Joolz68
I'm a Sunlog!
For anyone concerned about how to heat a plastic tub, rack or cage for their pet: WRONG THREAD!
But if you need to know how hot the plastic can get before any damage (melting/warping): you've come to the right spot.
There is not just one answer to this question, because there is not just one type of plastic that can be used. Most common (on this forum) are the Sterilite-type tubs. But there's also Tupperware, Rubbermade, and 'No Name Plastic Containers'. Some members have cages made of acrylic. Some also use PVC piping (for water effects in the more elaborate setups). Each type of plastic has it's own characteristics- including a melting point.
Most people (or maybe just me) don't know what the different melting points are for the different plastics out there. But we (I) do know that most plastics have that recyclable symbol (Resin Code) on it. That symbol (and the initials underneath) identifies the type of plastic. So (because of me unquenchable thirst for knowledge) I have constructed the following charts below. I hope someone finds them useful (after all my research and hard work :grin01: ).
If you use a regulated UTH, I see no problem with the common plastics used. And even if it's not regulated, a UTH just doesn't get hot enough to cause melting.
_________________________________________________________
Resin ID Codes (and their melting points)
--- PETE---- Polyethylene Terephthalate: 260 C
---HDPE--- High-Density Polyethylene: similar to PETE
---PVC, V-- Polyvinyl Chloride: 212 C
--- LDPE---- Low-Density Polyethylene: similar to PETE
---PP------- Polypropylene: 165 C
---PS------- Polystyrene: 240 C
---OTHER--- Acrylic: 130-140 C
---------------------Nylon: 178 C
---------------------Polycarbonate: 267 C
---------------------Polylactic acid: 178 C
---------------------Fiberglass: none, but will soften @ 2000 C
_________________________________________________________
Ah...excuse me, but all those temps are in Celsius. How do I figure out what the temps would be in Fahrenheit.
I'm WAY AHEAD OF YOU: °F = (°C × 1.8) + 32 Just do the math.
But that's too hard to figure out. I'm no good at math!
For the Mathematically Challenged:
Here's a simple calculator to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit: Temp Converter
:-offtopic
During my research, I found out what all those different plastics are used for (and found some very interesting):
Plastics and their Commons Uses
1. Polyethylene (PE): artificial joints, edge protection on ice rinks, butchers' chopping boards.
2. Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE): carbonated soft drink and water bottles.
3. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): vinyl siding, magnetic stripe cards, vinyl records, plumbing (white pipes).
4. Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC): Saran Wrap.
5. Polylactic acid (PLA): sutures, awnings, feminine hygiene products.
6. Polypropylene (PP): food packaging, ropes, plastic parts and reusable containers.
7. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA): acrylic glass.
8. Polycarbonate (PC): CDs, DVDs, auto headlamp lenses, animal enclosures used in research.
9. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE): non-stick coating for pans and other cookware.
10. Polystyrene (PS): plastic model assembly kits, plastic cutlery, CD "jewel" cases.
11. Polyamide (PA): flame-resistant clothing, braking pads NO MELTING POINT; will disintegrate @ 500 C.
12. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS): plumbing (black pipes), LEGOs, vivid tattoo inks If molded at a high temperature improves the gloss and heat resistance of the product, whereas the highest impact resistance and strength are obtained by molding at low temperature.
But if you need to know how hot the plastic can get before any damage (melting/warping): you've come to the right spot.
There is not just one answer to this question, because there is not just one type of plastic that can be used. Most common (on this forum) are the Sterilite-type tubs. But there's also Tupperware, Rubbermade, and 'No Name Plastic Containers'. Some members have cages made of acrylic. Some also use PVC piping (for water effects in the more elaborate setups). Each type of plastic has it's own characteristics- including a melting point.
Most people (or maybe just me) don't know what the different melting points are for the different plastics out there. But we (I) do know that most plastics have that recyclable symbol (Resin Code) on it. That symbol (and the initials underneath) identifies the type of plastic. So (because of me unquenchable thirst for knowledge) I have constructed the following charts below. I hope someone finds them useful (after all my research and hard work :grin01: ).
If you use a regulated UTH, I see no problem with the common plastics used. And even if it's not regulated, a UTH just doesn't get hot enough to cause melting.
_________________________________________________________
Resin ID Codes (and their melting points)
--- PETE---- Polyethylene Terephthalate: 260 C
---HDPE--- High-Density Polyethylene: similar to PETE
---PVC, V-- Polyvinyl Chloride: 212 C
--- LDPE---- Low-Density Polyethylene: similar to PETE
---PP------- Polypropylene: 165 C
---PS------- Polystyrene: 240 C
---OTHER--- Acrylic: 130-140 C---------------------Nylon: 178 C
---------------------Polycarbonate: 267 C
---------------------Polylactic acid: 178 C
---------------------Fiberglass: none, but will soften @ 2000 C
_________________________________________________________
Ah...excuse me, but all those temps are in Celsius. How do I figure out what the temps would be in Fahrenheit.
I'm WAY AHEAD OF YOU: °F = (°C × 1.8) + 32 Just do the math.
But that's too hard to figure out. I'm no good at math!
For the Mathematically Challenged:
Here's a simple calculator to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit: Temp Converter
:-offtopic
During my research, I found out what all those different plastics are used for (and found some very interesting):
Plastics and their Commons Uses
1. Polyethylene (PE): artificial joints, edge protection on ice rinks, butchers' chopping boards.
2. Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE): carbonated soft drink and water bottles.
3. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): vinyl siding, magnetic stripe cards, vinyl records, plumbing (white pipes).
4. Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC): Saran Wrap.
5. Polylactic acid (PLA): sutures, awnings, feminine hygiene products.
6. Polypropylene (PP): food packaging, ropes, plastic parts and reusable containers.
7. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA): acrylic glass.
8. Polycarbonate (PC): CDs, DVDs, auto headlamp lenses, animal enclosures used in research.
9. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE): non-stick coating for pans and other cookware.
10. Polystyrene (PS): plastic model assembly kits, plastic cutlery, CD "jewel" cases.
11. Polyamide (PA): flame-resistant clothing, braking pads NO MELTING POINT; will disintegrate @ 500 C.
12. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS): plumbing (black pipes), LEGOs, vivid tattoo inks If molded at a high temperature improves the gloss and heat resistance of the product, whereas the highest impact resistance and strength are obtained by molding at low temperature.
