Plastic is a polymeric substance that can be moulded or formed, typically by the use of heat and pressure. Plasticity, when combined with other specific features such as low density, low electrical conductivity, transparency, and toughness, enables plastics to be produced in a wide range of items. These include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) drinking bottles that are durable and lightweight, PVC garden hoses that are flexible, foamed polystyrene food containers, and polymethyl methacrylate shatterproof windows. The word “plastic” comes from the Greek word “plastikos,” which means “to mould.” Compounds comprising hydrogen and carbon (hydrocarbon) are found in fossil fuels and serve as building blocks for lengthy polymer polymers. Monomers are the building units that connect to produce polymers, which are lengthy carbon chains.
The Polymers
Polymers are chemical compounds with very big molecules that resemble long chains made up of a seemingly unending series of interconnecting links. As mentioned in the chemistry of industrial polymers, the size of these molecules is astounding. The primary causes of the distinctive features associated with plastics—including the ability to be moulded and shaped—are the size of the molecules, their physical state, and the structures that they assume.
Types of Plastics
Plastics are classified into two categories based on their physical properties: thermoplastic and thermosetting.
- Thermoplastics are plastics that, when heated, can be easily warped and bent. Thermoplastics are made up of linear polymers and a combination of linear and cross-linked polymers. PVC, nylon, polythene, and other similar materials are examples.
- Thermosetting plastics cannot be re-softened by heating after they have been formed.
Thermosetting plastics are polymers with a high degree of cross-linking. Bakelite, melamine, and other materials of a similar kind are examples. Bakelite is utilised in the production of electrical switches, whereas melamine is employed in the production of floor tiles.
Advantages of plastics
Over metals, plastics have the following advantages:
- In comparison to metals, plastics are extremely flexible. Plastics will be the best choice for sectors that require design flexibility, geometry, and a variety of textures.
- Plastics are less expensive than metals. Plastic parts are cost-effective to manufacture.
- Plastics are extremely long-lasting and can be used indefinitely. Metals, on the other hand, are far more vulnerable to chemical and weather damage.
- Plastic has substantially lower specific gravity, making it an incredibly light material.
- When compared to metals, the manufacture of plastic is a speedier process.
Uses of Plastics
Plastics are extremely resilient, lightweight, and, most significantly, can be formed into any shape or form. Plastics are most commonly used for these qualities. The following are some examples of how plastics are used:
- Plastic is a poor electrical and thermal conductor. Its insulating properties are utilised to coat electric wires and to produce handles for cooking utensils and other home devices.
- Plastic is an excellent packing material because of its ability to be moulded. Food safety and freshness are aided by the use of plastics in packaging.
- Plastics have aided the electronic field due to their durability and lightweight.
- Plastics are used to produce safety equipment such as helmets and goggles. Plastics are utilised in construction because they are low-maintenance and long-lasting.
- Plastic is robust and light, which makes it ideal for toys, electrical switches, and other home items.
Recycling and Resource Recovery
Recycling is a time-consuming and labour-intensive process that entails numerous processing processes. Before recycling, we must collect the plastic material to be recycled, i.e. waste or scrap plastic. Then, each Plastic item is divided by kind because different types of Plastics must be treated in different ways, and not all plastics are recyclable. Following that, washing is required to remove contaminants that improve the quality of the manufactured product. Plastic components are cleaned and dried before being melted and moulded into a new shape at a controlled temperature.
This lowers the high levels of pollution in land and aquatic bodies. At the same time, recycling reduces the demand for virgin ingredients in the production of new plastic products. There are various technical and economic issues with plastic recycling, which can be divided into two categories: (1) identification, segregation (or sorting), and collection into central stations, and (2) the economics of recovering value.
CONCLUSION
Plastics are high-performance materials with a wide range of qualities that can be found in a variety of forms and applications all around us.
When we look at ourselves, we can see that the majority of the objects are composed of plastic. If a list is made, it will be discovered that seventy to eighty percent of the items in our environment are either made entirely of plastics or contain plastic components. Plastic seats, tables, dishes, umbrellas, hangers, crates, and so forth.
Polythene (poly + ethene) is a type of plastic frequently used in the manufacture of polythene bags. Plastic is a polymer in which the monomer units are arranged in various ways. They can take the form of a linear, branching, or cross-linked structure.