Advantages of plastic
Easy to process, easy to manufacture (easy to shape)
Even if the geometry of the product is quite complicated, as long as it can be released from the mold, it is relatively easy to manufacture. Therefore, its efficiency is far better than that of metal processing, especially injection molded products. After a process, a very complex finished product can be manufactured.
Can be freely colored according to needs, or made into transparent products
Plastics can be used to make colorful, transparent and beautiful products, and they can still be colored at will, which can increase their commodity value and give people a bright feeling.
Can be made into lightweight and high-strength products
Compared with metal and ceramic products, it has lighter weight, better mechanical properties, and higher specific strength (ratio of strength to density), so it can be made into lightweight and high-strength products. Especially after filling glass fiber, its strength can be improved.
In addition, because plastics are light in weight and can save energy, their products are becoming lighter.
No rust and corrosion
Plastics are generally resistant to corrosion by various chemicals and will not rust or corrode as easily as metals. There is no need to worry about the erosion of acid, alkali, salt, oil, medicine, moisture and mold when using it.
Not easy to transfer heat, good insulation performance
Due to the large specific heat and low thermal conductivity of plastic, it is not easy to transfer heat, so its heat preservation and heat insulation effect is good.
Can make conductive parts and insulating products
Plastic itself is a very good insulating material. At present, it can be said that there is no electrical product that does not use plastic. However, if the plastic is filled with metal powder or scraps for molding, it can also be made into a product with good electrical conductivity.
Excellent shock absorption and noise reduction performance, good light transmission
Plastics have excellent shock absorption and noise reduction properties; transparent plastics (such as PMMA, PS, PC, etc.) can be used to make transparent plastic products (such as lenses, signs, cover plates, etc.).
Low manufacturing cost
Although the plastic raw material itself is not so cheap, because the plastic is easy to process and the equipment cost is relatively low, the product cost can be reduced.
Disadvantages of plastic
Poor heat resistance and easy to burn
This is the biggest disadvantage of plastics. Compared with metal and glass products, its heat resistance is far inferior. The temperature is slightly higher, it will deform, and it is easy to burn. When burning, most plastics can generate a lot of heat, smoke and toxic gases; even for thermosetting resins, it will smoke and peel off when it exceeds 200 degrees Celsius.
As the temperature changes, the properties will change greatly
It goes without saying that high temperature, even if it encounters low temperature, various properties will change greatly.
Low mechanical strength
Compared with the same volume of metal, the mechanical strength is much lower, especially for thin products, this difference is particularly obvious.
Prone to corrosion by special solvents and chemicals
Generally speaking, plastics are less susceptible to chemical corrosion, but some plastics (such as: PC, ABS, PS, etc.) have very poor properties in this regard; in general, thermosetting resins are quite resistant to corrosion.
Poor durability and easy aging
Whether it is strength, surface gloss or transparency, it is not durable, and creeps under load. In addition, all plastics are afraid of ultraviolet rays and sunlight, and will age under the action of light, oxygen, heat, water and atmospheric environment.
Vulnerable to damage, dust and dirt
The surface hardness of plastics is relatively low and is easily damaged; in addition, because it is an insulator, it is electrostatically charged, so it is easy to be contaminated with dust.
Poor dimensional stability
Compared with metal, plastic has a high shrinkage rate, so it is difficult to ensure dimensional accuracy. In the case of moisture, moisture absorption or temperature changes during use, the size is easy to change over time.
