How to identify common plastic materials

In today’s fast-paced and highly efficient society, plastic products have become an essential part of daily life. From large enterprises to small businesses, the use of plastic has grown significantly across various industries. Factories and companies are gradually replacing traditional wooden and metal pallets with plastic alternatives such as bottles, cardboards, and storage boxes. In everyday life, people are also increasingly using plastic products to replace older, bulkier items like wooden cabinets. Reusable plastic containers, storage boxes, and other plastic goods have become more accessible and convenient. As the application of plastics continues to expand, it's important to understand what materials they are made from. HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) is a common material used in plastic products. Its chemical name is polystyrene. It is not glossy and doesn’t have the same shine as ABS. It breaks without cracking and has lower strength compared to ABS. The surface is softer than ABS and can be easily scratched with a knife. It burns relatively easily, but not as much as ABS. When burned, it produces an orange flame and thick black smoke. There’s a slight smell, and it can continue burning even after being removed from the flame. GPPS (General Purpose Polystyrene), often referred to as GP material, tends to have issues like surface opacity, trapped air, and uneven texture. It has high transparency but is brittle. Its properties are similar to HIPS, but it is more fragile. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is known for its toughness and durability. However, it can suffer from problems like trapped air, bubbles, color mixing, and surface cracks. The surface is shiny and hard compared to HIPS. It is strong, and when broken, it turns white. It feels smooth to the touch and burns easily, producing a yellow flame, black smoke, and molten droplets with a strong plastic smell. PP (Polypropylene), also known as "100-fold plastic," is slightly softer and less likely to break. It is lightweight and can float on water. It burns easily, with a blue flame and a yellow tip. It gives off a paraffin-like odor and melts into droplets. It is commonly used in food containers due to its safety and flexibility. PE (Polyethylene) is softer than PP and is not easily broken. It floats on water and burns quickly. The flame is blue with a yellow top, and it leaves no smoke. It melts into droplets and has a wax-like smell, which makes it distinct from PP. POM (Polyoxymethylene), also known as "polyacetal" or "Delrin," is sometimes called "steel plastic" due to its rigidity. It is prone to issues like poor adhesion, scorching, and deformation under heat. It is hard, brittle, and easy to break. It burns with a clear blue flame, emits no smoke, and has a strong, pungent odor that can cause tearing. PA (Polyamide), also known as nylon, is known for its high strength and resistance to wear. It can suffer from warping, shrinking, and color mixing. It is difficult to break, especially after being exposed to water. When burned, it produces a blue flame with a yellow top, forms foam, and has a burnt hair smell. It extinguishes itself when removed from the flame. PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate), commonly known as acrylic or plexiglass, is known for its excellent transparency and ease of machining. It is widely used in applications where clarity is important, such as in signage and windows. PC (Polycarbonate) is a tough and transparent material. However, it can have issues like surface dullness, blistering, and trapped gas. It is unbreakable and hard to burn, producing a yellow flame and thick smoke. It extinguishes itself when removed from the flame. K material is soft and transparent, with burning characteristics similar to HIPS. It is not brittle and is often used in flexible applications. KRATON is a rubber-like material that resembles PVC in appearance but is different in performance. It does not harden when placed in the refrigerator, unlike PVC, making it ideal for flexible and durable applications. Dongguan Jiehua Plastic Products Co., Ltd., established in 2001, is a professional manufacturer and supplier of plastic products including plastic pallets, boxes, bottles, and hollow containers. The company also specializes in anti-static products. With a team of experienced engineers, designers, and quality control experts, we provide high-quality solutions tailored to customer needs. Our business spans the Pearl River Delta, with sales offices in Shanghai and Zhejiang. We have a dedicated logistics team to ensure timely delivery and exceptional service. Feel free to contact us for more information!

Metal Edging Luminous Characters

Wuxi Motian Signage Co., Ltd , https://www.makesignage.com