What Are The Raw Materials For Plastic Products?

The raw materials for plastic products mainly come from the petrochemical industry. Their core component is synthetic resin, supplemented by additives, fillers, plasticizers, and other auxiliary materials. Currently, there are many types of raw materials for plastic products on the market. The following is a detailed explanation based on raw material classification and performance characteristics:

 

Core Raw Material: Synthetic Resin
Synthetic resin is the basic component of plastic products, accounting for 70%-90% of the total raw materials. Its type directly determines the performance of the plastic. Common resins include:

Polyethylene (PE): Polymerized from ethylene monomers, divided into low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). LDPE is soft.

Polypropylene (PP): Made from propylene, it has high temperature resistance and impact resistance.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): Made by polymerizing vinyl chloride, it comes in rigid and flexible forms.

Polystyrene (PS): Divided into general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS). GPPS has high transparency.

Engineering Plastics: Such as polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), which have high strength and heat resistance.

 

 

Auxiliary Materials: Additives and Fillers

To improve the properties of plastics, the following auxiliary materials are added:

Plasticizers: Reduce the hardness of plastics and improve their flexibility; commonly used in flexible PVC products.

Stabilizers: Prevent the decomposition of plastics during processing or use.

Fillers: Reduce costs and improve performance.

Colorants: Give plastics color; divided into organic dyes and inorganic pigments.

Flame retardants: Improve the fire resistance of plastics.

 

Raw Material Selection and Industry Standards

The selection of raw materials for plastic products requires comprehensive consideration of performance requirements, cost, and environmental requirements:

Performance Matching: For high-temperature resistance, PP or PC are preferred; for transparency, GPPS or PC are more suitable.

Cost Optimization: General-purpose products often use LDPE, while high-end products use ABS or PC.

Environmental Compliance: The EU RoHS directive restricts hazardous substances such as lead and mercury; food contact materials must comply with FDA standards.

Recyclability: Materials such as PE, PP, and PET have high recycling rates.