Identifying Plastics Toolkit flow chart Museum of Design in Plastics. Key:

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Helena Byrd
6 years ago
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1 This document has been designed to signpost you towards identifying the materials of which objects in your collection might be made. It is made for people with little or no knowledge of plastics or the manufacturing processes associated with them. Key: This box indicates which materials have yet to be eliminated. The following materials are included: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Casein formaldehyde Cellulose acetate Cellulose nitrate High density polyethylene Low density polyethylene Melamine formaldehyde Phenol formaldehyde Polyamide Polycarbonate Polyethylene terephthalate Polymethyl methacrylate Polypropylene Polystyrene Polyvinyl chloride (plasticised and unplasticised) Urea formaldehyde This is by no means an exhaustive list of plastics but includes the materials you are likely to come across in your collections. You can find out more information about the materials listed by visiting: Z_plastics This shape indicates a question to be answered. Arrows show the direction you should follow. This shape indicates when the chart flows on to another page. This shape indicates the possible material of which you object is made. It will often suggest that you consult the website: Z_plastics On pages 10 & 11 you will find some short cuts and trade names which may help you identify the material. Page 1

2 . Go to point 4 on page 4. Is it transparent?, I can see right through it. It could have colour or be completely colourless., it is translucent when I hold it up to the light. Go to point 2 on page 3. (no filler) Is it rigid?. It has some flex. Go to point 1 on page 3., it has no flex at all. (no filler) (no filler) Does it sound tinny when tapped? (no filler) Does it smell of carbolic acid when rubbed? (no filler) Page 2

3 Point 1, it has a bit of flex. Point 2, it is translucent when I hold it up to the light. Does it date from after the 1950s? Does it sound tinny when tapped? (only in the form of a table tennis ball) Does it smell of camphor when rubbed? Does it feel waxy?. Go to point 3 on page 4. Page 3

4 Point 3, it does not feel waxy. Point 4, it is not transparent. Does it have any flex to the material? Is it dark in colour? eg black, brown, green, red. Go to point 7 on page 7. Does it smell sulphurous or y? Does it feel waxy?. Go to point 5 on page 5. Does it have a mottled finish? Page 4

5 Point 5, it does not have a mottled Does the object date from before the 1930s? Does it smell sulphurous or y?. Go to point 6 on page 6. Does it sound tinny when tapped? Does it smell of carbolic acid when rubbed? Page 5

6 Point 6, it does not sound tinny when tapped. Does it have any flex in the material? Does it smell of carbolic acid when rubbed? (plasticised) (unplasticised) Page 6

7 Point 7, it is pale or bright in colour Does it feel waxy? Does it sound tinny when tapped? Does it have any flex in the material?. Go to point 9 on page 9.. Go to point 8 on page 8. Page 7

8 Point 8, it has some flex to the material. Does it imitate tortoiseshell, ivory or amber or does it have a pearlised finish? Does it date from after the 1950s? (as ping pong balls) Does it smell of camphor when rubbed? Page 8

9 Point 9, it is rigid. Does it date from after the 1950s? Page 9

10 Short cut Trade names Does it have a living hinge? it is almost certainly polypropylene often has a small moulded bird s wing and / or the words bois durci Polystyrene sounds tinny when tapped Phenol formaldehyde can smell or carbolic acid Polymethyl methacrylate has a dull sound when tapped Cellulose nitrate can have a smell of camphor especially noticeable inside lidded containers Cellulose acetate can have a smell of vinegar Vulcanised has a sulphurous y smell Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene yellows as it degrades Polyethylene has a waxy feel Recycling triangles and numbers were introduced in 1988 and the numbers mean the following: 1 = or E, 2 =, 3 =, 4 =, 5 =, 6 =, 7 = other Alkathene = low density polyethylene or high density polyethylene Argosy = melamine formaldehyde Bakelite = phenol formaldehyde (filled or unfilled) Bandalasta = urea formaldehyde Beatl = urea formaldehyde Beetle = urea formaldehyde Bexoid = cellulose acetate Carvacraft = phenol formaldehyde (unfilled) Catalin = phenol formaldehyde (unfilled) Celanese = cellulose acetate Celluloid = cellulose nitrate Clarifoil = cellulose acetate Corian = polymethyl methacrylate Cycolac = acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Darvic = unplasticised polyvinyl chloride Ebena = Ebonite = Erinoid = casein formaldehyde Estron = cellulose acetate Galatith = casein formaldehyde Gaydon = melamine formaldehyde Hostalen = high density polyethylene Lacqrene = polystyrene Lactoid = casein formaldehyde Lexan = polycarbonate LingaLonga = urea formaldehyde Lucite = polymethyl methacrylate Makrolon = polycarbonate Melaware = melamine formaldehyde Melinex = polyethylene terephthalate Melmac = melamine formaldehyde Melmex = melamine formaldehyde Mouldrite = phenol formaldehyde (filled) Mylar = polyethylene terephthalate Nestorite = phenol formaldehyde (filled) vodur = acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Page 10

11 Nylon = polyamide Rigidex = high density polyethylene Oroglas = polymethyl methacrylate Roanoid = phenol formaldehyde (filled) Parkesine = cellulose nitrate Scarab = urea formaldehyde Perspex = polymethyl methacrylate Styron = polystyrene Plaskon = urea formaldehyde Tenite = cellulose acetate Plastacele = cellulose acetate Tyvek = low density polyethylene Plexiglass = polymethyl methacrylate Vulcanite = hard vulcanised Polystyrol = polystyrene Welvic = unplasticised polyvinyl chloride Polythene = low density polyethylene or high density polyethylene Xylonite = cellulose nitrate Propathene = polypropylene Page 11

Identifying Plastics Toolkit flow chart - Museum of Design in Plastics. Key:

Identifying Plastics Toolkit flow chart - Museum of Design in Plastics. Key: This document has been designed to signpost you towards identifying the materials of which objects in your collection might be made. It is made for people with little or no knowledge of plastics or the