All
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| ABS |
A terpolymer manufactured from acrylonitrile and styrene liquids and butadiene gas. Resin can be produced by polymerization, grafting, physical mixture, or combinations. |
| Absorption |
Penetration of one material into the mass of another by molecular or chemical action. |
| Accumulator |
An auxiliary ram used to provide fast delivery of plasticated melt. Used on injection of blow molding operations. A cylinder is filled with plasticated melt between shots by an extruder. This cylinder then stores the melt for the next shot. Mostly used for large pan molding. In injection molding, the accumulator is a nitrogen-filled bag inside a hydraulic cylinder and is used to produce higher injection speeds. |
| Acetal |
Rigid thermoplastic produced by the reaction of purified formaldehyde. Molecular structure is linear acetal with unbranched polyoxymethylene chains. |
| Acetate |
A derivative of acetic acid. |
| Acrylic |
A synthetic resin of acrylic or methacrylic esters. Methacrylates are usually methyl, ethyl, butyl, lauryl or stearyl. Acrylics are widely known for their clarity properties. |
| Acrylite® |
Acrylite acrylic sheet is a lightweight, rigid and weather-resistant thermoplastic. It is dimensionally stable and resistant to breakage, and can be easily sawed, machined, heat-formed and cemented. ACRYLITE is a registered trademark of Evonik Industries. |
| Actuators |
Device that controls the movement or mechanical action of a machine indirectly usually accomplished by means of pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders. |
| Adapter |
A long, heated cylindrical pipe used to convey molten resin from an extruder into an extrusion die. |
| Adapter Plate |
A plate which holds the mold to a platen in injection molding. |
| Additive |
Any substance compounded into resin to modify its properties. Additives can be antioxidants, colorants, pigments, light stabilizers, etc. |
| Adiabatic |
A process condition in which no heat is deliberately added or removed. Used to describe extrusion methods where heat is derived from mechanical action of the screw to an extent that sufficient heat is generated to melt the resin. |
| Adsorption |
Adhesion of the molecules of one material to the surface of the solid or liquid with which they are in contact. |
| Air Ring |
In blown film extrusion, a circular manifold mounted above the extrusion die used to distribute an even flow of air against a blown film bubble. |
| Alloy |
Terms in plastics used to describe a blend of polymers with other polymers or copolymers, usually where the properties of the alloy exceed those of the constituents (see Synergism). |
| Alucobond® |
Alucobond ACM consists of two smooth aluminum facers thermobonded to various thicknesses of polyethylene in a continuous process forming a prefinished panel with a premium paint and finishes that are available in a spectrum of attractive standard colors along with the matching of custom colors. Alucobond is a registered trademark of Alcan Composites USA. |
| Amorphous |
Having no crystallinity. At processing temperatures, most plastics are amorphous. |
| Anisotropy |
The tendency of a material to have properties that differ according to the direction of measurement. |
| Annealing |
The process in which a molded plastic pan is heated to a predetermined temperature maintained at this temperature for a predetermined time and slowly cooled at a predetermined rate to relieve stresses. |
| Antiblock Agent |
Additive incorporated in film to prevent the adhesion (sticking) between touch layers of film during fabrication, storage, or use. For example, these additives can be diatomaceous earth, silica, and talc. |
| Antimony Oxide |
A white, odorless, fine powder widely used as a flame retardant in plastics. |
| Antioxidant |
An additive, which inhibits the degradation and oxidation of a material when, exposed to ambient air during processing and subsequently in the end product form. |
| Antistatic Agent |
Additive which imparts a slight degree of electrical conductivity to plastics, permitting the dissipation of static electricity. |
| Artifical Weathering |
Process of exposing plastics to environmental conditions developed by laboratory methods designed to simulate actual outdoor exposure. Laboratory conditions are usually intensified in comparison to actual outdoor conditions. |
| Ash Content |
Solid residue left after a polymer has been incinerated at high temperatures sufficient to drive off all combustibles. |
| Atactic Polymer |
Polymers with a random arrangement of radical groups above and below a molecular chain usually used in reference to polypropylene resins. |
| Average Molecular Weight |
Molecular weight of polymers is determined by viscosity of the material in solution at a specific temperature. This results in an average molecular weight of the molecular chains independent of specific chain length. The value obtained falls between weight and number average molecular weight. |
| Axpet® |
Axpet thermoplastic polyester sheets is suited for product and advertising presentations such as folding displays, poster protection , price tags, cases and trays. It is also suitable for packaging for food and pharmaceutical products. Axpet has exceptional cold-bending properties, good chemical resistance, flexibility. Axpet offers environment-friendly application in a high-quality polyester sheet. Axpet is a registered trade mark of Bayer corp. |
| Back Pressure |
In extrusion, the resistance of molten polymer to flow forward caused by a pressure difference between two points along the path of flow. In molding, the resistance provided by the hydraulic system to the screw to retard its screw back time. |
| Backing Plate |
In injection molding, a plate used as a support for cavity blocks, guide pins, bushings, etc. Sometimes referred to as support plate. |
| Balanced Runner |
A runner system in injection molding which designs all cavities in equal distance from the sprue. |
| Banbury Mixer |
A compounding apparatus consisting of two contra-rotating spiral-shaped blades encased in intersecting cylindrical housings so as to leave a ridge between blades. |
| Band Heater |
Electrical heating units fitted to extruder barrels, adapters, dies, nozzles, etc. utilized for heating the polymer to a desired temperature. |
| Barrel |
The tubular portion of the extruder or injection molding machine in which the extruder screw is placed and rotates. |
| Barrier Resins |
Polymers which have very low permeability to gases. |
