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Industry Overview - Polymer
The Polymer Industry comprises four discreet processing areas:
• Plastics Processing
• Polymer Composite Processing
• Rubber Processing
• Sign Manufacture
The industries require innovators, technologists, designers and highly
skilled processing technicians to remain at the forefront of
developments and changes in the worlds demand for more versatile,
lightweight, low cost and energy saving products and applications.
Plastic Processing
The main activities of plastic processing is to convert powder or
plastic granules into different shapes and designs, by applying heat
and pressure using a vast range of microprocessor machines. Some of the
materials you would of heard of and include Nylon, Polycarbonate,
Polystyrene and PVC, but there are hundreds more. End user industries
influence heavily what the plastic sector does and the direction it
takes. They dictate that lighter and stronger materials are used as in
the case of the automotive industry. Decorative and weather resistant
materials for the construction industry. Novel designs and colours for
domestic appliance, electronic and electrical industries. Flexible and
non contaminant materials for the medical and food packaging sector.
The electronic industry requires unique design, complex shapes and
colour combinations to ensure the style of MP3 players, iPOD’s and
mobile phones are attractive and compact for customers.
The packaging sector utilises the greatest amount of material than any
other for protection and containment of products; and in the case of
food and drink, to increase the shelf life of the product in the
supermarket.
The advances in medical and clinical technology have seen enormous
growth in the continued use of plastic material for replacement body
limbs and internal body parts.
The need for more complex products and shapes and applications for the
future that can be manufactured easily, provides the opportunity for
increased use of plastic.
Polymer Composite Processing
Many products are manufactured using polymer composite materials-a
mixture of fibre reinforcement and resins. These have tremendous
lightness but can be as strong as steel, but do not rust.
The marine and leisure industry encompasses many innovative designs for
water craft, from the very small canoe, through to power boats and
cruisers for competition racing. Plus hovercrafts and yachts of which
the largest yacht ever constructed was built and launched in the UK.
TheB&Q trimaran sailed around the world by Ellen MacArthur was also
made from polymer composite material.
Many other products are made from this material because of their
lightness and strength. Racing cycles made from carbon fibre and
costing up to £3500 each. Formula 1 racing cars with their aerodynamic
design and lightness, yet capable of protecting the driver at speeds
exceeding 150mph mph crash.
These engineering properties are now being incorporated into standard
production cars and have been regularly used for motorcycle fairings.
Rubber Processing
Leading on from composites used for body shells in Formula 1 racing
cars, the next most commonly known material referred to in winning a
grand prix, is the rubber used for tyres. The design texture and
stickiness of the tyre can help win a race, but there are many more
applications.
Small offshore power boats use rubber for their flotation collars and
hovercraft are fitted with rubber skirts to retain the cushion of air
that keeps the craft afloat. The use of rubber and elastomers in the
use of “O” rings, seals and gaskets are common place in many
applications, not to mention the space shuttle.
Sign Making
The sign making industry is made up of many small companies
specialising in various types of signage, from street signs, shop
fronts, van & lorry décor and retail outlet signage. And of course
for 24 hour impact day or night, illuminated signs are essential and
not only for information but also for just pure entertainment.
Signs will tell an individual a lot about a company or organisation and
if it wasn’t for signage, you wouldn’t know who they were, what they do
or where you were.
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