Plasti-Tek Articles, Help & Tips » Uncategorized http://www.plasti-tek.com/blog Recycled Plastic Lumber and Wood. Tips and Tricks on Going Green Outdoors Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:03:06 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Turning Plastic Milk Jugs into Plastic Fencing http://www.plasti-tek.com/blog/2010/01/milk-jugs-into-plastic-fencing/ http://www.plasti-tek.com/blog/2010/01/milk-jugs-into-plastic-fencing/#comments Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:19:13 +0000 admin http://www.plasti-tek.com/blog/?p=58 Plastic milk jugs are a common product that is recycled by many. These plastic milk containers do not have to sit in a landfill, but can find a new life by being recycled into plastic fencing. Many are not sure on how these milk jugs are turned into plastic fencing. This information should take some of the mystery out of making plastic fencing out of plastic milk jugs.

The first step in turning plastic milk jugs into plastic fencing begins with grinding the plastic. A blower sucks up the plastic pieces into a grinder and then deposits the material into a separator. After the all of the pieces are put into the separator, the raw material is vacuumed out onto a conveyor and is then blended with color concentrates and ultra violet stabilizers. These color concentrates are what gives the plastic fencing whatever color is desired. Also, by adding the ultra violet stabilizers will ensure that the plastic fencing does not fade when exposed to sunlight for extended periods of time.

When the plastic has been colored and treated with the ultra violet stabilizers it is then heated to 475 degrees. This melts the plastic so it can then be pushed with a hydraulic piston through a dye or mold giving it the desired shape. As the plastic moves through the dye it starts to rise, much like bread that is proofing, when exposed to the cooler air outside of the machine. In order to stop the rising process the plastic fencing is then put through a cooling tank. These cooling tanks shoot ice-cold water onto the plastic fencing cooling the outside layer to about room temperatures.

With the cooling process is complete, it will move by a conveyor belt to start the air-drying process. Once the fencing is dried, it is then run through yet another cooling tank before making its way into an embossing machine. The embossing machine heats up the surface of the plastic once again to 300 degrees. By doing this allows a pattern to be embossed onto the plastic fencing. The plastic fencing is then sent to a cutter where the products is cut into various lengths and are then ready for use in building a plastic fence.

Since the invention of this recycling process, it has kept many plastic milk jugs out of landfills. By using recycled plastic products for building can help to save the environment and make it a better place for all.

]]> http://www.plasti-tek.com/blog/2010/01/milk-jugs-into-plastic-fencing/feed/ 0 The Benefits of Using Plastic Lumber for a Playground http://www.plasti-tek.com/blog/2009/12/plastic-lumber-playground-benefits/ http://www.plasti-tek.com/blog/2009/12/plastic-lumber-playground-benefits/#comments Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:10:36 +0000 admin http://www.plasti-tek.com/blog/?p=56 Now since many more people are becoming more environmentally conscious and are trying to find more ways to become greener, it makes perfect sense that many are using plastic lumber. Plastic lumber is one of the most common green building materials that is being used today for playground equipment. This type of plastic product is being used for many reasons more so then traditional wooden lumber.

Plastic lumber is becoming the top choice of building materials for playground equipment. A huge bonus for using this type of material is that plastic lumber does not splinter like wood lumber. This makes plastic lumber a safer product when used on playground equipment for children. By using this will keep many a child from the pain of a splinter stuck in a finger or hand.

plastic lumber on a playground swingPlastic lumber is made out of recycled plastics, such as milk jugs. Unlike wooden lumber that takes trees to be produced, plastic lumber is made out of recycled plastics. This helps many plastic products, such as milk jugs; find new life as plastic lumber that can be turned into playground equipment.

Painting wooden lumber can be an arduous task and needs to be repainted after a few years of being exposed to the elements. This is not so with plastic lumber. Plastic lumber can come in a variety of colors that is mixed in with the plastic. Since the plastic lumber is impregnated with pigment, this eliminates the need to paint or repaint it like traditional wooden lumber.

Since playground equipment is generally installed outside, bugs can pose a problem when made out of wood lumber. Many insects such as termites are attracted to wood and can destroy a structure in a very short amount of time. Insects are not attracted to plastic, which make plastic lumber a better choice for outdoor playground equipment.

When wood is exposed to the elements on a daily basis, wood can swell, warp and rot. The weather has very little effect on plastic lumber making at last longer when used in an outdoor environment. Since being exposed to the elements over a period of time weakens wooden lumber it is not being used quite as frequently in the building of playground equipment.

With playground equipment having to be safe for children, plastic lumber is being used more frequently. Since plastic lumber does not splinter, rot, warp, need to be painted and does not attract bugs makes it the better choice in material when used in playground equipment.

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