Plastics and Plastic Manufacturing

Plastics and Rubber Products have become a common feature in homes. For that matter even Industries have fallen hook, line and sinker for the two. Two major factors like credibility and versatility have been driving their demand. Considering the soaring demand for plastic and rubber products, we have come up with a common platform for all plastic and rubber manufacturers, suppliers, exporters and buyers, to trade with each other at the click of a mouse. A few years back, transactions used to take place ‘on –field’, with both parties sitting face-to-face, before closing the deal. Here, the major plus point is the transaction is taking place ‘on-line’ and you can strike a profitable deal right away. Sitting face-to-face can be done anytime.

Many polymer-forming processes are essentially two stage; the first stage with polymers being the production of the polymer in a powder, granule or sheet form and the second stage being the shaping of this material into the required shape. The first stage can involve the mixing with the polymer of suitable additives and other polymers in order that the finished material should have the required properties. Second-stage processes for thermoplastics forming generally involve heating the powder, granule or sheet material until it softens, shaping the softened material to the required shape and then cooling it. For thermosets the second-stage processes involve forming the thermosetting materials to the required shape and then heating them so that they undergo a chemical change to cross-link polymer chains into a highly linked polymer. The main second-stage processes used for forming polymers are:

Plastics Moulding

This includes injection moulding, reaction compression moulding and transfer moulding.

Plastics Forming

This includes such processes as extrusion, plastic vacuum forming, plastic blow moulding and calendering.

Plastics Cutting

Injection moulding,

In addition, products may be formed by polymer joining. The processes are:

Adhesives, Plastic Welding,Fastening systems such as riveting, press and snap fits and screws.

The choice of process will depend on a number of factors, such as:

The quantity of items required The size of the items

The rate at which the items are to be produced, i.e. cycle time The requirements for holes, inserts, enclosed volumes, threads Whether the material is thermoplastic or thermoset

Plastic Injection moulding

Moulding uses a hollow mould to form the product. The main processes are injection moulding, reaction injection moulding, compression moulding and transfer moulding.

A widely used process for thermoplastics, though it can also used for rubbers, thermosets and composites, is injection moulding. With this process, the polymer raw material is pushed into a cylinder by a screw or plunger, heated and then pushed, i.e. injected, into the cold metal mould. The pressure on the material in the mould is maintained while it cools and sets. The mould is then opened and the component extracted, and then the entire process repeats itself. High production rates can be achieved and complex shapes with inserts, threads, holes, etc. produced; sizes range from about 10 g to 25 kg in weight. Typical products are beer or milk bottle crates, toys,

control knobs for electronic equipment, tool handles, pipe fittings.

Reaction injection moulding

Reaction injection moulding involves the reactants being combined in the mould to react and produce the polymer. The choice of materials that are processed in this way is determined by the reaction time, this must be short, e.g. 30 seconds, so that cycle times are short. It is mainly used with polyurethanes, polyamides and polypropylene oxide and composites incorporating glass fibres. The preheated reactants are injected at high speed into a closed mould where they fill the mould and

combine to produce the finished product. This method is used for large automotive parts such as spoilers, bumpers and front and rear fascia.

Compression moulding

Compression moulding is widely used for thermosets. The powdered polymer is compressed between the two parts of the mould and heated under pressure to initiate the polymerisation reaction. The process is limited to relatively simple shapes from a 2-3 g to 15 kg in weight. Typical products are dishes, handles and electrical fittings.

Transfer moulding

Transfer moulding differs from compression moulding in that the powdered polymer is heated in a chamber before being transferred by a plunger into the heated mould.

Plastic Forming processes

Forming processes involve the flow of a polymer through a die to form the required shape.

Plastic Extrusion forming

A very wide variety of plastic products are made from extruded sections, e.g. curtain rails, household guttering, window frames, polythene bags and film. Extrusion involves the forcing of the molten thermoplastic polymer through a die. The polymer is fed into a screw mechanism which takes the polymer through the heated zone and forces it out through the die. In the case of an extruded product such as curtain rail, the extruded material is just cooled.

If thin film or sheet is required, a die may be used which gives an extruded cylinder of material. This cylindrical extruded material is inflated by compressed air while still hot to give a tubular sleeve of thin film . The expansion of the material is accompanied by a reduction in thickness. Such film can readily be converted into bags.

Polyethylene is readily processed to give tubular sleeves by this method but polypropylene presents a problem in that the rate of cooling is inadequate to prevent crystallisation and so the film is opaque and rather brittle. Flat film extrusion can be produced using a slit-die. The rate of cooling, by the use of rollers, can be made fast enough to prevent crystallisation occurring with polypropylene. The extrusion process can be used with most thermoplastics and yields continuous lengths of product. Intricate shapes can be produced and a high output rate is possible.

Plastic Blow moulding

Blow moulding is a process used widely for the production of hollow articles such as plastic bottles from thermoplastics. Containers of a wide range of sizes can be produced. With extrusions blow moulding the process involves the extrusion of a hollow thick-walled tube which is then clamped in a mould. Pressure is applied to the inside of the tube to inflate it so that it fills the mould. Blow moulding can also be used with injection moulding.

Plastic vacuum forming

Vacuum forming is a common method of thermoforming. It uses a vacuum on one side of a sheet of heat-softened thermoplastic to force it against a cooled mould and hence produce the required shape. Sheets, such as 6 mm thick acrylic, are likely to be preheated in ovens before being clamped, but thinner sheets are likely to be heated by radiant heaters positioned over the mould. Vacuum forming can have a high output rate, but dimensional accuracy is not too good and such items as holes, threads and enclosed shapes cannot be produced.

Calendering

Calendering is a process used to form thermoplastic films, sheets and coated fabrics. The most common use has been for plasticised PVC. Calendering consists of feeding a heated paste-like mass of the plastic into the gap between two rolls, termed nip rolls. It is squeezed into a film which then passes over cooling rolls before being wound round a wind-up roll. This process can also be used to coat a fabric with a polymer.

Plastic machining

The processes used to shape a polymer generally produce the finished article with no further, or little, need for machining or any other process. With injection moulding, compression moulding and blow moulding there is a need to cut off gates and flashing; with extrusion, lengths have to be cut off. As with metals, single-point and multi-point cutting tools can be used with polymers. Where discontinuous, rather than continuous, chips are produced and the machined surface becomes excessively rough as a result of chips being sheared off. It is thus desirable to select cutting conditions which result in the formation of continuous chips.

Polymers tend to have low melting points and thus machining conditions which do not result in high temperatures being produced are vital if material is not to soften and deform.

Plastic Products - Historical Overview and Industrial Importance

Plastic Products: - In the last few decades, plastic industry has grown to become India's one of the leading sectors with a sizable base. Since 1957, which witnessed a promising beginning with the production of polystyrene, plastic products have gained notable importance in different spheres of activity with an ever increasing per capital consumption. With continuous advancements and developments in polymer technology, processing machines, and cost effective manufacturing, plastic is fast replacing the typical materials in different segments.

The Industry:- On the basis of our study, following are some of the notable facts:

• India's plastic industry is about 0.5% of India's GDP.
• The export of plastic products yields about 1% of the domestic exports.
• 50% turnover of the plastic industry is derived from the small scale companies where it has a large presence
• Production of the plastic provides employment to an estimate of about 0.4 million people in the country
• The processing of the plastic products involve approximately Rs 100 billion as an investment in the form of fixed assets
• 20% of the industry turnover comes from small scale enterprises
• Only 10 to 15% of the total market players can be categorized as medium scale enterprises

Type Of Plastic Products:-

Some of the major plastic products manufactured and exported from India can be categorized under the following headings:-

Raw Materials like PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene etc.

Packaging Materials like a range of plastic sheeting and films, pouches,

crates, bottles, containers, barrels, cans etc

Films like Polyester film, multilayer films, photo films etc

Consumer Goods like toothbrushes, cleaning brushes, hair brushes, nail

and cosmetic brushes, combs, molded furniture (chairs,

tables, etc.) House ware, kitchenware, and many such

other durables.

Writing Instruments like Pens, ball pens, markers, sign pens, refills, etc.

Travel ware like molded luggage, soft luggage, a range of bags like school

bags / ladies handbags, wallets, etc.

Water Storage Tanks Toys and Games Engineering Plastics

Electrical Accessories

Safety helmets

Sanitary Fittings

Construction Materials like PVC profiles, doors, windows, etc.

An Overview:-

The Indian plastic industry is growing at a fast pace. However, with an increasing economical liberalization competition in this industry is expected to increase considerably. To survive the growing competition, the following adjustments need to be adopted by our manufacturers and suppliers:

• Cost reduction by adopting more radical methods and approaches
• Putting more stress on the processing stage to reduce time and cost associated with the manufacturing of the final products

Plastic Products - Historical Overview and Industrial Importance

Plastic Products: - In the last few decades, plastic industry has grown to become India's one of the leading sectors with a sizable base. Since 1957, which witnessed a promising beginning with the production of polystyrene, plastic products have gained notable importance in different spheres of activity with an ever increasing per capita consumption. With continuous advancements and developments in polymer technology, processing machineries, and cost effective manufacturing, plastic is fast replacing the typical materials in different segments.

The Industry:- On the basis of our study, following are some of the notable facts:

• India's plastic industry is about 0.5% of India's GDP.
• The export of plastic products yields about 1% of the domestic exports.
• 50% turnover of the plastic industry is derived from the small scale companies where it has a large presence
• Production of the plastic provides employment to an estimate of about 0.4 million people in the country
• The processing of the plastic products involve approximately Rs 100 billion as an investment in the form of fixed assets
• 20% of the industry turnover comes from small scale enterprises
• Only 10 to 15% of the total market players can be categorized as medium scale enterprises

Type Of Plastic Products:-

Some of the major plastic products manufactured and exported from India can be categorized under the following headings:-

Raw Materials like PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene etc.

Packaging Materials like a range of plastic sheeting and films, pouches,

crates, bottles, containers, barrels, cans etc

Films like Polyester film, multilayer films, photo films etc

Consumer Goods like toothbrushes, cleaning brushes, hair brushes, nail

and cosmetic brushes, combs, molded furniture (chairs,

tables, etc.) House ware, kitchenware, and many such

other durables.

Writing Instruments like Pens, ball pens, markers, sign pens, refills, etc.

Travel ware like molded luggage, soft luggage, a range of bags like school

bags / ladies handbags, wallets, etc.

Water Storage Tanks Toys and Games Engineering Plastics

Electrical Accessories

Safety helmets

Sanitary Fittings

Construction Materials like PVC profiles, doors, windows, etc.

An Overview:-

The Indian plastic industry is growing at a fast pace. However, with an increasing economical liberalization competition in this industry is expected to increase considerably. To survive the growing competition, the following adjustments need to be adopted by our manufacturers and suppliers:

• Cost reduction by adopting more radical methods and approaches
• Putting more stress on the processing stage to reduce time and cost associated with the manufacturing of the final products

Although, the per capita consumption of plastic products in India is well below the world average, the country will continue to be one of the largest sources of plastic products.

Plastic Manners in a Rubber Society

I'm rubber, you're glue, whatever you say, bounces off of me and sticks to you. You've heard it said across the land. From playground to playground. The early training in speech for politely letting the aggressor know they have crossed the line. This is supposed to shock them into stopping in their tracks. The problem with this is that each generation learns less from the one before about how to use its manners. This creates a cycle of practiced pretense at having manners. People creating their own moral code. What they think good behavior should be. Everyone sets the bar at a different level. So, while little Bobby chants about rubber and glue, Bubba is making a knuckle sandwich. After all, these are the manners he is learning at home.

That is just school yard politics. Let us talk about adults on an average shopping day. The setting is a mildly warm Texas day in the end of December. Just a few days before Christmas. All the stores have the tinny music of the season blasting out of the speakers. Shoppers are wandering to and fro in a last minute shopper stupor. People are pushing and shoving. No apologies uttered. Grabbing items haphazardly from off the shelf. Change of heart, throw it on a shelf in another department. Who cares anyway, that's what the people get paid for right? Rush, get it don't make eye contact. What is the first thing you notice as you look around when you walk into a store, restaurant or coffee shop? That's right, No one wants to be there. Especially the employees. Not very often do you hear I'll be with you in a moment. It can be frustrating yes? Yes.

Another area that I notice a lack of learned politeness is when you are in the never ending loop of being passed from non-helpful person to non-helpful person on the phone with customer support. The veiled contempt that a customer is shown over the phone is very difficult to deal with. Often I feel like dispensing with good manners and having a nice verbal throw down. Especially after the 3rd or 4th person. More often than not, say with a cable company, you are told it is user error. This makes you feel quiet bright. Am I right? I think I am.

www.made-from-india.com provides a huge verity of plastic & rubber product and their manufacturer, suppliers, exporters.

Let's not even talk about what happens as we drive about. How about people calling to telemarket at your home? Doesn't that feel like an invasion? Not so polite. I don't mean to be so negative. It would just be so much more of a peaceful and quiet world to live in if we were all a bit more polite and nicer to one another.

Benefits of Rubber Feet, Rubber Bumpers, Bumper Feet and Plastic Bumpers

Rubber feet give quality traction, exceptional shock absorbing feature and unlike natural rubber they have superior non-marking qualities and excellent resistance to stress cracking. They are used in different industries including the industrial, consumer, household sector and many more. Good quality rubber feet are manufactured by using 'Santoprene' thermoplastic rubber. Other materials like polypropylene and polyethylene are used when required.

Rubber feet are low-skid rubber attachments that are connected to the bottom of objects to prevent slippage, limit floor scratching and soften sound. Rubber Feet are also known as rubber bumpers. These rubber bumpers serve as high performance feet, stoppers, or spacers, absorbing vibration, noise and impact to prevent damage to most surfaces. They offer excellent non-slip properties, do not mark surfaces and blends into surrounding furniture, being made in a variety of colors, to fit almost every application.

Rubber bumpers, rubber feet can be custom made to fit the requirements of various clients. There are different manufacturers available to offer customized rubbers, feet and the customers can choose the one best suited for them. The clients have certain specifications and it is always advisable to go for authentic and reliable manufacturers.

Bumper feet are available in crystal clear format and are practically invisible when applied to colored or see-through surfaces such as glass or plastic. Quality bumper feet use no plasticizers, oils or fillers which are widely used in subsidized products.

Good plastic bumpers are one piece construction made of environment friendly raw materials and are excellent for both outdoor as well as indoor use. They are durable, convenient and are available at the most affordable prices. They are developed, keeping in mind the various utility of the plastic feet. It perfectly fits the bill for all sorts of use as they are available in various shapes and sizes. Plastic bumpers can be available in different colors as per required by the client. They can be tailor-made to meet the requirements.

Let's Save Our Planet Through Plastic Recycling

One of the frequently used products in U.S is plastic. Plastic is used for varied purposes. It is used for packaging consumer products, for carrying food and drinks, building toys, and for almost every conceivable reason. There are more than 10,000 varied kinds of plastic to be found. The product is versatile enough to be blended with different elements and thus it has limitless utility.

However, plastic contains petroleum - a non-renewable resource. Thus greater the amount of petroleum burnt to create newer plastic products, the higher is the amount of greenhouse gas emission. Plastic recycling is the answer to this menace.

What is plastic recycling?

Plastic recycling refers to recovery of scrap and waste plastics. The recovered scrap plastic is reprocessed into different useful products, may be absolutely different in shape or form from the original state. As an example, soft drink bottles are melted down and cast as plastic tables and chairs.

Some plastics for recycling

The most common and easiest form of plastic to recycle is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PETE). This is assigned number 1. Medicine containers and soda water bottles may be recycled to form sleeping bags, life jackets, rope, car bumpers, etc.

The polyethylene or high-density plastics are the heavy containers of laundry detergents, shampoo, motor oil, etc. This form of plastic has been assigned number 2 and is recycled into plastic lumber, toys and piping.

www.made-from-india.com is a b2b portal which provide manufacturer, suppliers & exporters for plastic products. Plastics and Rubber Products have become a common feature in homes. For that matter even Industries have fallen hook, line and sinker for the two. Two major factors like credibility and versatility have been driving their demand. Considering the soaring demand for plastic and rubber products, we have come up with a common platform for all plastic and rubber manufacturers, suppliers, exporters and buyers, to trade with each other at the click of a mouse. A few years back, transactions used to take place ‘on –field’, with both parties sitting face-to-face, before closing the deal. Here, the major plus point is the transaction is taking place ‘on-line’ and you can strike a profitable deal right away. Sitting face-to-face can be done anytime.

Polyvinyl chloride plastic used in shower curtains, baby bottle nipples is given number 3. Wrapping films, sandwich bags contain low-density polyethylene is assigned number 4 while polypropylene containers found in Tupperware is number 5. These have comparatively low rates of recyclability. The hardest form of plastic to recycle is one which is composed of all the different forms of plastics mentioned above and is assigned number 7.

Eco Key Chains - Earth Friendly Recycled PVC Products

What is an Eco-Key Chain Anyway?

An eco-key chain is a key chain that is earth friendly and does not contain previously unused virgin materials and is made from sustainable or post consumer materials. Most key chains and key fobs are made from leather, wood, metal or plastic that is virgin or pre-consumer based, meaning it was made from previously unused material.

Eco-key chains are commonly made from recycled, post-consumer materials like recycled leather scraps, wood, paper or reclaimed PVC resin. Some people think that because a product is made of leather or wood, it is eco-friendly. This is not always the case, just ask the cow or tree how friendly they feel about it. But recycled leather and wood products can be recycled and re-used to create post-consumer, recycled items.

This is now also becoming true in the plastics manufacturing arena. Whereas manufacturers in China and abroad continue to manufacture with virgin, pre-consumer plastics which can contain many unnecessary and hazardous ingredients like melamine and cadmium, some USA manufacturers are leading the charge to develop greener methods of production.

One California based company is reusing the waste resins that would normally go into making garden hoses and is now keeping it on site to fill the growing demand for recycled, eco-friendly or green 3D rubber emblems and 95% post consumer PVC key chains for use in the ad specialty and promotional products industries. They also use this reclaimed, recycled resin to produce other items like labels for clothing, beverage coasters, hang tags and other soft plastic items that were once only offered in non-recycled form.

Why Use Reclaimed or Recycled PVC for Key Chains?

The reason there is a growing demand for recycled plastic products is due to the growing awareness of consumers to the hazardous amounts of virgin plastic filling our landfills and oceans. Daily, consumers are hit by a barrage of commercials informing us that plastic water bottles take a lifetime to biodegrade. Some experts estimate that it could take anywhere from 450-1000 years for them to degrade in a landfill, depending on the type of plastic and the size of the bottle.

Add to that alarming statistic, the fact that there is a floating soup of plastic twice the size of the continental United States and weighing approximately 100 million tons swirling around in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and you can see why people are getting concerned. As a result of this new-found awareness, consumers are reacting by demanding that the products they buy be not only safe, but eco-friendly and earth conscious.

Two major factors like credibility and versatility have been driving their demand. Considering the soaring demand for plastic and rubber products, we have come up with a common platform for all plastic and rubber manufacturers, suppliers, exporters and buyers, to trade with each other at the click of a mouse. A few years back, transactions used to take place ‘on –field’, with both parties sitting face-to-face, before closing the deal. Here, the major plus point is the transaction is taking place ‘on-line’ and you can strike a profitable deal right away. Sitting face-to-face can be done anytime.

Native American Elders would often teach their tribes to bear in mind that the things they do today will affect the next seven generations. Since generations typically span about 25-50 years, seven generations would be equal to 175-350 years, or about 100 years short of the best estimate for the time needed for one plastic bottle to degrade.