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.
In ancient times, people made items out of natural plastics formed from rubber mixed with items such as blood protein or egg. As the centuries passed, scientists experimented with different polymers and compounds, and eventually man-made forms of plastic were created. The first to earn a patent was Alexander Parkes, who invented Parkesine in 1856, although this cellulose-based plastic did not enjoy widespread use. In fact today, ping pong balls and guitar picks are about the only items produced with this plastic. Bakelite, the first plastic created from a synthetic polymer, came along a few years later and was widely used for the first half of the 20th century.
When you hear the words vulcanization, you might believe these words refer to something having to do with Star Trek, but actually this is a process where rubber is converted into a highly durable material. Many products are made using this process, most notably perhaps are tires. The Goodyear Tire Company, which was founded in 1898, was named after one of the pioneers of vulcanization, Charles Goodyear. But vulcanization is also used to create products such as bowling balls, although these days, the balls are usually made out of polyester.
In addition to being made of various polymers, plastics are often divided in these two categories: thermoset plastic and thermoplastic. Thermoset plastics are quite resistant to heat and are less expensive than thermoplastic, which is easy to melt and mold. Thermoset plastic cannot be recycled, but it's quite strong and is used in automobiles as well as computers and appliances.
Thermoplastics are used to create thousands of products, including the millions of bottles we use every day which hold water, soda and other beverages. While thermoplastics tend to be a bit more expensive than thermoset plastics, they do have several big advantages. For instance, thermoplastics are more impact resistant than thermoset plastics. Thermoplastics also can be highly chemical resistant which is why certain thermoplastics are used to hold products such as bleach, laundry detergent and drain cleaner.
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.
In ancient times, people made items out of natural plastics formed from rubber mixed with items such as blood protein or egg. As the centuries passed, scientists experimented with different polymers and compounds, and eventually man-made forms of plastic were created. The first to earn a patent was Alexander Parkes, who invented Parkesine in 1856, although this cellulose-based plastic did not enjoy widespread use. In fact today, ping pong balls and guitar picks are about the only items produced with this plastic. Bakelite, the first plastic created from a synthetic polymer, came along a few years later and was widely used for the first half of the 20th century.
When you hear the words vulcanization, you might believe these words refer to something having to do with Star Trek, but actually this is a process where rubber is converted into a highly durable material. Many products are made using this process, most notably perhaps are tires. The Goodyear Tire Company, which was founded in 1898, was named after one of the pioneers of vulcanization, Charles Goodyear. But vulcanization is also used to create products such as bowling balls, although these days, the balls are usually made out of polyester.
In addition to being made of various polymers, plastics are often divided in these two categories: thermoset plastic and thermoplastic. Thermoset plastics are quite resistant to heat and are less expensive than thermoplastic, which is easy to melt and mold. Thermoset plastic cannot be recycled, but it's quite strong and is used in automobiles as well as computers and appliances.
Thermoplastics are used to create thousands of products, including the millions of bottles we use every day which hold water, soda and other beverages. While thermoplastics tend to be a bit more expensive than thermoset plastics, they do have several big advantages. For instance, thermoplastics are more impact resistant than thermoset plastics. Thermoplastics also can be highly chemical resistant which is why certain thermoplastics are used to hold products such as bleach, laundry detergent and drain cleaner.
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.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell loves blogging about how stuff is made. For further information about custom plastic packaging solutions or to find out more about thermoform plastics, please check out the Indepak site now.
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