100 Key Terms in Polymer Materials and Properties – Industry Glossary & Online Course

Understand Plastics Processing Like a Pro – 100 Key Terms!

Plastics are fundamental materials in modern industries, with diverse properties that make them suitable for applications ranging from automotive to medical devices. Understanding key terms related to polymer materials and their properties is essential for engineers, technologists, designers, and anyone involved in plastics processing.

Below, we present 100 essential terms related to raw materials and their characteristics. Each of these will be explained in detail in our online course, where theory meets practice, and participants will gain access to photos, videos, and real-world applications.

👉 Complete course details and registration link available here!

 

Below, you’ll find a comprehensive glossary of specialized terms that will help you navigate key concepts in polymer materials, their properties, and the additives used to modify and enhance their performance.

👉 Complete course details and registration link available here!

📌 1–25: Fundamental Types of Polymer Raw Materials

1. Thermoplastics – Polymers that can be repeatedly melted and reshaped without undergoing significant chemical change.
2. Thermosetting polymers – Polymers that, once cured, cannot be remelted or reshaped.
3. Elastomers – Polymers with high elasticity and deformation resistance.
4. Polyethylene (PE) – The most commonly used thermoplastic, available in different forms.
5. Polypropylene (PP) – A polymer with high chemical and thermal resistance.
6. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – Used in construction, healthcare, and industrial applications.
7. Polystyrene (PS) – A rigid polymer widely used in packaging and insulation.
8. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – Used in bottle production and synthetic fibers.
9. Polycarbonate (PC) – A transparent polymer known for its high mechanical strength.
10. Polyamides (PA, Nylon) – Strong and wear-resistant engineering plastics.
11. Polyacetal (POM) – A polymer used in precision mechanics and the automotive industry.
12. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, Acrylic, Plexiglass) – A transparent polymer alternative to glass.
13. Fluoropolymers (PTFE, PVDF, FEP) – Highly chemical and heat-resistant plastics.
14. Polysulfone (PSU) – A high-temperature-resistant and chemically stable polymer.
15. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) – An engineering plastic with exceptional thermal and mechanical properties.
16. Copolyesters (COPE, PETG) – Polymers with high chemical resistance and flexibility.
17. Polyurethanes (PU) – Used in foams, elastomers, and protective coatings.
18. Biodegradable polymers (PLA, PHA, PBAT) – Plastics derived from renewable resources.
19. Block and random copolymers – Polymers consisting of different monomer units.
20. Epoxy resins (EP) – Thermosetting resins with high mechanical strength.
21. Phenol-formaldehyde resins (PF, Bakelite) – High-temperature-resistant thermosetting plastics.
22. Melamine resins (MF) – Polymers resistant to chemicals and high temperatures.
23. Saturated and unsaturated polyesters (UP, PET, PBT) – Used in fibers and composites.
24. Polymer composites – Materials that combine polymers with reinforcements such as glass fibers.
25. Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE, TPU, TPO, TPV) – Polymers combining rubber-like elasticity with plastic-like processability.

---

📌 26–50: Physical and Chemical Properties of Raw Materials

26. Melting temperature (Tm) – The temperature at which a polymer transitions from solid to liquid.
27. Glass transition temperature (Tg) – The temperature below which a polymer becomes brittle.
28. Thermal decomposition temperature – The limit at which a polymer begins to degrade.
29. Polymer density – The mass of a material relative to its volume (g/cm³).
30. Elastic modulus (Young’s modulus) – Measures the stiffness of a polymer under stress.
31. Tensile strength – The maximum force a polymer can withstand under tension.
32. Elongation at break – The maximum elongation a material can achieve before breaking.
33. Creep resistance – The ability of a polymer to maintain its shape under long-term stress.
34. Gas barrier properties (e.g., O₂, CO₂) – The polymer’s ability to limit gas permeation.
35. Moisture permeability – The ability of a polymer to absorb or resist moisture.
36. Chemical resistance – The ability of a polymer to withstand exposure to chemicals.
37. Hydrolysis resistance – The polymer’s resistance to degradation in water exposure.
38. Shore hardness – Measures the hardness of elastomers and soft plastics.
39. Thermal conductivity – The material’s ability to conduct heat.
40. Abrasion resistance – The polymer’s durability against wear and friction.
41. Coefficient of friction (COF) – The measure of sliding resistance between polymer surfaces.
42. Processability – The ease with which a polymer can be shaped and manufactured into final products.
43. Polymer crystallinity – The degree of molecular order in a polymer’s structure.
44. Oxidative stability – A polymer’s resistance to oxidation and aging.
45. Weathering resistance – The durability of a polymer when exposed to environmental factors such as UV, rain, and temperature fluctuations.
46. Refractive index – Determines how light bends when passing through a polymer.
47. Transparency and haze – Affects the optical clarity of plastic films and sheets.
48. Electrical resistivity – Defines whether a polymer acts as an insulator or conductor.
49. Flame resistance – The polymer’s ability to resist ignition and burning.
50. Weldability (heat sealability) – The ability of a polymer to be bonded through heat welding.

📌 51–75: Additives and Modifiers for Plastics Properties

51. UV stabilizers – Protect polymers from degradation caused by ultraviolet radiation.
52. Thermal stabilizers – Prevent thermal degradation of plastics during processing.
53. Antioxidants – Reduce oxidation of polymers, increasing their durability.
54. Nucleating agents – Improve polymer crystallization, affecting mechanical properties.
55. Impact modifiers – Enhance material resistance to impact and cracking.
56. Plasticizers – Increase the flexibility and softness of plastics.
57. Slip agents – Reduce friction between polymer layers.
58. Anti-block agents – Prevent plastic surfaces from sticking together.
59. Antistatic agents – Reduce static charge buildup on plastic surfaces.
60. Anti-fog additives – Prevent water vapor condensation on films and packaging.
61. Adhesion promoters – Improve bonding of coatings and adhesives to plastics.
62. Flame retardants – Reduce the flammability of polymer materials.
63. Mineral fillers – Increase rigidity and temperature resistance.
64. Pigments and colorants – Provide color and optical properties to plastics.
65. Processing aids – Facilitate the manufacturing process of plastic products.
66. Mold release agents – Reduce adhesion of molded parts to the mold surface.
67. Antimicrobial additives – Protect plastics from bacterial and fungal growth.
68. Internal lubricants – Reduce friction within the polymer structure.
69. External lubricants – Improve slip and reduce sticking to surfaces.
70. Optical brighteners – Enhance transparency and appearance of plastics.
71. Reinforcing fibers (e.g., glass, carbon, aramid fibers) – Improve mechanical strength of composites.
72. Polymer nanocomposites – Polymers enriched with nanoparticles for enhanced properties.
73. Conductive additives (e.g., carbon black, carbon nanotubes) – Provide electrical conductivity to plastics.
74. Flame suppressants – Delay the spread of flames in polymer materials.
75. Foaming agents – Used in the production of polymer foams.

👉 Complete course details and registration link available here!

---

📌 76–100: Properties and Parameters of Plastic Raw Materials

76. Glass transition temperature (Tg) – The temperature at which a material transitions from a hard to a rubbery state.
77. Melting temperature (Tm) – The point at which a polymer changes from solid to liquid.
78. Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) – Defines how a plastic changes dimensions with temperature variations.
79. Elastic modulus (Young’s modulus) – Measures the stiffness of a polymer under stress.
80. Tensile strength – The maximum force a polymer can withstand before breaking.
81. Flexural strength – The resistance of plastics to bending forces.
82. Creep resistance – The ability of a polymer to maintain its shape under prolonged stress.
83. Shore hardness – A measure of the hardness of elastomers and thermoplastics.
84. Thermal conductivity – Determines how well a material conducts heat.
85. Impact resistance – The ability of a material to absorb energy without breaking.
86. Gas permeability – The ability of a plastic to restrict the passage of gases.
87. Moisture barrier properties – Determines how well a material protects against water and humidity.
88. Coefficient of friction (COF) – A measure of resistance to movement between plastic surfaces.
89. UV permeability – The ability of a polymer to allow or block ultraviolet radiation.
90. Hydrolysis resistance – Resistance of a polymer to degradation caused by water exposure.
91. Chemical resistance – The ability of a plastic to withstand exposure to chemicals.
92. Oxidative stability – The resistance of a material to oxidation and degradation from oxygen exposure.
93. Polymer crystallinity – The degree of molecular order in a polymer structure.
94. Printability – The ability of a material to accept inks and labels.
95. Weldability (heat sealability) – The ability to form strong, durable joints through heat welding.
96. Electrical resistivity – The ability of a material to conduct or insulate electric current.
97. Transparency – The ability of a material to allow light to pass through.
98. Refractive index – A measure of how light bends when passing through a material.
99. Weathering resistance – The durability of a polymer when exposed to environmental conditions such as rain, UV, and temperature changes.
100. Processability – The ease with which a polymer can be shaped and manufactured into final products.

👉 All these topics will be covered in detail in our course. Enroll today!

✅ During the training, each of these terms will be thoroughly explained, covering both theoretical principles and real-world applications. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of polymer materials, their properties, and processing characteristics through images, videos, and interactive animations. Dr. Magdalena Laabs will deliver clear and structured explanations, making even the most complex technical concepts easy to grasp and apply in industrial practice.

👉 Complete course details and registration link available here!