Judith Lievens

What kind of materialsare there?

POLYMERS

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

ABS = Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (C8H8)x· (C4H6)y·(C3H3N)z)

• thermoplastic melting point 105°C

• ABS can be used between -25 and +60°C

• stronger than pure polystyrene

• styrene gives it a shiny, impervious surface

• butadiene (rubbery) provides resilience even at low temperatures

• can be recycled

• !! Hardness, gloss, toughness, electrical insulation, light weight, injection

molding & extrusion possible

• dissolves in acetone

• Examples: car bumper, lego, golf club heads, canoes, luggage, small

kitchen appliances, toys,…

PolypropylenePP = polyprop(yl)ene

• thermoplastic polymer

• applications: packaging, textiles, plastic parts, chairs, loudspeakers, …

• unusally resistant to chemical solvents, bases and acids

• The MOST used polymer

• good resistance to fatigue

• Tough and flexible

• melting temperature 171°C

• extrusion and injection molding

• recyclable

• Very cheap

Polybutylene TerephthalatePBT = Polybutylene terephthalate

• thermoplastic engineering polymer for special applications

• Good chemical, thermical and mecanical properties

• injection molding possible

• type of polyester

• mechanically strong

• Heat-resistant up tot 150°C (or 200°C with glass-fibre reinforcement)

• when treated with flame retardants non combustible

• can be made out of PET

METALS

NichromeNichrome = alloy of 80% nickel and 20% chromium

• non-magnetic

• resistance wire current is passed through to produce heat

• corrosion-resistant

• high melting point 1400°C

• used in electric heating elements eg hair dryers, ovens, toasters

• expensive due to its high nickel content

• in toaster the reached temperature is 154°C (requiered temperature for

toasting)

• temperature varies when alloy/current/voltage differs

Aluminium• most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust

• low density

• resistant to corrosion

• soft – durable – lightweight – ductile – malleable metal

• nonmagnetic and nonsparking

• density & stiffness (Al)=1/3 density & stiffness (steel)

• easily machined – cast – drawn – extruded

• silvery reflection

• thermal and electrical conductor

• 100% recyclable

• applications: packaging foil, lightning poles, cases for equipment, paint,…

OTHER

Mica Heater PlateMica sheet is composed of muscovite mica paper and a small amount of heat

resistant silicon binder.

• electrical and thermal insulation

• retains properties even after being exposed to heat

• resistant up to temperatures of 500°C

• application: toasters, hair dryers, electric rice cookers, electric ovens,…

Nichrome wires are wound around it

Muscovite

• the most common mica

• a phyllosilicate mineral of aluminium and potassium

• found in sheets