SIC 3089 Plastics Products, Not Elsewhere Classified
SIC 3089
This category covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing plastics products not classified elsewhere. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing artificial leather are classified in SIC 2295: Coated Fabrics, Not Rubberized.
Companies in this industry manufacture a multitude of items, ranging from clothespins and air mattresses to shoe soles and septic tanks. This industry accounted for approximately 60 percent of all plastics products sales in the early 1990s. For more information about manufacturing processes and the history of plastics products, see other entries in industry group 3080. For information regarding resin manufacturing, see SIC 2821: Plastics Materials, Synthetic Resins, and Nonvulcanizable Elastomers.
326122
Plastic Pipe and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing
326121
Unsupported Plastics Profile Shape Manufacturing
326199
All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing
There are at least 12 major processing techniques used to form plastics goods. A traditional and popular technique is extrusion, which entails melting and compressing plastic granules in a tube. A screw conveyor inside the tube forces the plastic through a nozzle at the end of the tube. The physical characteristics of the plastic can be altered by applying heat or cold to the barrel, adjusting the screw pressure, or by using different types and sizes of screws. Extrusion processes are used to make pipe, sheeting, films, and various forms.
Another popular processing technique is blow-molding, whereby extruded plastic is forced into a bottle-shaped mold. Compressed air inflates the hot plastic and pushes it against the cold sides of the mold, resulting in thin-walled plastic containers. Injection molding, one of the most popular processing operations, entails extruding plastic directly into a mold, where it hardens into a solid form. Sheets of plastic are created through calendaring or film and sheet extrusion. Foam is made in a process called foaming. Other popular plastic processing techniques include film casting, rotational molding, laminating, and casting.
The two main classes of plastics are thermosets and thermoplastics. Thermosets, which account for only 10 percent of the material used in this industry, harden by chemical reaction and cannot be melted and reshaped once they are created. Primary products created with thermoset plastics are epoxies and phenol formaldehyde (Bakelite). Epoxies are used to manufacture flooring, protective coatings, adhesives and cements, electrical hardware, and particleboard. Bakelite is formed into electrical parts, pot handles, and various knobs.
Thermoplastics include acrylics, cellulose proportionate (Forticel), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), polyphenylene oxide (Noryl), and polysulfone. Acrylics are utilized in the production of windows, signs, vehicle light covers, and textiles. Forticel is applied in the manufacture of items such as pens, typewriter keys, telephone housing, and other applications that require impact strength. ABS, which has very high impact resistance, is used to make drainpipes, automobile parts, and small appliances and tools. Noryl, which combines high impact strength with...
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