INTRODUCTION

The word plastic comes from the Greek word “plastikos” meaning “capable of
being shaped or moulded” and, in turn, from “plastos” meaning “moulded”.

Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that use

polymers as a main ingredient. Their plasticity makes it possible for plastics to
be moulded, extruded or pressed into solid objects of various shapes. This
adaptability, plus a wide range of other properties, such as being lightweight,
durable, flexible, and inexpensive to produce, has led to its widespread use.
Plastics typically are made through human industrial systems. Most modern
plastics are derived from fossil fuel-based chemicals like natural gas or petroleum;
however, recent industrial methods use variants made from renewable materials,
such as corn or cotton derivatives.

This adaptability, plus a wide variety of beneficial properties, such as being

lightweight, durable and flexible, alongside cheap manufacturing methods, has
contributed to widespread acceptance in contemporary society.

Most plastics contain organic polymers. A large proportion of these polymers

comprises chains of carbon atoms, pure or with oxygen, nitrogen or Sulphur. The
chains have several repeated units, composed of monomers. Each polymer chain
has several thousand repeated units. The backbone is the main section of the chain
that binds a large number of repeat units together.

Different molecular groups “hang” from this backbone to customize the

properties of plastic. These pendants are usually “hung” on the monomers until
the monomers link themselves together to form the polymer chain. It is the
arrangement of these side chains that influences the properties of the polymer.
The molecular structure of the repeating units can precisely tune to affect the
specific properties of the polymer.

PROPERTIES AND CLASSIFICATIONS

Plastics generally categorize as the chemical structure of the polymer base and
side chains. The major categories of these classifications include acrylics,
polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes and halogenated plastics. Plastics also
categorize by the chemical process used in their syntheses, such as cross-linking,
condensation, and polyaddition.

Plastics can also categorize by their various physical properties, such as tensile
strength, hardness, resistance to heat, density, and glass transition temperature,
and their chemical properties, such as organic polymer chemistry and its
resistance and its reactions to various other chemical materials and processes,
such as ionizing radiation, oxidation and organic solvents.

Other classifications depend on characteristics that are relevant to the

manufacturing process or designing of the product. Examples of such qualities
and classes are conductive polymers, thermoplastics and thermosets, engineering
plastics and biodegradable plastics and other similar plastics with unique
structures, such as elastomers.
THERMOPLASTICS

Thermoplastics are plastics that do not undergo a chemical change in their

composition when heated, and hence, they can mould several times. Examples
are polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and
polystyrene (PS).

THERMOSETS

Thermosets polymers are plastics that can melt and mould into any shape only
once. They’ll undergo an irreversible chemical reaction when heated, hence, if
heated again they decompose instead of melting.

CONDUCTIVE POLYMERS

Intrinsically Conducting Polymers (ICP) are electrically conductive organic

polymers. Example: Polyacetylene.

BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS

Biodegradable plastics are plastics that degrade or break down when exposed to
sunlight or ultraviolet radiation, bacteria, certain enzymes, dampness or water, or
wind abrasion. In certain circumstances, rodents, pests or insect attacks can also
act as biodegradation modes or environmental degradation. Example: Starch-
based plastics, Cellulose-based plastics, Soy-based plastics.
BIOPLASTICS

While most plastics are products of petrochemicals, bioplastics are plastics

produced substantially from renewable plant materials such as cellulose and
starch. Due to the finite limits of petrochemical resources and the risk of global
warming, bioplastics is still a growing field.

ADVANTAGES:

1. Plastics are highly flexible and cheaper in comparison to metals.

2. The manufacturing process of plastic parts is budget-friendly.

3. Plastics are highly durable and can last for a longer time.

4. The specific gravity of plastic is much lower, which makes it a lightweight

material.

5. The manufacturing process of plastic is a lot faster than metals.

DISADVANTAGES:

1. The natural decomposition of plastics will last from 400 to 1000 years and,
few types of plastics are non-degradable.

2. Plastic materials affect water bodies like oceans, seas, lakes etc., killing
marine animals.

3. Many animals are consuming plastic products and dying on a daily basis.
About 90% of all seabirds have plastic in their stomachs.
4. Plastic is widely popular in food packaging, but research studies show that
eating food out of plastic containers may cause cancer.

5. Both the production and recycling of plastics produce harmful gases and
residues that pollute the air, water and soil.

APPLICATION OF PLASTIC IN CONSTRUCTION

Plastics are used in a growing range of applications in the construction industry.

They have great versatility and combine excellent strength to weight ratio,
durability, cost effectiveness, low maintenance and corrosion resistance which
make plastics an economically attractive choice throughout the construction
sector. In the Middle Ages, cattle horns were used as windows for lanterns while
expanded polystyrene was used for buildings isolation, which was invented by
Dow Chemical in 1954. As times are changing, uses of plastics are being
modified keeping in mind the properties, advantages, disadvantages and uses.

In the case of developed economies, one-third of plastic is used in packaging and

also in buildings in the form of components such as plumbing or vinyl siding.
Plastics have evolved from the use of natural plastic materials such as chewing
gum to the use of chemically modified, natural materials such as natural rubber,
collagen, galalite, nitrocellulose and finally to fully synthetic molecules such as
bakelite, epoxy, polyvinyl chloride, LDPE, HDPE etc.

With many advantages, plastic has become a part of our daily lives. It is also one
of the most widely used construction materials too. Here, we will understand the
various properties of plastic, its uses, advantages and disadvantages, in general
as well as with specific reference to construction sector.
POPULAR USES OF PLASTIC IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

PLUMBING PIPES AND FIXTURES

Plastics like PVC, CPVC, PE are used extensively for water supply pipes, sewage
pipes, drainage pipes, fittings due to corrosion resistance, ease of installation,
leak-proof properties. - Plastic pipes have replaced traditional galvanized iron or
lead pipes for improved health and safety. - Plastic fittings are used for faucets,
valves, joints. Plastic sanitaryware is used for toilets, sinks, basins.

ROOFING

Plastic roofing sheets made of PVC or polycarbonate provide lightweight,

durable, weather-resistant roof covering. - Plastic membranes like PVC, TPO,
EPDM are used for waterproofing roofs as they are seam-welded.

WALL PANELS

Plastic sheets, corrugated panels used extensively to construct wall partitions,

false ceilings, cladding. - Provide smooth durable finish, and thermal insulation
benefits. - Panels are easy to install compared to brick or concrete walls.

FURNITURE

Plastic furniture widely used indoors and outdoors due to mouldable shapes,
durability, water/pest resistance. - PVC pipes used for railing. Plastic lumber used
for seating, decking.

FLOORING
PVC or vinyl flooring provides durable, easy to clean surface. Resists moisture,
stains. - Ideal for high traffic areas. Available in sheets or tiles. - Also used for
outdoor areas as it withstands weathering.

WATERPROOFING MEMBRANES

Plastic sheets like HDPE, LDPE provide excellent water barrier, moisture
protection for roofs, basements. - Flexible to adapt to surface profile. Heat welded
seams.

SEALANTS

Plastic sealants like silicone widely used to seal joints, gaps and cracks. - Prevents
passage of water and air. Provides insulation. Long lasting flexibility.

WATER TANKS

Plastic water storage tanks made by welding HDPE sheets. Durable rust-proof
alternative to metal tanks. - Tanks come in varied capacities for residential,
commercial storage needs. Easy to install.

ADVANTAGES OF PLASTIC USED IN CONSTRUCTION

1. Plastics are durable as they are not biodegradable and so can last for a long
period of time.

2. Plastics possess very good strength and toughness, which does not let them
deform their shape.

3. Plastics are cheap to produce and can be very easily found in the market by
the buyer for building a home.
4. They can be reused if dismantled and can be easily joined with other plastics,
particularly in the case of plumbing works.

5. Plastics occupy a small space in the case of landfills. Although the time taken
by plastic materials to decompose in a landfill is more, the amount of space
taken up by it in these areas is less when compared to other items. Volume
taken by paper products is seven times more than plastic.

6. Methane is not exposed to air when plastics are dumped in landfills.. In the
case of plastics, they don’t emit methane gas when it starts getting broken
down, which implies that it is easier to accurately analyse the total life span
of the plastic product. It is useful for demolition purposes.

7. Plastics contain a high energy density, and so incinerating plastics can be quite
useful in some situations because of their high energy density rating.

8. In place of traditional products for cladding panels, soft boards, fascia, etc.
UPVC (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride) products are used because of their
advantage like lack of wrap, resistance to rot and lightweight.

9. Plastic decorative laminates are well known for panelling or furniture

purposes, as they are not attacked by termites as in the case of wood.

10.It reduces dead loads in buildings, and thus buildings do not become heavy
with traditional materials.

DISADVANTAGES OF PLASTIC IN CONSTRUCTION

1. Majority of the world’s pollution found in the oceans are mainly due to plastic,
which is killing animals of all kind since they are consuming plastic.
2. Although plastics are cheaper, it impacts lives of people, which in turn are
costlier.

3. Plastics have a tendency to soften at elevated temperatures. This restricts its

use in main structural elements and also for hot water systems.

4. Cold climates can cause the plastic to become brittle and fracture under
pressure. So, it is advisable not to be use it in cold climatic conditions.

5. Many plastics are difficult to recycle and hence there rises concern over their
decomposing as many plastics take millions of years to decompose.

6. Plastics have a low modulus of elasticity, which makes it unsuitable for load-
bearing applications as in the case of beams and columns.

7. Although fireproof property is existent in plastic, many varieties of plastics

have high thermal expansion rate, which requires more detailing in design to
allow adequate thermal movement.

PROPERTIES OF PLASTIC THAT ENHANCE ITS SUITABILITY

1. The main property that makes plastic suitable to be used in construction is its
lightweight and yet strong, which makes it easier for transportation, loading-
unloading, and installation etc.

2. It is also corrosion resistant as it has strong weather fighting ability which

leads to less maintenance, a very important aspect for buildings. For this, PPS
(Polyphenylene sulphide) is a chemical that is used in plastic. It is mostly used
in applications which are exposed to chemicals that are highly corrosive at
high temperatures.
3. It has the capability of achieving tight seals which otherwise obstruct the flow
of any liquid substance to other material through it. In simple words, it is
impermeable because of its structure. They are made by the formation of
polymeric chains. Such a structure provides the quality of water repellence,
which helps make the building leakproof.

4. It is resistant to fire. For this during processing, antimony trioxide is mixed

with a brominated compound to make polyethylene. Antimony trioxide acts
harmoniously with brominated compounds to intensify fire-retardant
properties. This is done by slowing down the combustion process.

5. Plastic is flexible as it has anti-vibration properties which make it suitable to

undergo large deflections as in case of earthquakes without causing
deformation. The seismic performance of the building is improved due to this.

6. Plastic has anti-vibration properties. Airborne noises can be dealt with it

because of this property.

7. For thermal insulation, plastic acts as an excellent product. By incorporating

foamed plastic sheeting within the structure, this can be achieved.