Plastic mesh tells about engineering plastics

Classification of engineering plastics:

Engineering plastics can be divided into general engineering plastics and special engineering plastics. The former main varieties are polyamide, polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene, modified polyphenylene ether and thermoplastic polyester five general engineering plastics; the latter mainly refers to engineering plastics with heat resistance up to 150 ° C, the main varieties are polyimide , polyphenylene sulfide, polysulfone, aromatic polyamide, polyarylate, polyphenyl ester, polyaryl ether ketone, liquid crystal polymer and fluororesin.

The performance characteristics of engineering plastics are mainly:

(1) Compared with general-purpose plastics, it has excellent heat resistance and cold resistance, and has excellent mechanical properties in a wide temperature range, and is suitable for use as a structural material;

(2) Good corrosion resistance, less environmental impact, and good durability;

(3) Compared with metal materials, it is easy to process, has high production efficiency, and can simplify procedures and save costs;

(4) Good dimensional stability and electrical insulation;

(5) Light weight, high specific strength, and outstanding friction and wear resistance.

History of engineering plastics:

Engineering plastics developed rapidly in the 1950s. Although nylon 66 resin was successfully developed and put into production as early as 1939, it was mainly used in the manufacture of synthetic fibers. It was not until the 1950s that it broke through the traditional use of pure fibers and was shaped to make plastic. Engineering plastics have really developed rapidly. After the successful development of POM and polycarbonate in the late 1950s, their emergence is of great significance. Due to the high crystallinity of polyoxymethylene, it imparts excellent mechanical properties, and for the first time makes plastics a material that can replace metals and rank among the structural materials. Later, with the successful development of acetal copolymer and the popularity of screw injection molding machines, the important position of engineering plastics in the field of materials was further established. Polycarbonate is a transparent engineering plastic with excellent comprehensive properties. It is widely used and is one of the fastest growing engineering plastics. In the field of engineering plastics, its output and consumption rank second only to polyamide.

In 1961, DuPont developed a polyimide in the United States, opening the road to the development of special engineering plastics. The emergence of polyimide has also promoted the development of many heat-resistant engineering plastics such as polysulfone, polyphenylene sulfide and polybenzimidazole, which have had a profound impact on the development of the plastics industry.

In 1964, GM invested its polyphenylene ether resin in industrial production.

In 1980, ICI developed a special engineering plastic polyetheretherketone (PEEK) with a melting point of up to 336 °C. PEEK has attracted great attention due to its excellent heat resistance, radiation resistance and chemical resistance, and its ability to be injection molded. Composite materials made from glass or carbon fiber based on PEEK have been used in aerospace and aerospace applications.

The successful development of thermotropic liquid crystal polymers in the mid-1980s was another major event in the history of the development of specialty engineering plastics. The liquid crystal polymer has excellent heat resistance and can be used at temperatures up to 200 ° C. It has self-reinforcing, high strength, high modulus, chemical resistance, etc. It has low melt viscosity and convenient molding, and has a very wide application in the electronics industry. prospect.

Application of engineering plastics:

Compared with general-purpose plastics, engineering plastics can achieve higher requirements in terms of mechanical properties, durability, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, etc., and are more convenient to process and can replace metal materials. Engineering plastics are widely used in electrical and electronic, automotive, construction, office equipment, machinery, aerospace and other industries. It has become an international trend to replace steel and plastic. Engineering plastics has become the fastest growing field in the plastics industry in the world. Its development not only supports the national pillar industries and modern high-tech industries, but also promotes the transformation of traditional industries and product structure.

Engineering plastics are increasingly used in automobiles, mainly used as bumpers, fuel tanks, instrument panels, body panels, doors, lampshades, fuel pipes, radiators, and engine-related components.

In engineering, engineering plastics can be used for mechanical parts such as bearings, gears, screw nuts, seals, and other mechanical parts such as housings, covers, handwheels, handles, fasteners, and pipe joints.

In electronic appliances, engineering plastics can be used for wire and cable coating, printed circuit boards, insulating films and other insulating materials and electrical equipment structural parts.

In household appliances, engineering plastics can be used in refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, televisions, electric fans, vacuum cleaners, electric irons, microwave ovens, rice cookers, radios, combination audio equipment and lighting fixtures.

In the chemical industry, engineering plastics can be used in chemical equipment such as heat exchangers, chemical equipment linings, and chemical pipelines such as pipes and pipe fittings, valves, pumps, etc.

Development status of engineering plastics in China

Due to the rapid development of China's automobile, electronics and construction industries, China has become the fastest growing demand for engineering plastics in the world. According to analysis, with the continuous development of the domestic economy, the demand for engineering plastics will further increase, and the development prospects of China's engineering plastics industry are very broad. In the home appliance industry, the annual demand for engineering plastics for refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners and all kinds of small household appliances will reach 600,000 tons. The amount of engineering plastics used in the construction of communication infrastructure and railways and highways is even more alarming. It is expected that the total demand will reach 4.5 million tons in the next few years.

In 2010, China's engineering plastics consumption reached 2.443 million tons, an increase of 11% year-on-year. It is the fastest growing global demand; in 2011, China's engineering plastics consumption was 2.72 million tons, an increase of 11.34%. It is estimated that by 2013, China's engineering plastics consumption will reach 3.37 million tons, and in 2015 it will reach 4.17 million tons.