When wondering what kind of plastic is used in refrigerators, most users do not even suspect that a real chemical constructor is hidden inside their household appliances. A modern refrigeration unit is a complex system where every element, from the transparent shelf to the white body, is made of a specially selected polymer. These materials were not chosen by chance, but as a result of long tests for strength, heat resistance and food safety.
The interior of the chamber is constantly exposed to low temperatures, condensation and various chemicals released by products. That is why manufacturers use specialized thermoplasticsthat do not crack when frozen and do not release toxins when cooled. Understanding the difference between them will help you treat your equipment more carefully and choose the right products to care for it.
In addition, knowledge of the properties of materials is necessary when repairing or trying to glue a cracked part. If you decide to seal the shelf with the wrong glue or use aggressive chemicals for cleaning, you can irrevocably damage the expensive unit. In this article we will analyze in detail what the walls, drawers and seals of your refrigerator are made of.
ABS plastic: the basis of the internal volume
The absolute leader among materials for the internal lining of chambers is ABS plastic (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). It is a copolymer that combines hardness, impact resistance and excellent aesthetic qualities. It is this material that forms the smooth white surface that you see when you open the refrigerator door. It is easy to mold, which allows you to create complex geometric shapes with protrusions for shelves.
The main advantage of ABS is its ability to withstand mechanical loads. An accidentally dropped jar of pickles or a heavy pan placed on a shelf will most likely not cause damage to the walls of the chamber. However, this material also has its limitations, which every equipment owner should be aware of.
- 🔹 High impact strength, which prevents cracks from everyday impacts.
- 🔹 Excellent resistance to low temperatures, retaining properties down to -40°C.
- 🔹 Hygiene and absence of pores where bacteria could multiply.
- 🔹 Easy to process, allowing you to create complex internal profiles.
Despite its strength, ABS plastic is afraid of ultraviolet radiation and some solvents. With prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, it may begin to turn yellow, losing its presentation. It is also not recommended to use products containing acetone or chlorine in high concentrations to clean it.
⚠️ Attention: When cleaning the internal walls, never use abrasive sponges or powders. Microscopic scratches on ABS plastic will become an ideal environment for the growth of mold, which will then be extremely difficult to remove.
Modern models often use technology Antibacterial ABS, where silver ions are introduced into the structure of the material at the production stage. This allows you to suppress the growth of microorganisms directly on the surface of the walls, providing additional freshness of products.
Polystyrene and polypropylene: what are the shelves and drawers made of
If you look inside the refrigerator, you will notice that the transparent shelves and drawers for vegetables are made of materials different from the walls of the chamber. Most often found here are polystyrene (PS) or polypropylene (PP). These polymers are chosen for their transparency, rigidity and ability to contact food without changing its taste.
Polystyrene is highly transparent and rigid, making it an ideal material for glass shelves (often in composite form) and transparent door pockets. However, it is more brittle at low temperatures compared to ABS. A sharp blow to frozen polystyrene can cause it to split.
Polypropylene, in turn, has greater flexibility and chemical resistance. It is often used to make interior freezer drawers because it can withstand extreme cold temperatures better without becoming brittle. In addition, polypropylene is more resistant to fats and oils, which is important for containers where a variety of products are stored.
| Material | Temperature conditions | Main application | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABS plastic | from -40°C to +80°C | Internal walls, doors | Impact-resistant, matte |
| Polystyrene | from -30°C to +70°C | Shelves, door pockets | Transparent, hard |
| Polypropylene | from -60°C to +100°C | Freezer boxes, containers | Flexible, chemical resistant |
| Polyurethane | from -150°C to +100°C | Thermal insulation (foam) | Foam structure |
When choosing detergents, it is important to take into account the chemical nature of these plastics. For example, polystyrene can become cloudy or even dissolve when in contact with certain types of alcohols or essential oils, often contained in fragrances.
External body and metal coatings
The appearance of the refrigerator is not only aesthetics, but also the protection of the internal contents from heat inflows. For the outer casing it is traditionally used sheet steel with a polymer coating. However, in premium models and designer series, you can increasingly find cases made entirely or partially from high-strength plastics.
The use of plastic for external panels allows you to reduce the overall weight of the unit and give it a glossy, deep color that is difficult to obtain on metal. Such panels are often called VCM (Vacuum Coated Metal) or simply laminated plastic. They are resistant to fingerprints and easy to clean.
Particular attention should be paid to the back wall of the refrigerator. In most budget and mid-range models, it is made of thin metal coated with powder paint. However, in some compact models or monoblock refrigerators, impact-resistant plastic can be used for built-in, which does not rust and holds heat better.
- 🔸 Glossy plastic panels require the use of special polishes to remove stains.
- 🔸 Matte textured surfaces (“anti-fingerprint”) hide minor scratches.
- 🔸 The plastic sides of built-in models often have stiffening ribs for installation.
It is important to understand that the external plastic undergoes additional ultraviolet treatment to stabilize the color. This prevents sun fading if the refrigerator is placed near a window. However, prolonged exposure to aggressive sun can lead to uneven changes in shade.
⚠️ Attention: Do not install the refrigerator close to heat sources (radiators, stoves). The plastic of the outer casing may deform or change color even at temperatures that are safe for metal.
Seals: elastomers and magnetic inserts
Although the question sounds “what plastic”, it is impossible to ignore rubber seals, which are formally elastomers, but in everyday life are often classified as polymer materials. The door seal (cuff) is a critical element in ensuring the seal of the chamber. It is made of microporous rubber or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).
A flexible magnet is hidden inside the rubber band, which allows the door to fit tightly to the body along the entire perimeter. The quality of this material directly affects the energy consumption of the refrigerator. If the seal loses elasticity, hardens or cracks, the cold begins to evaporate, causing the compressor to work without interruption.
Modern seals are often treated antibacterial compounds, since the warm and moist environment in the folds of the cuff is ideal for the development of fungus. Some manufacturers use nanosilver embedded in the rubber structure, which makes it self-sterilizing.
Caring for seals requires delicacy. You cannot use oils (vaseline, sunflower oil) to soften rubber, as is sometimes recommended in old instructions. Modern synthetic rubbers swell and break due to contact with oils. For care, there are special silicone-based sprays.
Thermal insulation: foamed polymers
The heart of the refrigerator is not the compressor, but its ability to retain cold. The thermal insulation layer, which is hidden between the inner and outer casing, is responsible for this. The main material here is polyurethane foam (PPU). During the production process, it foams right inside the body, filling all voids and creating a monolithic layer.
Polyurethane foam was chosen for its unique thermal insulation properties. It consists of millions of closed cells filled with gas, which is a poor conductor of heat. The thickness of this layer can vary from 3 to 6 cm depending on the energy efficiency class of the model. The better the insulation, the less often the motor turns on.
Environmentally friendly models use polyurethane foam foamed with cyclopentane, which does not destroy the ozone layer. Older models could use freons as a foaming agent, which is now considered environmentally unsafe.
What happens if you break the polyurethane foam layer?
If you drill through the refrigerator body, you will break the tightness of the PU foam cells. Moist air will enter them, thermal conductivity will increase sharply, and the refrigerator will no longer maintain temperature. It is impossible to restore the factory properties of insulation at home.
It is important to note that polyurethane foam also has excellent sound insulation properties. It dampens compressor vibrations, making the refrigerator operate quietly. When dismantling old refrigerators, this material often surprises with its strength - it tightly glues the internal and external tanks.
Material safety and labeling
All plastics that come into contact with products or are in close proximity to them must have appropriate safety certificates. At the bottom of plastic drawers and shelves you can often find a triangle marking with a number inside. This marking indicates the type of polymer.
The following codes are most often found in refrigerators:
- 🔢 5 (PP) — Polypropylene. Safe, heat-resistant, ideal for the freezer.
- 🔢 6 (PS) — Polystyrene. Used for transparent elements, requires care when heating.
- 🔢 7 (O) — Other types of plastics (often ABS or composites). Require verification of certificates.
Manufacturers are required to ensure that, under normal operating conditions, these materials do not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in concentrations harmful to health. However, when purchasing a new refrigerator, the characteristic “technical” smell is still present. It is caused by residual volatile substances from packaging and new polymers.
⚠️ Attention: Before using a new refrigerator for the first time, be sure to let it stand with the doors open in a ventilated area for at least 24 hours. This will allow residual odors of polymerization to disappear.
Particular attention should be paid to the condition of plastic parts in old refrigerators. Over time, exposed to temperature changes and cleaning agents, the structure of the plastic can degrade, becoming sticky or crumbling. It is better to replace such parts, as they can become a source of contamination of products.
Repair and replacement of plastic elements
Sooner or later, even the most durable plastic may not withstand the load. A cracked shelf, broken hook or broken drawer are common reasons for calling for service. Repairing plastic parts of a refrigerator is possible, but requires the right approach and selection of materials.
For gluing ABS plastic and polystyrene, special solvent adhesives (chloromethylene, dichloroethane) or two-component epoxy compounds with increased adhesion to plastics are best suited. Conventional superglue (cyanoacrylate) often produces a hard but brittle seam that can burst due to vibration or temperature changes.
☑️ Preparation for gluing plastic
If the crack is in a visible place or is under load, it is better to use method plastic welding. To do this, use a soldering iron with a thin tip and an filler rod made of the same material (for example, a strip from an unnecessary container). Molten plastic fills the crack, creating a monolithic connection.
In cases where repair is impossible or impractical, you have to look for original spare parts. It is important to know the exact model of the refrigerator, since the geometry of plastic elements from different manufacturers and even different years of manufacture of the same model may differ.
Is it possible to wash plastic shelves in dishwasher?
Most manufacturers do not recommend washing plastic refrigerator parts in the dishwasher. The water temperature in the washing mode (usually 60-70°C) can exceed the deformation temperature of the polystyrene, and the shelf will bend. In addition, aggressive detergents can make transparent plastic cloudy.
What is the best way to remove yellowness from white plastic?
To remove yellowness from ABS plastic, you can use hydrogen peroxide (oxidizing agent) in the form of a gel or a high concentration solution, applying it to the surface and leaving it under ultraviolet light for several hours. However, this process is labor-intensive and does not always give a guaranteed result on old surfaces.
Is the smell of new plastic in the refrigerator safe?
Yes, the smell of new plastic is usually safe if it dissipates in the first days of operation. This is a normal process for industrial polymers. However, if a strong chemical smell persists for more than a week or intensifies, this may indicate overheating of the wiring or an insulation fault, in which case it is worth calling a technician.