Type of plastic polymer: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETE)
Properties: Clarity, strength, toughness, barrier to gas and moisture
Common Applications: Soft drink, water and salad dressing bottles; peanut butter and jam jars
Type of plastic polymer: High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
Properties: HDPE is somewhat harder and more opaque then PET and it can withstand rather higher temperatures (120° Celsius for short periods, 110° Celsius continuously).
Common Applications: HDPE is resistant to many different solvents and has a wide variety of applications, including: Bottle caps, food storage containers, laundry detergent bottles, milk jugs, hard hats, natural gas and water pipe, plastic bags and storage sheds to name a few.
Type of plastic polymer: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or V)
Properties: Versatility, clarity, ease of blending, strength, toughness, resistance to grease, oil and chemicals, good resistance to weather and good electrical resistance.
Common Applications: Electrical boxes, rain gutters, plumbing pipe.
Type of plastic polymer: Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
Properties: Has strength, toughness, flexibility, ease of sealing, barrier to moisture. It is also easy to process.
Common Applications: Light bags for bread and dry cleaning. Food bags. Flexible bottles for mustard and ketchup.
Type of plastic polymer: Polypropylene (PP)
Properties: Strength, toughness, resistance to heat, chemicals, grease and oil, versatile, barrier to moisture.
Common Applications: Catsup bottles, yogurt containers and margarine tubs, medicine bottles
Type of plastic polymer: Polystyrene (PS)
Properties: Easily formed, versatility, insulation, clarity
Common Applications: Compact disc jackets, food service applications, grocery store meat trays, egg cartons,
aspirin bottles, cups, plates, cutlery.
Type of plastic polymer: Other plastics, including acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate, and
polylactic acid (a bioplastic), and multilayer combinations of different plastics (OTHER or O)
Properties: Dependent on resin or combination of resins used
Common Applications: 3-5 gallon containers, bottles, plastic lumber applications.
Type of plastic polymer: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Properties: Good for indoor and outdoor applications.
Common Applications: The pipes have a foam core, and the edge of each piece of pipe needs to be glued less than 1 inch for it to maintain resistance against high pressure.
