Plastics are a wide range of semi/fully synthetic compounds and are available in a number of different grades, each with their own specific strength. There is no singular niche industry that utilises perforated plastic product as it can be used for a wide variety of applications, from ventilation screens to eye-covers for mascots.
The seven most popular and commonly used plastics are Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) & Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)
Plastics are light weight, corrosion resistant and have very good thermal and electrical properties. Plastics have a wide variety of properties depending on the plastic chosen and how it is manufactured. Some plastics have been specifically designed to withstand UV rays while others are manufactured to specifically withstand extreme temperatures.
Due to the nature of plastic, especially polypropylene, perforated plastic sheets often suffer from fleck and burr within the holes where the strands/fibres do not break cleanly during the perforating process. This isn’t necessarily a problem for many applications. However, it does inhibit its filtration and architectural capabilities.
Well-known for its use in optical devices and products, acrylic is a transparent thermoplastic used as a lightweight shatter resistant alternative to glass. Typically used in sheet form the transparent plastic can be made coloured and fluorescent, abrasive resistant, UV tolerant, non glare and many more. This material has endless applications.
Tough, stable and transparent, polycarbonate is an excellent engineering plastic. It can be easily worked, moulded or thermo formed or cold formed. Polycarbonate plastic is in a wide vriety of products including greenhouses, sunglasses, police riot gear and many more.
The most common plastic on earth. As it can be manufactured in varying densities, polyethylene is in a wide variety of products. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is used ion products such as shopping bags, plastic bags and clear food containers. Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) can be seen in gas pipes, shrink film and carrier bags. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is more rigid than LDPE & MDPE and used in products such as plastic bottles, boats and folding chairs. Finally Ultra High Molecular Weight Polypropylene (UHMWPE) is used in military body armour and as biomaterial for replacement hips and knees.
This is a thermoplastic polymer and the worlds second most widely produced synthetic plastic. Although PP is stronger than PE it still retains flexibility. It will not crack under repeated stress. Durable, flexible and heat resistant it is used to make lab equipment, automotive parts and food containers to name just a few.
PET has excellent chemical resistance to organic materials and water and is easily recyclable. It has a high strength to weight ratio and is used in fibers for clothing containers for liquid , and carbon nanotubes.
Well known for its ability to blend with other materials. The rigid form of PVC is commonly used in construction materials, doors, windows and bottles. With the addition of plasticizers, the softer and more flexible form of PVC is used in plumbing products, electrical cable insulation, medical tubing and similar products.
ABS is robust, flexible, glossy, highly processable and impact resistant. It can be manufactured in a range of thicknesses and is typically used in the automotive and refrigeration industries.
PPC/PPH are the most common grades used in perforating. PP (Polypropylene) generally comes in two grades: Copolymer (PPC) and (Homopolymer). Of the two, PPC is softer and more ductile but has a higher impact resistance and is more durable than PPH. PPH is a stiffer material with a better strength to weight ratio. These materials, being plastic, are available in an array of colours.
