SANDER PAUL S.

BAUTISTA JANUARY 2020 ALE REVIEWER

ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

PROPERTIES OF PLASTIC

Appearance
 Transparent
 Colored
 Pigments are added in the manufacturing to get different properties

Chemical Resistance
 Great resistance to chemicals and solvents
 Great corrosion resistance

Dimension Stability
 Thermoplastic – can be reshaped and reused; reacts with temperature
 Thermoset – does not reshape or remold the material (ex. Rugby)

Ductility of Plastics
 Ductile nature of plastic is very low

Durability
 With sufficient surface hardness are durable

Electric Insulation
 Good electric insulators
 Used as linings for electric cables and electronic tools

Finishing
 Any type of finishing treatment may be given to the plastic

Fire Resistance
 Resistance to temperature or fire varies depending upon the properties and use of
plastic
 Plastic made of cellulose acetate are burnt slowly
 PVC catches fire easily
 Phenol formaldehyde and urea formaldehyde are fire proof materials

Fixing
 Can be bolted, glued, fusion welding

Humidity
 Cellulosic materials are affected by moisture
 PVC materials are resistant to moisture

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SANDER PAUL S. BAUTISTA JANUARY 2020 ALE REVIEWER
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

Maintenance
 Simple, no need for surface finishing or coating

Melting Point
 Generally low in melting point
 Thermoset plastics have higher melting point than thermoplastics
 Glass fiber reinforcement are provided to improve the heat resistance of plastics

Optical Property
 Transparent – allows light in its original direction
 Translucent – allows light in but changes it light ray direction
 Opaque – does not permit light

Recycling
 Recyclable

Sound Absorption
 Saturation of phenolic resins can produce acoustic boards

Strength
 Plastic is strong but not ideal to be used as structural components
 Reinforcing fibrous material into plastic improves strength

Thermal Property
 Thermal conductivity of plastic is very low similar to wood
 Foam and expanded plastics are used as thermal insulations

Weather Resistance
 Most plastics are resistant to weathering except some varieties
 Major problem in plastic is sunlight exposure; ultra violet rays makes the plastic brittle
 To counter the UV effect, pigments and filler are incorporated in the plastic to reflect or
absorb the UV rays to surface

Weight
 Lightweight

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SANDER PAUL S. BAUTISTA JANUARY 2020 ALE REVIEWER
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

USES OF PLASTICS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Façade Panels, Exterior Covering, Carpentry

1. Façade Panels
 Sandwich panels covering with PVC – plasticized plates and polyutherane
 Sandwich panels – asbestos cement covering and polyutherane foam core
 Sandwich panels – polystyrene foam core and various coverings
 Sandwich panels – covering polyester laminated sheet and polyurethane foam core
 Sandwich panels – enameled iron covering and polyurethane foam core
 Sandwich panels – covering with polyester laminated sheet glued to asbestos
cement

2. Exterior Covering
 Polyester coated concrete by moulding from an existing plate
 Sprayed polyutherane with sand and gravel agglomeration
 Epoxy resins and polyesters on various supporting media
 PVC plasticized plates (spraying, coating or adhesive films)
 Polyester epidermis available as permanent shuttering

3. Weather Boarding
 Polyester
 PVC
 Polymethyl methacrylate

4. Windows
 PVC casing on metal moulding
 Polyester laminated sheet on wooden moulding
 PVC – chlorinated polyethylene compound
 Methyl polymethacrylate
 Polyester glass fibre and phenolic foam core
 PVC/wood

Interior Covering, Floors, Walls, Ceilings, Doors, Partitions

1. Interior Covering – Wall Lining
 Adhering Films – Vinyl coated fabrics or paper vinyl sheet doubling on fabric or
paper etc.
 Sprayed lining polyutherane
 Laminate – melamine and phenolic plastics – polyester
 Wall tiles – polystyrene, PVC – tiles or mosaic
 Coating – polyvinyl acetate

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SANDER PAUL S. BAUTISTA JANUARY 2020 ALE REVIEWER
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

2. Interior Covering – Floor Covering

 Asbestos plastic slabs (asphalt tile type)
 Vinyl asbestos slabs
 Homogenous semi-flexible vinyl slabs
 Flexible, homogenous or multi-layered vinyl slabs
 Homogenous vinyl carpets (stuck, laid)
 Vinyl carpets on felt (applied or coating)
 Multi-layered coating with cellular structure on fabrics
 Multi-layered coating on cork structure
 Vinyl carpets on jute cloth
 Thermosetting resin based covering
 Rubber covering
 Synthetic fibre tensile covering (polyamides, viscose etc.)

3. Ceilings
 Translucent – polyester, PVC, polyamides, polyurethane
 Opaque, extruded polystyrene or vinyl copolymers, impact type polystyrene
 Lighting – PVC, polymethylmethacrylate

Roof Coverings, Tightness, Domes and Lighting Elements

1. Roof Covering
 Flat or Corrugated Sheets – polyester, PVC, polymethylmethacrylate
 Curved Sheets – reinforced polymer
 Domes – polyester, polymethylmethacrylate
 Casements – polymethylmethacrylate, reinforced polyester
 Troughs – class/polyester
 Gutters – rigid PVC polyester
 Downpipes – PVC

2. Roof Tightness
 Polybutylene with or without glass cloth armature
 Butyl rubber
 Multi-layered butimen with PVC film screens and armatures
 PVC sheets
 Welded polyester

Sanitary Equipment and Piping

1. Sanitary Equipment
 Appliances
 Sinks – polyester, polymethylmethacrylate – polyester/glass fiber
 Baths – polyester, polymethylmethacrylate
 Showers – polymethylmethacrylate, polyester

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SANDER PAUL S. BAUTISTA JANUARY 2020 ALE REVIEWER
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

 Pipeworks – PVC, phenolics, ABS – terpolymer

 Fittings – PVC and ABS - terpolymer – phenolic plastics
 Traps – polyamides
 Water – finishings – polystyrene and copolymers, polymer and copolymers,
polyethylene

2. Insulation – insulation materials and application foams

 Polystyrene
 PVC
 Phenolic
 Formaldehyde urea
 Polyurethane

Reference: https://theconstructor.org/building/plastics-construction-material/12438/

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SANDER PAUL S. BAUTISTA JANUARY 2020 ALE REVIEWER
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

TYPES OF PLASTICS
Polymers
 made of different natural materials undergo many processes to produce a new material
 includes plastics, rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers, adhesives, foams, paints, and
sealants
 used for flooring, windows, cladding, pipes, membranes, seals, insulation, etc.
 Uses in construction:
o Epoxy resins – solid resin, terrazzo flooring, anchor fixings and adhesives
o Ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) – fabric structures
o Ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) – solar panel encapsulants
o Expanded polyester (EPS) – concrete moulds, insulation, and packaging
o Polycarbonate – lighting housings, fittings in hot water systems, glazing
o Polyester – FRP Bridge sections, cladding panels, sinks, surfaces and coatings
o Polyethylene – foam underlay, damp-proof membranes and coatings
o Polyisobutylene – sealants and waterproof membranes
o Polymethylmethacrylate/Acrylic (PMMA) – surfaces and sinks
o Polypropylene (PP) – sound insulation and pipes
o Polyurethane (PU) – sealants and concrete jointing
o Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) – sealants, concrete jointing, and fabric structures, pipes
o Rubber – bridge bearings and floorings

Acrylic
 Refers to chemicals that contain the acryloyl group
 Generally have good optical clarity, scratch resistance, dimensional stability and rigidity
 Do not deteriorate in sunlight and good adhesion
 Thermoplastic – easy to form and easy to cut
 Combustible not flexible; suffer from stress cracking; not resistant to solvents
 Uses in construction:
o Transparent/translucent sheeting – acrylic glass (plexiglass or Perspex)
o Opaque cladding and panel materials
o Paints
o Resins, sealants, adhesives and adhesive tapes
o Flashing materials
o Concretes, mortars, renders and asphalt
o Architectural fabrics
o Baths, shower trays and sinks
o Coatings for metals, concrete and masonry
o Flooring and carpets
o Worktops
o Signage
o Light fixtures
o LCD screens
o Furnitures

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SANDER PAUL S. BAUTISTA JANUARY 2020 ALE REVIEWER
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

Polystyrene (PS)
 Made by stringing together
 Styrene – a building-block chemical used in manufacturing many products; naturally
occurs in foods such as strawberries, cinnamon, coffee and beef.
 Versatile plastic
 Uses in construction:
o Hard, solid plastic – often used in products that require transparency, such as food
packaging and laboratory
o Used to make appliances, electronics, automobile parts, toys, gardening pots, etc.
o Foam material – EPS (expanded polystyrene) or XPS (extruded polystyrene); for
insulating and cushioning properties; can be 95% air; lightweight protective
packaging

Polycarbonate (PC)
 High-performance, sustainable thermoplastic
 Naturally transparent, amorphous
 Lighter alternative to glass
 Good heat resistance (flame retardant materials) and elastic
 High impact-resistant
 Prone to scratching (scratch-resistant coating are just applied)
 Uses in construction:
o Safety eyewear and other protective equipment
o Diffusers and light pipes for LEDs and exterior light fixtures
o Plant and machinery guards
o Greenhouses
o Security glazing
o Flat or curved glazing
o Noise barriers

Polyethylene (PE)
 Polythene, one of the most common type of plastic
 Produced from ethylene (from petroleum or natural gas)
 High ductility (flexible)
 High impact strength
 Low friction, good electrical insulator
 High resistance to moisture
 Low melting point
 Non-biodegradable
 Uses in construction:
o Pipes – high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe (can use fusion welding & fittings); 4x
the price of PPR
o Damp-proof membranes (DPM)

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SANDER PAUL S. BAUTISTA JANUARY 2020 ALE REVIEWER
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

o A loose lining material for foundations

o To protect concrete during the curing process
o Temporary flashing material for doors, windows, etc.

Polypropylene (PP)
 Type of thermoplastic polymer resin with similar properties with polyethylene (PE) but
still slightly harder better resistance to heat and organic solvents
 Second-most widely produced commodity plastic
 Extremely versatile (adaptable)
 Lightweight, tough, flexible
 Heat resistant
 Chemically inert
 Impact and freeze-resistant
 High shatter resistance
 Low moisture absorption
 Mould resistant
 Low density allows lower-weight mouldings to be made
 Resistant to fats and organic solvents
 Accepts color and dye without degrading
 Expensive
 Fatigue resistance
 Can float on water
 Uses in construction:
o PP fibers are added to concrete to increase strength and reduce cracking and
spalling
o Non-woven fabrics for ground stabilisation
o Roofing membranes (waterproofing top-layer in single-ply system)
o Electrical cable insulation (alternative to PVC)
o Piping system – PPR (Polypropylene Random Copolymer) – designed for distribution
of hot and cold water; use fusion welding pipe connection
o Carpets, rugs, upholstery
o Medical and laboratory equipment
o Reusable containers
o Plastic machine parts
o Industrial rope and cordage

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

 Strong
 Lightweight
 Durable
 Versatile (adaptive)
 Flexible
 Flame retardant, electrical insulation

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SANDER PAUL S. BAUTISTA JANUARY 2020 ALE REVIEWER
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

 Uses in construction:
o Window and door profiles and conservations
o Pipes and fittings – PVC - concealed pipings; uPVC (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride) -
exposed to weather; cPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) – designed for hot and
cold water distribution; use fittings for pipe connection
o Power, data and telecoms wirings and cables
o Internal and external claddings
o Cable and ducting
o Roofing membranes
o Flooring
o Wall coverings

PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)
 Thermoplastic compound noted for its very significant chemical inertness and heat
resistance
 ‘Teflon’ – commonly known as non-stick coating for pots and pans
 Very low friction coefficient
 Corrosion resistant
 Significantly chemically inert
 Withstand wide temperature ranges
 Good abrasion resistance
 Non-porous
 Uses in construction:
o insulator – prevent thermal bridging; e.g. pipe passes through an external wall
o lubricant – reduces friction, wear and energy consumption (in machinery)

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

 thermoplastic polymer
 excellent impact strength
 good fabricating
 excellent aesthetic properties
 good chemical resistance
 low heat conductivity
 corrosion and abrasion resistant
 low co-efficient of friction
 Uses in construction:
o Pipes and fittings
o Valve bodies
o Material handling equipment

Nylon
 thermoplastic material
 strength

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SANDER PAUL S. BAUTISTA JANUARY 2020 ALE REVIEWER
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

 durability
 high pressure-bearing capacity
 corrosion resistant
 low coefficient of friction
 waterproof and fast-drying
 can be dissolved when exposed to chemicals such as phenols, alkalis, acids
 when heater, it can be moulded into a range of shapes or films or fibers
 used in sheets, rods, tubes, pipes, screws, washers, bolts, spacers, safety nets, plumbing
fittings
 its fibers can be woven together to produce lightweight fabric that can be used in
carpeting, canopies, sheets, etc.

Polyurethane (PUR or PU)

 polymer formed by the reaction of isocyanates and polyols
 tough and rigid
 non-toxic
 lightweight
 durable
 highly flexible
 Uses in construction:
o Insulation – rigid foam insulation panels
o Spray foam in structurally insulated panels and composite structures
o Polyurethane paints – it’s like a liquid plastic and creates a durable coating over an
object
o Sealants
o Binders
o Adhesives

Cellulosics
 Synthetic plastics, not synthetic polymers
 Made from naturally occurring polymer, cellulose from wood pulp and cotton linters
 Cellulose can be made into a film (cellophane), fiber (rayon)
 Must be chemically modified to produce a thermoplastic material
 Easy to evaporate
 Uses in construction:
o Pigment used in spray paint

Epoxy Resins
 High melting point solid
 Excellent adhesion
 Chemical and heat resistance

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SANDER PAUL S. BAUTISTA JANUARY 2020 ALE REVIEWER
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

 Very good electrical insulating properties

 Uses in construction:
o Paints and coatings – rust inhibiting paint; grey color; primer; prevents bonding
o Adhesives – fiberglass repairs, carpentry woodworking, wood and metal fillers,
reinforcing bolts,
o Composite materials such as using carbon fiber and fiberglass reinforcements
o Industrial tooling and composites
o Electrical systems and electronics
o Consumer applications
o Marine applications

Polybutylene (PB)
 Thermoplastic
 Plastic resin
 Low cost, ease in installation
 High strength
 Flexible
 Heat resistant
 Higher level of creep resistance
 Higher level of chemical and fire resistance
 Uses in construction:
o Water supply piping - hot and cold
o Film
o Rigid packaging
o Fittings

Melamine Resin
 Melamine formaldehyde
 Thermosetting plastic
 Hard and colourable
 Tasteless
 Odourless
 Great chemical and heat resistant
 Stain resistant, resistant to strong solvents and water
 Absorb radiation which causes polymer bonds break down
 Uses in construction:
o Adhesives – adhesives in particleboard and plywood adhesives
o Coatings – automative, epoxy, polester appliance
o Laminates – decorative laminated panels (e.g. formica)
o Mouldings
o Toilet partitions

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SANDER PAUL S. BAUTISTA JANUARY 2020 ALE REVIEWER
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

Urea-formaldehyde (UF)
 Thermosetting resin or polymer
 Non-transparent
 High tensile strength
 Flexible
 high heat resistant
 low water absorption
 mould shrinkage
 high surface hardness
 Uses in construction:
o Decorative laminates
o Textiles
o Wrinkle resistant fabrics
o Cotton blends
o Corduroy
o Electrical appliances casing
o Insulation

RESIN IDENTIFICATION CODE PLASTIC RESIN

1 PET – polyethylene terephthalate
(beverage bottles, cups, other packaging, etc.
2 HDPE – high-density polyethylene
(bottles, cups, milk jugs, etc.)
3 PVC – polyvinyl chloride
(pipes, siding, floorings, etc.)
4 LDPE – low-density polyethylene
(plastic bags, six-pack rings, tubing, etc.)
5 PP – polypropylene
(auto parts, industrial fibers, food containers, etc.)
6 PS – polystyrene
(plastic utensils, styfoam, cafeteria trays, etc.)
7 Other plastics
Acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate and polylactic acid

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SANDER PAUL S. BAUTISTA JANUARY 2020 ALE REVIEWER
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

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