Polystyrene is a widely used plastic polymer in various industries, and its types and applications are examined in detail. In the following, we will examine some types of polystyrene and its uses.
Types of polystyrene
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Transparency, excellent toughness, thermal stability and very good dimensional stability make polycarbonate one of the most widely used engineering thermoplastics. With its low density, this polymer is considered a lightweight material, so it is an excellent substitute for glass. In addition to its mechanical properties, it is widely used due to its compatibility with the environment and its recyclability. 3D printer filament, lights and other car parts, medical lenses and medical products, compact discs, unbreakable glasses, electrical appliances and helmets are some of the common uses of polycarbonate.
Polycarbonate is made by compression polymerization method from the combination of bisphenol A and phosgene. This plastic belongs to the polyester family.
Polycarbonate is amorphous, as a result, it shows excellent mechanical properties and high dimensional stability. Polycarbonate maintains its toughness between -20°C and 140°C and is practically unbreakable. Polycarbonate is stable up to a temperature of 135 degrees and is rated as slow burning. This plastic is also known as a good electrical insulator. Polycarbonate also shows good abrasion resistance.
Despite the many advantages of polycarbonate, it also has limitations. For example, it shows low resistance against some chemical substances such as alkyls or halogenated hydrocarbons. One of the most important characteristics of polycarbonate is its sensitivity to cracks, despite the high impact resistance of this thermoplastic, it will break easily if a crack, even if it is small, is formed. Another weakness of this polymer is yellowing and discoloration when exposed to ultraviolet radiation for a long time. Of course, these shortcomings can be overcome by combining other thermoplastics or polymer additives.
Conclusion
Toughness, transparency, thermal and chemical stability, as well as biocompatibility have made polycarbonate a popular raw material for various uses. This thermoplastic is used in many fields, including the production of filament for 3D printers, lamps and car parts, medical equipment and shatterproof glass. This polymer is sensitive to ultraviolet rays and cracking, and these are the weak points of this thermoplastic, although it is possible to overcome the shortcomings of polycarbonate by using polymer additives and making compounds.
