvent. Significant growth in demand for these 1,4-butanediol derivatives is expected in Asia, primarily in China. 

HALS will experience the strongest growth due to their widespread use in polyolefins and their cost-effectiveness and performance. Benzotriazoles and benzophenones, however, are more effective than HALS in vinyl and engineering plastics. 

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