Acrylonitrile Butadienestyrene, popularly known as ABS granules is an engineering polymer that has great fluidity to take up any shape, and provides a good shine and colour. ABS stands out for its strong nature, thermal stability and its ability to conform to any rigid matrix. ABS is developed by polymerizing acrylonitrile and styrene, along with the presence of polybutadiene. The proportions vary, but the composition makes ABS more robust than pure polystyrene.

The most important properties of ABS are its durability and impact resistance feature, although various modifications can be made to amplify these properties. ABS has excellent stability under limited loads, and displays valuable characteristics within -20 °C to 80 °C. 

ABS comes in two different grades – one for extrusion, and the other for injection moulding. However, ABS’ final properties are determined by the settings under which they have been processed. For instance, moulding at a lower temperature improves its strength, whereas moulding at a higher temperature enhances its gloss and shine. Certain additives can also be mixed to make it stronger, protect against ultraviolet radiation, prevent oxidisation, or change its colour.

ABS is largely used for mechanical purposes, but it also finds its way in electrical usages. Customers have a wide choice of colours and shades – each with their own key characteristics, allowing them to handpick or customise the granules, depending on their requirements. The blue and green granules are used for making any kind of plastic item. The yellow and orange granules have massive thermal stability, while the red granules are highly consistent in their composition. Violet granules are useful for the electrical industry. Given the extensive range, these granules have a high procurement demand from customers worldwide.

ABS polymers do not welt when exposed to alkalis, alcohols, hydrochloric/phosphoric/aqueous acids, and to vegetable/animal/mineral oils. Furthermore, ABS granules are light weight, and they do not get affected by atmospheric humidity or temperature (provided it’s within the acceptable range).

Nylon is a common term used for a family of synthetic fibers. Chemically, these are polymers from the semi-aromatic polyamides category. As one of the most versatile polymers with extensive industrial and home applications, Nylon has created a revolution in terms of usage. In fact, it was the first textile fiber made from organic materials.

Typically, Nylon is produced through the reaction of adipic acid with hexamythelene diamine which forms a large molecule via fusion. This process is called condensation polymerisation. A common fiber form of nylon i.e. nylon 6, is prepared in this manner.

Nylon occurs in a variety of forms:

• Nylon Fibers: These are long and soft filaments which are produced by high speed melt-spinning and mostly belong to Nylon6 or Nylon-66 types. Various forms of nylon filaments may be produced depending on application – single filament or multi-filament. A unique feature of these fibers is their elasticity and varying degrees of lustre, which is used in making garments.
• Extruded Nylon Shapes: Nylon 6 is commonly used as moulded nylon for various industrial and commercial applications. Nylon is used as a reinforcing additive for imparting tenacity and heat resistance to devices such as printers and car components.
• Nylon Filaments: These slightly differ from nylon fibers on account of added tensile strength. Nylon filaments are used in brushes, parachutes, fishing lines, etc. 
• Nylon Powder: Nylon can also be reduced to a powder form which is used as powder coating for metal fittings, such as pipes.

PET stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin, a widely used thermo-plastic polymer. The fact that it belongs to the polyester family, lends it a common name of polyester when used for fabrics.

A positive point of PET Resin is that it is recyclable, and hence sustainable in nature. In fact, it can be re-recycled into a variety of forms, making it the most in-demand commodity for industrial and personal use.

Naturally, PET occurs as colourless resin with a somewhat crystalline form. When produced in a chemical setting, ethylene glycol and Teraphthalic acid react under high temperature and low pressure, forming long polymer chains which resemble spaghetti-like strands. These are then cut into pellets, which when heated will melt further and can be stretched into thin fibres or sheets. Another far more crystalline form of PET can also be prepared if it remains stretched at high temperatures for a longer period of time, giving it a more glass-like appearance.

There are different types of PET:

• Amorphous PET/Reground PET: This is PET in its amorphous virgin form, clear in colour and lustrous
• Crystalline PET: When Amorphous PET is crystallised to prevent agglomeration in the processing machinery while drying, it is called Crystalline PET. Conversion happens at temperatures of 180 degrees Celsius
• Blow Moulded PET: A combination of 20% amorphous and 80% crystalline scrap, is used for producing this highly dry version for further processing
• Recycled PET: Any PET which is recycle typically contains 25-100% recycled content
• Terra PET: A blend with a 30% mix of renewable sugarcane derivatives

Apart from pure PET, co-polymers are also used to impart special properties to PET. For example, a commonly used coloured PET-G is produced by reacting cyclohexane di-methanol instead of ethylene glycol. PET-G can be easily extruded into a variety of shapes.

Polystyrene is a synthetic polymer manufactured from the monomer called styrene. It is one of the most widely used plastics due to its cost effectiveness and durability in normal atmospheric conditions. Polystyrene is thermoplastic in nature i.e. it is solid in natural state but flows when heated above 100 degrees Celsius. Structurally, it is a hydrocarbon with alternating carbons and benzene rings.

Though polystyrene has numerous applications, it is not bio-degradable and hence considered to be anti-environment. This is due to the fact that it is inert and on burning, releases carbon dioxide.

Polystyrene is prepared by a process called polymerisation, wherein monomers link together to form long chains. 

Polystyrene comes in several forms, listed below:

• Moulded Polystyrene: This is the most common form. The shape is derived through vacuum forming or injection moulding. Highly rigid and durable, it finds wide applications in lab equipment, license plates, device housings, etc.
• Foam Polystyrene: This is a closed-cell foam which is rigid, tough and has high thermal insulation properties. When ingrained with graphite, it has even higher insulation. However, despite having closed cells, this form is not completely water-proof. Foam polystyrene can have two sub-forms:
  •  Expanded Polystyrene Foam: This form is far more rigid and durable with closed cells and hence it is used for refrigerator trays, bowls, etc.
  •  Extruded Polystyrene Foam: This variant provides a better surface roughness than the above variant and is commonly used in architectural models.

There are two common types of Polystyrene:

• General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS): For applications where strength does not matter much, this brittle, but rigid and inexpensive form of polystyrene is used.
• High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS): Due to its inherent fragile nature, pure polystyrene is not suitable for building sturdy items such as toys and appliance parts. It is mixed with 5-10% butadiene rubber to produce a robust and strong substance called High Impact Polystyrene or HIPS. This is commonly promoted as ‘high impact plastics’.

Poly-methyl methacrylate is an Engineering polymer which is a transparent thermoplastic commonly used as an alternative to glass. PMMA has several alternative names like acrylic, acrylic glass, plexiglass, acrylate, Lucite, Perspex, etc. The production of PMMA involves four stages namely, emulsion polymerization, solution polymerization, and bulk polymerization. It is essentially produced from a compound called propylene, which is obtained by refining lighter versions of crude oil.The process begins when propylene and benzene react together to form cumene. The cumene is then oxidized to produce cumene hydroperoxide.Next, the cumene hydroperoxide is treated with acid to form acetone. The resulting acetone undergoes a three-step process where it is finally converted into methyl methacrylate.

Usage

Industrial applications for Poly-methyl Methacrylate are numerous. The automotive industry, for instance, uses PMMA to manufacture rear light indicators and dashboard covers. Healthcare and medical industry applications of PMMA are in blood sample tubes, diagnostic dishes, andtoothbrushes.The Building and Construction Industry uses PMMA for making Windows, port-holes, and domes. PMMA is also used for making popular consumer products and household items such as salad bowls, plates, pens, lamp covers, etc.The optical industry uses properties of PMMA like transparency and UV resistance for making optical products like sunglasses, watch glasses, diffuser panels, etc. Other uses of PMMA include point-of-purchase displays, blister packaging, rear lights, instrument clusters for vehicles, appliances, glass lenses, window panels, skylights, bullet proof security barriers, signs and displays, bathtubs, LCD screens, furniture, etc.

Polycarbonates area group of Engineering Thermoplastic Polymers. They are essentially polymers containing carbonate groups. The production process of polycarbonates mainly involves producing a reaction between Bisphenol A and Phosge.They are naturally thermoplastic and are widely popular for their impact resistance and thermoplasticproperties.Themanufacturing process of Polycarbonate is as follows; hydrocarbon fuels are distilled into lighter groups called fractions. The fractions are then combined with other catalysts via a polymerization or Poly-condensation process to produce plastics. Both these processes are performed inside a reactor. Heat is then added to the reactor resulting in small molecules combining to form large molecules.The large molecules thus formed are plastic molecules.

Usage

Polycarbonates are mainly used in the manufacture of electronic components. They are also ideal for use in electrical and telecommunications hardware manufacturing. In the construction industry, polycarbonates are used for making dome lights, flat/curved glazing, sound walls, etc.Data storage applications of Polycarbonates include manufacture of CD’s, DVD’s, and Blue Rays.They are also used for making signs, displays, poster protection, etc. Automotive applications of Polycarbonates are very popular such as headlamp lenses, bullet-proof glass, etc. Polycarbonates are good UV filters, which makes them best suited for eyewear and glasses. The medical industry also uses Polycarbonates for many applications. Other uses of Polycarbonates include for manufacture of moulded mirror housings, bottles, containers, tableware, etc. Popular consumer goods manufacturers use Polycarbonates to make electric kettles, fridges, food mixers, electrical shavers, hairdryers, etc.

High Impact Polystyrene is a plastic material that is inexpensive and used for structural applications that demand low strength. It is tough and rigid with high impact strength. It is employed in applications where it can be guillotined, punched, routered, or sawn with ease. The manufacturing process of HIPS involves several stages. First, the raw material is taken in a feed tank where it is lubricated, toned, and properly mixed. The next stages of manufacturing are Pre Polymerisation, Polymerisation, Preheating, Devolatilization, Extrusion and Pelletisation, and Product Packing. Raw materials used in the manufacture of HIPS are Styrene, Zinc Stearate, and Liquid Paraffin. Zinc Stearate is used as an Internal Lubricant and Liquid Paraffin is used as a Chain Transition agent. 

Usage

High Impact Polystyrene has severalunique qualities like strength, hygiene, heat retention, visual appeal, resistance to warm water, etc. which makes it ideal to be used in the Food Industry. Applications include Yogurt Holders, Plastic Cutlery, Salad Bowls, etc. High Impact Polystyrene is also used in several packaging applications like CD cases and refrigerator linings. In the Medical Industry, HIPS is used for making trays. Other items that use HIPS in manufacturing include Printed Graphics, Models and Prototypes, Point-of-Purchase Displays, Shelves, Kiosks, and Fixtures, and Thermoformed Machine Housings and Parts. Major products in the Automotive Industry that use High Impact Polystyrene are Instrument Panels and Fittings, and Gasoline Tanks. A lot of popular consumer products like Appliance Components, Toys, Tv, and Audio-Visual Equipment parts, Recording Tape Cassettes, Bicycle Trailers, and Toys are manufactured using High Impact Polystyrene.

General-purpose Polystyrene, also known as GPPS is a substance prepared from styrene monomer polymer. It is a solid, transparent product and is manufactured by a suspension process. It is also known as crystal-clear polystyrene and is very different from high impact Polystyrene (HIPS). GPPS is converted into a range of products by converting it into granular form. It has several useful properties like strength, weather resistance, etc. that makes it ideal for use in various industrial applications. GPPS flows freely and easily. General-Purpose Polystyrene has very inexpensive production cost, can be stored easily, and can be molded with ease. These characteristics render GPPS products versatile and recyclable. It is also FDA compliant and resists X-Rays, Odor, and Taste.

Usage

Since GPPS can be easily molded, it is used to make enclosing products like toys, CD cases, hangers, plastic cups, IT equipment, jewelry boxes, etc. The medical industry also uses general purpose polystyrene to make test tubes, test kit housings, diagnostic products, petri dishes, tissue trays, etc. Even several household equipment like bath accessories and garden equipment use General-Purpose Polystyrene. Manufacture of refrigerator components like crisper trays and egg shells also need General-Purpose Polystyrene. Popular user commodities like toothbrushes, toothbrush containers, flat lay boxes, ball pen barrels, geometrical appliances, etc. are made using GPPS. All major industries belonging to food packaging, refrigeration, audio/video making, consumer electronics, office equipment, medical devices, and toys need General-purpose Polystyrene.