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

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Bonnie Lawson
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 ABS Casein formaldehyde CF Cellulose acetate CA Cellulose nitrate CN High density polyethylene HDPE Low density polyethylene LDPE Melamine formaldehyde MF Phenol formaldehyde PF Polyamide PA Polycarbonate PC Polyethylene terephthalate PET Polymethyl methacrylate PMMA Polypropylene PP Polystyrene PS Polyvinyl chloride (plasticised and unplasticised) PVC Urea formaldehyde UF 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: 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: 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) (unplasticised) 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? (unplasticised) (only in the form of a table tennis ball) (plasticised) Does it smell of camphor when rubbed? (plasticised and unplasticised) 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. (unplasticised) common uses, manufacturing processes and degradation (plasticised) 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 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 = PET or PETE, 2 = HDPE, 3 = PVC, 4 = LDPE, 5 = PP, 6 = PS, 7 = other Trade names 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 = Bois durci Ebonite = Hard vulcanised 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 Oroglas = polymethyl methacrylate Parkesine = cellulose nitrate Perspex = polymethyl methacrylate Plaskon = urea formaldehyde Plastacele = cellulose acetate Plexiglass = polymethyl methacrylate Polystyrol = polystyrene Polythene = low density polyethylene or high density polyethylene Propathene = polypropylene Rigidex = high density polyethylene Roanoid = phenol formaldehyde (filled) Scarab = urea formaldehyde Styron = polystyrene Tenite = cellulose acetate Tyvek = low density polyethylene Vulcanite = hard vulcanised Welvic = unplasticised polyvinyl chloride Xylonite = cellulose nitrate 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