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Transparent plastic pipes are used in many important fields such as: Medicine, food processing, industrial production, agriculture and in households. They are not only flexible, have stable heat resistance, adapt quickly to environmental conditions, etc., but also help consumers easily observe the flow inside to quickly fix problems during the production process. Currently, transparent plastic pipes are produced from a variety of transparent plastics such as: Acrylic plastic, HDPE plastic, PVC plastic, Polycarbonate plastic base, etc. In the article below, EuroPlas will introduce in detail the specialized properties of the Top 5 types of plastic used to produce transparent plastic pipes. Check it out now!

1. Types of plastic used for transparent plastic pipes

Basically, transparent plastic possesses full capabilities, specifically: High durability, stable impact resistance, heat resistance as well as easy shaping & molding during the production process. Currently, transparent plastic pipes are commonly produced from the following 5 types of plastic:

1.1. Acrylic plastic

This is a plastic material belonging to group 7 because the recycling process is very complicated and requires high technical skills. Acrylic transparent plastic material is made up of one or more groups of Acrylic Acid. Currently, Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is the most popular type of acrylic plastic on the market.

Basically, acrylic plastic is outstanding in its resistance to ultraviolet rays as well as the impact of harsh weather without changing shape or structure. Besides, this material is also easily adapted to a variety of popular production methods from casting, cutting, drilling to bending. Therefore, shaping this material according to each specialized product line will not be too difficult.

In addition, acrylic resin has the ability to dissolve with plastic additive groups to supplement the properties of the final product. Not only that, manufacturers also add color additives to increase the diversity and aesthetics of the product.

In terms of manufacturing transparent plastic pipes, acrylic resin is fully capable of meeting the requirements thanks to the following 3 specialized properties:

• The material surface has stable transparency, flatness and gloss. This is consistent with the most basic properties of transparent plastic pipes.

• Acrylic resin not only has a hard surface, flexibility in structure but is also waterproof and mold-resistant for a long time. Therefore, they are used to produce transparent plastic pipes and interior products.

• Acrylic resin is widely used in industries because of its high heat resistance and easy shaping. Temperature ranges from minus 30 degrees F to nearly 200 degrees F.

Acrylic resin belongs to group 7 resin and is resistant to ultraviolet rays and chemicals.

1.2. HDPE plastic base

HDPE plastic base is famous as one of the transparent plastic materials with high durability, high strength as well as excellent flexibility. HDPE belongs to the thermoplastic group and belongs to the polyethylene family. With its special ability to resist moisture, chemicals and impact, HDPE becomes an important material. Through the polymerization process, this material is created with strength and firmness, meeting strict requirements.

The nature of HDPE plastic base is also transparent in color similar to acrylic plastic. They are also easily combined with a variety of other plastic additives to improve the outstanding characteristics of the product. In particular, HDPE is different from most other polyethylene groups because the density & molecular structure itself has contributed to significantly increasing the rigidity from the inside out of this material.

Moreover, HDPE plastic substrate also possesses 3 typical properties for the production of transparent plastic pipes, specifically as follows:

• Tensile strength: HDPE plastic particles increase the tensile strength of pipes used in industry. The minimum tensile strength is about 21Mpa. They can reach maximum tensile strength while still ensuring the integrity of the structure and surface of the material.

• Chemical resistance: HDPE plastic substrate is also highly appreciated for its ability to resist strong chemical groups such as: Acids, bases, etc. Therefore, the material minimizes the possibility of corrosion and increases the life of the product.

• UV resistance: HDPE has been proven to have very good UV resistance, making it an ideal material for outdoor applications such as transparent plastic pipes. This property ensures that HDPE remains stable and retains its physical properties even when exposed to prolonged sunlight.

HDPE plastic is widely used in the production of pipes.

1.3. PVC plastic

This is considered the most popular thermoplastic today and is widely used in many industries because of its quality and price. PVC plastic is produced from the polymerization reaction of vinyl chloride (CH2=CHCl) - this is a chemical prepared from petroleum or natural gas.

PVC plastic also possesses some unique characteristics compared to other thermoplastic lines. The hardness of PVC plastic comes from the specific gravity of this material of about 1.4g/cm3. Next, the hardness of PVC plastic material can be easily adjusted flexibly according to the amount of additives added.

Next, the melting resistance of PVC is also highly appreciated when it reaches 140 degrees Celsius. In particular, the most outstanding advantage of this material is its durability under the impact of temperature and bad weather conditions. This is a huge plus in the production of transparent plastic pipes.

Not inferior to the above materials, PVC is also a suitable choice for businesses producing transparent plastic pipes because:

• Waterproof ability: PVC is durable in water environments, they can still maintain their shape and structure if soaked in liquid for a long time. Therefore, it is very suitable for the production of water pipes in general and transparent plastic pipes in particular.

• Insulation ability: PVC is basically a non-conductive material. Therefore, transparent plastic pipe products can ensure safety for consumers. This plastic base is also used to produce electronic equipment.

• Anti-UV: PVC is durable in sunlight, does not fade or deform under the influence of UV rays. 

1.4. Transparent Polycarbonate Plastic

Although polycarbonate transparent plastic is shaped in solid form, it is classified as a thermoplastic. The two most outstanding properties of this material are fire resistance and heat resistance because polycarbonate does not need the addition of plastic additives to maintain these two properties. It is the repetition of carbonate groups in the structure that makes polycarbonate transparent plastic (PC) durable and sturdy.

The material is classified as a medium density plastic, only from 1.2g - 1.4g per cubic centimeter. In particular, polycarbonate transparent plastic fully meets the standards of the injection molding or shaping process because the melting point of the plastic fluctuates between 220 and 250 degrees Celsius.

In addition, the temperature from 140 - 150 degrees Celsius is suitable for the material to change from a hard state to a flexible state.

This is also one of the popular materials used to produce transparent plastic pipes:

• Easy to combine with additives: Polycarbonate plastic is often combined with glass fibers to increase durability. The recommended density of plastic additives is between 5 - 40% to improve creep resistance to 28 MPa at high temperatures up to 210 ° F.

• High durability and impact resistance: Products made from transparent Polycarbonate plastic minimize breakage and increase stable durability. The toughness of transparent polycarbonate plastic pipes can still be maintained at temperatures of 140 degrees Celsius and down to minus 20 degrees Celsius.

• Light weight: Polycarbonate is quite light. Polycarbonate plastic sheets are only 1/10 compared to glass materials.

• Heat resistance: Providing good heat resistance, Polycarbonate plastic is thermally stable up to 135 ° C. Heat resistance can be improved by adding flame retardants without affecting the properties of the material.

Transparent polycarbonate plastic tube has stable strength and durability

1.5. Polyetherimide transparent plastic base

The oxygen density ratio of Polyetherimide plastic is around 47%. In addition, the fire resistance level of the material meets the UL94 - V - 0 standard. The production process of Polyetherimide plastic involves Ensinger in the form of sheets and rods using Ultem® raw materials.

Transparent plastic pipes made from Polyetherimide plastic base can withstand heat up to 170 degrees C for a long time. Moreover, they are also popular materials in heavy industries.

In addition, transparent plastic pipes will often be exposed to direct sunlight. This is also overcome by the UV resistance of polyetherimide plastic. Next, polyetherimide transparent plastic is also used in the production of electronic devices because of the stable insulation of the molecules.

This factor also increases safety because transparent plastic pipes are also often used in water environments and have the ability to conduct electricity.

Its light weight, durability, heat resistance and chemical resistance make this material a priority choice for many different consumer products. It is used in household appliances, sports equipment, consumer electronics and other products,...

Transparent polyetherimide plastic beads can withstand heat up to 170 degrees Celsius for a long time.

2. Why are the above plastics used?

EuroPlas has introduced to customers the detailed characteristics of 5 types of transparent plastics commonly used in the production of transparent plastic pipes. Basically, they also possess outstanding common features & enhance the properties of transparent plastic pipe products, specifically as follows:

• UV resistance: All 5 types of plastic above have this characteristic. They can withstand direct sunlight for a long time without changing shape or deteriorating in characteristics. Transparent plastic pipe products are one of the products that face the most UV rays in construction works, gardens, etc. during use.

• Hardness and impact resistance: All types of plastic have stable durability and are completely unaffected in their physical properties and structure under the impact of external factors. Plastic pipes in general and transparent plastic pipes in particular are often set up in systems and installed in large areas. Therefore, they will not avoid impacts and external impacts.

Transparent plastic materials are widely used in many fields.

• Easy to mold and combine with plastic additives: Transparent plastics have high flexibility and stable melting temperature resistance. This makes them easily adaptable to a variety of production methods from injection, molding to blow molding, etc.

• Chemical resistance: All 5 types of plastic above possess this characteristic. They can neutralize the effects of strong chemical groups such as acids, bases, etc. on the molecular structure of the material.
  Safe for consumer health: Transparent plastic is mainly produced from plastic number 5. This is a type of plastic that is safe for health, heat-resistant and odorless. Therefore, transparent plastic is also very environmentally friendly. Besides, you can also easily clean transparent plastic because it has a smooth and shiny surface.

• Heat resistance: All 5 types of transparent plastics above can withstand average temperatures above 140 degrees Celsius without deformation or loss of properties. Therefore, transparent plastic pipes are also easily applied in many heavy industries

4. About EuroPlas

Currently, EuroPlas is proud to be one of the prestigious filler masterbatch manufacturers in the Vietnamese market. In addition, we also provide a variety of plastic materials such as: Bioplastics, plastic additives, color masterbatches and technical compound plastic groups.

As one of the leading plastic material manufacturers in Vietnam, EuroPlas owns a system of 7 factories with a scale of tens of hectares in 6 provinces of Vietnam. In particular, the company has also built its first factory in Egypt in 2023.

Therefore, EuroPlas's team is capable of meeting approximately 0.8 million tons of plastic / year and is currently a regular partner of thousands of factories in more than 95 countries worldwide.

5. Conclusion

EuroPlas has introduced to customers the detailed characteristics of 5 popular plastic lines used in the production of transparent plastic pipes. Please continue to follow EuroPlas Blog to update the latest news & knowledge about plastic materials!