Plastic has recently spread in many aspects of life and industry, from its uses in the manufacture of electronic chips, to the manufacture of water bottles and plastic bags, due to the multiplicity of its materials and raw materials, it comes with different types such as polyethylene, PVC, acrylic, etc., it comes with variable properties Various uses, and today we will show you the most important types of plastic materials and their most famous uses, what are the most commonly used materials in the kitchen, food-safe materials, and materials that are not used with foods or are only used once.
1- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic
It is one of the most famous and most important plastic materials that we deal with almost on a daily basis, and it comes in several forms depending on the method of manufacture, it may come hard or it may come flexible, and it can resist weather conditions, water and gases, thanks to its molecular and chemical structure.
Common uses: edible oil bottles, water bottles, soda and juice bottles, frozen ready-meal cans, and are one-time use only due to the potential for bacteria to grow in them.
2- High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Plastic
High-density polyethylene is one of the strongest and most durable types of plastic. It can withstand many harsh conditions, the most important of which is high or low temperatures. It is widely used in many tools, cans and industries due to its easy recycling and conversion into different things.
Common uses: dishwashing soap bottles, yogurt and juice cans, freezer cans and bags, water bottle caps, protective helmets, car fuel tanks, gas tubes, and can be used multiple times, they don’t transfer chemicals to the items inside with only normal temperatures .
3- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic
This material of plastic is characterized by its purity and its ability to withstand high chemical and biological damage, which makes it very effective in storage. in the leather industry.
Its common uses: furniture, water pipes and tubes, floors, cables, plastic covers, water bottles, banners, and medication strips, and they are used only once due to the damage that may come with their versatility, they affect the body’s hormones and excrete some carcinogens when exposed to a degree High temperature.
4- Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Plastic
It is the absolute most widely used type because it can withstand natural temperatures up to 100°C, although it is not as strong as its high-density counterpart (HDPE), but it is very flexible. Its common uses: garbage bags, laundry bags, rubber food storage bags, some parts in computers and laptops, protective covers, and can be used many times, it does not transfer chemicals to the items inside it with only normal temperatures.
5- Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene (PP) plastic
It is one of the hardest types of plastic, it is also easy to form and recycle when melted, and it bears high temperatures compared to other materials, and it is one of the most food-safe plastic materials.
Common uses: Surgical instruments, bottle caps, food safe containers, packing tapes, plastic water boilers, and plastic bags, and can be used multiple times safely, as they do not transfer chemicals to the items inside and are only at normal temperatures