Plastics Identification

1
Plastics Identification
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Plastics Identification

• Resources
• Your textbook (appendix 5)
• Table by Dr. Hj. Saechtling
• The ResinKit available in the department
• Simple Methods for Identification of Plastics
  by
• Dietrich Braun, Third Edition

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Plastics Identification

• Identification Methods
• Spectroscopic methods
• IR, NMR, mass
• Pros and cons
• Systematic Stepwise
• Physical appearance
• Application of Heat
• Softening upon heat
• Melting behavior and point
• Burning (pyrolysis, open flame)
• dripping
• self extinguishing
• color of flame
• odor
• color of smoke

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Plastics Identification

• Density
• Chemical reactivity with solvents
• Chemical tests for heteroatoms (N, S, Cl, F, P,
  Si)
• Specific tests for specific plastics

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Plastics Identification

• Difficulties with this method
• Experience is needed
• Additives (types, amount)
• Blend/alloys
• Fillers and Reinforcements (types, amount)