Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Plastic: Fun Facts & Information


by Lenna Stockwell


When you talk about plastics, it is important to understand that there is not just one kind of plastic, but many kinds. Plastic, in general, is a material that is formed by using synthetic or semi-synthetic polymers. There are many different kinds of polymers and other substances that are used to create these types of plastic. Here are some interesting facts about plastic in general.

Even centuries ago, there were substances made from organic polymers such as egg protein and natural rubber. But it wasn't until the 19th century that man-made forms of plastic were invented. The first to receive a patent was a cellulose-derived substance called Parkesine, which was invented by a man named Alexander Parkes. While this plastic didn't really take off, the first type of plastic made out of synthetic polymers was called Bakelite. Bakelite was used to make hundreds of products for many decades, including radios and jewelry, which are now very collectible.

The invention of vulcanization was an important moment in plastic history, and while this has nothing to do with Mr. Spock from Star Trek, it is interesting nonetheless. The process of vulcanization is a chemical process in which sulfur is added to rubber or similar polymers to create a highly durable or hard material. Tires are one product created using this process, and the Goodyear Tire Company was actually named after the man credited with inventing the concept of vulcanization.

While different polymers are used to create various forms of plastic, there are two main categories of plastics in general. One of these is thermoplastic and the other type is called thermoset plastic. While both are plastic, thermoset plastics are often cheaper to produce and they are highly stable and resistant to heat, which makes them a good options for appliances, computers and vehicles. However, their extreme heat resistance means that they cannot be recycled unlike thermoplastic which can be recycled.

Millions of products are created using thermoplastics, which can be recycled over and over again. Food, beverages, medicines, toys and much more are made out this type of plastic, and even though it costs a bit more than thermoset plastic, it does have plenty of advantages. If you've ever dropped a plastic soda bottle on a hard surface, you've demonstrated one excellent property - thermoplastic is highly impact resistant. Many types of thermoplastic also are chemical resistant which means you can safely store potentially hazardous chemicals in thermoplastic bottles.

One of the biggest advantages of using thermoplastics is that they can be reused again and again. Some thermoplastics are even biodegradable, but those that aren't usually can be recycled. Not only does recycling plastic keep these items out of our landfills, the energy expended to recycle a plastic bottle is far less than the energy needed to produce a plastic bottle using raw materials.




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