Thermoplastic materials

Confirm that the plastic is a thermoplastic by heating a wire in a match and touching plastic with hot wire. Melting confirms that it is thermoplastic otherwise it is a thermoset.

Drop testing

Drop the sample onto a hard surface.

Results

"Metallic" ringing noise generally indicates the presence of styrene based polymer. Styrene based polymers.

Absence of "metallic" ringing noise means it is not generally a styrene based polymer (unless it is a foamed plastic, in which case the foam will be evident or it may be High Impact Polystyrene, PS-HI in which case it will have the PS type of feel to it). Non-styrene based polymers.

 

Last edited: 05/04/04

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