Plastics in the construction industry

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

Properties

Plastics have properties that make ideal building materials. Some of these properties are:

• 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.
• They can be sawn and nailed employing standard carpentry tools and skills.
• They can be easily removed and recycled.
• They are bad conductors of electricity.

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.

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.

References