Plastic Facts

What is Plastic? Plastics are synthetic substances which, under heat and pressure, can be shaped, cast in a mould, or extruded as rods or tubes. A relatively new product, the last forty years have seen plastics become commonplace. The invention of new plastics is so rapid that approximately three new plastics are developed each week. The applications for plastics are almost limitless, as evidenced by their increasing use in automotive components from consoles to bumper bars. Plastics generally fall into two broad categories:Thermoplastics and Thermosets.

Thermoplastics are plastics that can be remoulded if heated to their thermoforming temperature, often used for toys, plumbing pipe and a large proportion of automotive interior fixtures.

Thermosets, on the other hand, do not melt with heat. Examples of thermosets are plastic laminate benchtops and fibre glass reinforced polyester resins used for boats. Steering wheels, headrests and armrests are termed "reaction injection" moulded (RIM) plastics and come under the category of thermosets.

How can I care for Plastic? Many plastics break down with age, primarily due to exposure to heat and sunlight. Windscreen shields, tinted windows and rear window louvres all help to protect automotive plastics from fading and cracking. Beware of using strong solvents to clean plastics as some plastics will melt on contact.

Can Damaged Plastic be Repaired? Yes! The most common problem occurring with plastics is accidental damage. Scratches, gouges, holes and cracks in plastics are repairable. With combinations of heat, solvent, and adhesive fusion, excellent results can be achieved on most plastics, whether thermoplastic or thermoset.