Amorphous plastics are rigid and disorganized molecular chains. General properties include transparency, rigidity and low dimensional stability. Furthermore, they have no melting point but instead soften when heated. Amorphous plastics are usually less prone to shrinkage and have less tendency to warp than semi-crystalline plastics.
PVC plastic has the structure of amorphous plastic, it is colorless, and can be colored indefinitely with variants. It is used for pipes, the chemical industry, and vessels, for example. PVC requires certain modifications when it is processed, as it, unlike other types of plastic, contains stabilizers, lubricants, and additives. Vinyl chloride plastic has a transmission capacity of 76 – 82%.
When indoor and outdoor signs, luminaire covers, window glass, and taillights are manufactured, acrylic plastic, abbreviated PMAA, is often used. This type of amorphous plastic is suitable for injection molding, thermoforming, and extrusion. The acrylic plastic can be embossed, machined, vacuum-metalized, and glued.
The colorless, clear polycarbonate has unlimited coloring possibilities. It is often used in impellers, safety glasses, contact lenses, and safety helmets, to name a few examples. PC is well suited for injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion. It can easily be foiled, embossed, welded, glued and machined. The amorphous plastic polycarbonate has a transmission capacity of 85 – 91%.
Polyphenylene oxide (PPO) is a yellowish plastic, which can be modified with glass bindings and is suitable for injection molding and extrusion. This amorphous plastic is often used in the electricity industry, in pumps, impellers, kitchen appliances, flushing trunks, and water filters. The phenylene oxide plastic has a high operating temperature, is dimensionally stable, hydrolysis-resistant and has good creep strength, etc.