PLASTIC MATERIAL TYPE IDENTIFICATION 3

[skengg]

hello to all,
i am kinda new in plastic made components industry. i have general query that how you can identify type of plastic from samples provided, what kind of plastic material identification test or devices are available?
like, i am aware of spectro & PMI Guns instruments which we use for metals material type identification.
i have some plastic part available and i want to know what grade or type of plastic they are?

 

[Pud]

Google 'burn test plastics'. Lots to choose from. That will get you to the generic type of plastic.
Specific grade will be harder. There's thousands of recipes for stuff like ABS for instance, which is a blend of three polymers with plenty of other additives as well.


Politicians like to panic, they need activity. It is their substitute for achievement.

 

[EdStainless]

Step 1 is to ask, if someone wants to supply you a part and they don't really know what it is made of move on.
Suppliers like to change additives and fillers to meet production and economic criteria, properties are sometimes secondary.
Doing lab analysis of plastics is a pain, there are so many different things to test for.

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P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed

 

[Pud]

I've had enquiries to make mouldings with "black plastic" in the material spec box!


Politicians like to panic, they need activity. It is their substitute for achievement.

 

[skengg]

yea i think you all are right, its really a tough and tedious process of lab testing. i guess its better i chose material myself according to its application and operation.
can you guide me any good books available in market which have detailed information about plastic material & its properties as per design & application.
i can gather information but its better if i find a good books regrading it.

 

[3DDave]

The only people who could write such a book are the plastics suppliers, and they have applications engineers to discuss this sort of thing with potential customers. Many distributors have beginner guides. Since many plastic items carry the recycle classification it would be faster to find such products that seem to offer what characteristics you want and go from there.

 

[SWComposites]

A google search for “plastics handbook” turns up lots of book options.

 

[skengg]

yea SWComposites, i know that but i thought maybe all of you already know some good books which have information in condensed form.