Plastics in the construction industry

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Plastic is the generic name for a family of synthetic materials derived from

. It is often product of two or more components.

There are many families of plastics and polymers being used in construction industry. Examples of plastics used in building are:

• Acrylic
• Composites
• Expanded Polystyrene
• Polycarbonate
• Polyethylene
• Polypropylene
• Polyvinyl Chloride

in building materials. Some of these properties are:

Merits

• Plastics are strong yet lightweight, and so they are easy to transport & manoeuvre.
• They are durable, knock-and scratch resistant with excellent weatherability.
• They do not rot or corrode.
• Plastics are easy to install; many have a snap-fit kind of jointing procedures.
• Plastics offer limitless possibilities in design achieved by extrusion, bending, moulding etc.
• They can be given any range of colours by adding pigments.
• The plastics are low conductors of heat and thus are used as insulation materials in green building concepts.
• The plastics products can achieve tight seals.
• Plastic doesn't break easily
• They can be sawn and nailed employing standard carpentry tools and skills.
• They can be easily removed.
• They are poor
  conductors
  of electricity.

Disadvantages and limitations

• Plastics may be degraded under the action of direct sunlight which reduces their mechanical strength.
• Many plastics are flammable unless treated.
• High embodied energy content
• Low modulus of elasticity: makes them unsuitable for load-bearing applications.
• Thermoplastics
  are subject to creep and soften at moderate temperatures.
• Thermal expansion for most plastics is high: adequate thermal movement has to be allowed in detailing.
• Many types of plastics are not biodegradable thus cause pollution when they accumulate.
• Recycling and reuse of plastics materials within construction are limited.

Products

Some of the examples below are Products of Plastics in the Construction industry:

• Pipes  : Electrical Conduits, Rain Water & Sewage pipes, Plumbing, Gas Distributions.
• Cables : PVC Insulation on cables, Insulation Tapes .
• Floorings : Flooring tiles & Rolls .
• Domes / sky lights : Opaque as well as transparent.
• Roofing  : Coloured or Double skinned for insulation.
• Windows & doors : Extruded sections for Door and windows and panels.
• Storage tanks : Storage tanks.
• Hardware accessories : Washers, Nut bolts, Sleeves, Anchoring wires.
• Temporary structures: Guard cabins, tents
• Insulation materials: PVC sheets, insulating membranes.

References