Specialty plastics polysulfone

As of 1992, the first specialty platable plastic, acrylonitrile—butadiene—styrene (ABS) terpolymer (see Acrylonitrile polymers, abs resins), is used in over 90% of POP applications. Other platable plastics include poly(phenylene ether) (see Polyethers), nylon (see Polyamides), polysulfone (see Polymers containing sulfur), polypropylene, polycarbonate, phenolics (see Pphenolic resins), polycarbonate—ABS alloys, polyesters (qv), foamed polystyrene (see Styrene plastics), and other foamed plastics (qv). 

Polypropylene is generally used as oriented polypropylene. Polyvinyl chloride film is commonly used in plasticized form. Polyvinylidene chloride is often known as Saran and is generally used in copolymer form with acrylonitrile. Polyethylene terephthalate is a thermoplastic polyester. Polystyrene is sometimes used in biaxially oriented form. Polycarbonates, polysulfones, polyether sulfones, poly-imides, polyetherimides, and several fluoropolymers are also used for specialty applications. 

Working up the pyramid are the highly developed markets for both engineering plastics, such as polycarbonates and polysulfones, and specialty polymers, such as customized water-soluble copolymers, used in water purification, secondary oil recovery, personal care, etc. They have higher performance specifications than commodity plastics and are under more strict regulations. 

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