EVALUATING PLASTICS AS A BUILDING MATERIAL.

Test procedures covering the basic chemical and physical properties of plastic materials are insufficient to evaluate their suitability as building materials. Suitability of plastic materials for construction purposes requires production of prototype composite items as proposed for use and test of these items for all requirements of building use including long-term durability, complying with code requirements, ″cost in place″ in finished construction, and suitability for normal construction practices. Philosophy of testing to meet these requirements, choice of test methods, and interpretation of results are touched upon.