Thermoplastics in Plant Construction

THOSE whose job it is to design, purchase or install equipment having a high standard of resistance to localised corrosive conditions will already be familiar with the resistive characteristics of thermo‐plastics such as polyethylene and UPVC. These materials are generally completely unaffected by acids and alkalis, although they are not suitable for use in direct contact with solvents, e.g. ketones, esters, aromatic, aliphatic or chlorinated hydro‐carbons. A further limitation lies in the fact that they are not suitable for use at temperatures exceeding 60°C. However, even within these limits the functional applications of these thermoplastics is wide and varied.