Page 34 - Plastics Nuews October 2017

FEATuRES

Why Is Plastic Important?

The versatility of plastic materials comes from the ability to mold, laminate or shape them, and
to tailor them physically and chemically suitable for almost any application.

very day, people use plastics in various applications. PLASTICS IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY
EOver the last 50 to 60 years, the uses for plastic
have expanded to infiltrate virtually every aspect of The food in your refrigerator may be wrapped in PVC
life. Because of how versatile the material is, and how cling film, your yogurt is probably in plastic tubs, cheese
affordable it can be, it has taken the place of other in plastic wrap and water and milk in blow-molded
products including wood and metals. plastic containers. There are plastics which now prevent
gas escaping from pressurized soda bottles, but cans
The properties of the various types of plastics make and glass are still #1 for beer. For some reason, guys
it beneficial for manufacturers to use. Consumers like just don't like to drink beer from plastic. When it comes
it because it is easy to use, lightweight and easy to to canned beer, though, you will find that the inside
maintains. of the can is often lined with a plastic polymer. How
Most modern plastics are based on organic chemicals which logical is that?
offer a huge range of physical properties to manufacturers PLASTICS IN TRANSPORT
- the range of formulations is a vast and still growing.
There was a time when anything made of plastic was Trains, planes, and automobiles - even ships, satellites
considered to be of inferior quality, but those days are and space stations all use plastics extensively. We use to
past. You are probably wearing plastic right now - maybe build ships from wood and planes from a string (hemp)
apolyester/cotton mix garment or even spectacles or a and canvas (cotton/flax). We had to work with the
watch with plastic components. materials that nature provided. No more - we now design
our own materials. Whatever mode of transport you pick
The versatility of plastic materials comes from the ability you will find plastic is used extensively, for example:
to mold, laminate or shape them, and to tailor them
physically and chemically. There is a plastic suitable for • Seating
almost any application. Plastics do not corrode, though • Panelling
they can degrade in UV (a component of sunlight) and
can be affected by solvents - for example, PVC plastic is • Instrument enclosures
soluble in acetone. • Surface coverings

We are getting wiser, and now many plastics can be
chemically, mechanically or thermally recycled.

PLASTICS IN THE HOME
There is a huge percentage of plastic in your television,
your sound system, your cell phone, your vacuum cleaner
- and probably plastic foam in your furniture too. What
are you walking on? Your floor covering if it is not real
wood probably has a synthetic/natural fiber blend (just
like some of the clothes you wear).

Take a look in the kitchen - you may have plastic chair or
bar stool seats, plastic countertops (acrylic composites,
plastic linings (PTFE) in your non-stick cooking pans, Plastics are even used in combination with other
plastic plumbing in your water system - the list is almost materials are used as structural elements in all kinds
endless. Then go open the refrigerator! of transport. Yes, even skateboards, roller blades and
bicycles.

Plastics News | Octob er 2017 34