Practical Use of Materials
Plastics
Program Support Notes by:
Anthony Golding B.Ed
Produced by:
VEA Pty Ltd
Commissioning Editor:
Darren Gray Cert IV Training &
Assessment
© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
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support notes from our website for your reference.
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Executive Producer:
Simon Garner B.Ed, Dip
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Practical Use of Materials
Plastics
For Teachers
Introduction
Plastics have become a major part of the modern world. From the furniture we use, computers,
mobile devices, through to cars, buildings and planes, plastics are a key component. Products that
are made from plastic are readily mass produced by a number of processes. Practical Use of
Materials – Plastics examines three of these - blow molding, extrusion and injection molding. These
processes will be explained by experts from the plastics industry. The program also outlines the
method for production of plastic products from design brief, testing, manufacture and quality control.
Since waste is part of the manufacturing process, several examples of recycling methods are also
profiled.
Timeline
00:00:00
00:01:00
00:06:17
00:12:02
00:15:12
00:18:20
00:21:01
00:21:57
00:22:24
Introduction
An introduction to plastics
Injection molding
Blow molding
Blow molding – Quality control
Extrusion
Conclusion
Credits
End program
Related Titles
Practical Use of Materials - Metals
Practical Use of Material - Textiles Operations Management
Design and the Environment
Design for Sustainability
Materials for Design Series
Recommended Resources
http://ww2.visy.com.au/packaging/
http://www2.chemistry.msu.edu/faculty/reusch/VirtTxtJml/polymers.htm
http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventions/a/plastics.htm
http://www.packagingtoday.com/introenvironment.htm
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© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Practical Use of Materials
Plastics
Student Worksheet
Initiate Prior Learning
1. What is plastic?
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2. What is plastic made from?
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3. Could plastic raw materials be classified as naturally occurring? Explain.
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4. What is “Thermo plastic”?
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© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Practical Use of Materials
Plastics
Active Viewing Guide
1. What is the main raw material plastics are derived from?
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2. What is a polymer?
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3. What form do the raw materials come in after they are processed?
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4. Describe the process of injection molding.
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5. How is color added to plastic?
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6. Why are thermoplastics important in recycling?
_________________________________________________________________________________
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7. Why is plastic a better material than glass in the making of bottles?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
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© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Practical Use of Materials
Plastics
8. Describe blow molding.
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9. What are the two ways quality control is carried out in blow molding?
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10. What happens to waste plastic left over from the blow molding process?
_________________________________________________________________________________
11. Describe the process of extrusion.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
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© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Practical Use of Materials
Plastics
Extension Activities
1. Give some examples of where plastic has replaced other products in industry.
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2. Plastic is often put forward as a cheap alternative to other materials. Discuss with your class.
3. How dependent is society on plastic? How could this change?
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4. What special requirements have to be considered when using plastic for food related products?
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5. Give examples of recycled plastic products that are in use in the community.
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© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Practical Use of Materials
Plastics
6. Is plastic a long term or short term use product? Explain.
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7. How could we, as a community, promote recycling of plastic?
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8. Investigate and report on the topic: Is plastic more harmful to the environment than other similar
use products?
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© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.
Practical Use of Materials
Plastics
Suggested Student Responses
Active Viewing Guide
1. What is the main raw material plastics are derived from?
Crude oil
2. What is a polymer?
A long chain of linked molecules typically derived from gases.
3. What form do the raw materials come in after they are processed?
Pellets or beads
4. Describe the process of injection molding.
Molten plastic is injected into a mould or “cavity”.
5. How is color added to plastic?
Colored beads are mixed with the plain beads.
6. Why are thermoplastics important in recycling?
They can easily be re-used.
7. Why is plastic a better material than glass in the making of bottles?
Plastic is a far more flexible material.
8. Describe blow molding.
Plastic is inserted into a mould and shaped by compressed air that is blown into the mould.
9. What are the two ways quality control is carried out in blow molding?
The machine and the operator perform quality checks.
10. What happens to waste plastic left over from the blow molding process?
It is recycled.
11. Describe the process of extrusion.
Plastic is shaped by being forced through a hole.
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© Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2010
Reproducing these support notes
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.
Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.