The moment we wake up, we start our daily work like brushing, making our breakfast, showering, combing our hair, packing our lunch box and bottle and the list goes on. But did you notice one thing? All these tasks have one thing in common which is plastic, whether our toothbrush, comb, bucket and even our lunch box and water bottle are plastic. So, we realize that we are surrounded by plastic, but do we know what plastic is? How is this done? What are the types of plastic? Well, we are going to find answers to all these questions in this article.
the plastic
The term plastic was derived from the Greek word 'Plastikos' which means that it can be easily molded or molded. In the year 1846, plastic was first discovered by the famous German chemist Christian Schonbein. Now, let's define plastics, so they are a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that have polymers as their main component. We can also define Plastic as polymers with long carbon chains. We discussed that we are all surrounded by plastic, but not all plastics are created equal.
Watch the handle of the frying pan and the plastic water bottle if you hold them in front of the fire and you will notice that the bottle starts to melt as the handle heats up. Now both are made of plastic, but both have different properties. So this is happening because both materials are made from different types of plastic: thermosets and thermoplastics, respectively.
types of plastic
Based on physical properties, plastics can be classified into two types: thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics. Let's analyze each of them:
thermoplastic
There are some plastics that soften when they heat up and harden again when they cool down, like the water bottle that melts in the heat. Therefore, this type of plastic is known as thermoplastic. Therefore,Thermoplastics are plastics that can be easily molded by heating.Thermoplastics are also called "thermo-softening" plastics, as they soften easily when heated. That's why we use thermoplastic to make products that don't get hot and are flexible to use.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene are some good examples of thermoplastics.
In our daily use, we all use thermoplastic items such as toys, combs, brushes, water bottles, etc. In addition, we use thermoplastics to insulate electrical wires and cables, since plastics are poor conductors of heat and thermoplastics can be easily bent. or flexible.
thermoset plastics
Therefore, these types of plastic are totally different from thermoplastics. Thus, plastics that do not soften when heated are called thermosetting plastics, orThermosets are plastics that cannot be easily molded by heating.. So thermosetting plastic cannot be refurbished afterwards, we can say that it is a permanent plastic. Thermoset plastics also called thermosets. Therefore, we can conclude that thermosetting plastics are hard and rigid, they cannot be bent (they are not flexible).
Bakelite and melamine are some examples of thermosetting plastics.
That's why we use thermosetting plastics to make products that don't mold when heated during use and are hard and rigid. In our day-to-day life, we use thermosetting plastics to manufacture tiles, electrical accessories (such as switches, plugs and outlets), pens and telephones, etc.
Useful properties of plastics
We've all heard that necessity is the mother of invention, which means that if we need something very essential, we're forced to find a way to get it. Plastic is a type. It has some advantages that replace the old materials made of jute, wood, metals, etc. Let's analyze each of them:
Plastic is a poor conductor of heat and electricity.
Plastics are insulators, as they do not conduct heat or electricity. For example, we use plastic to make frying pans, as it does not conduct heat. Also, plastics are used to make insulation for electrical wires and cables, since plastics are poor conductors of heat.
Plastics can be molded into different shapes.
Since plastics can be molded, we can make many things using plastics. If we look at our environment, we can see that we are all surrounded by plastics, from basic things to things that are not useful, such as decorative things, they are all made of plastic. Lunchbox, utensils, stationery, appliances, toothbrushes and the list is endless.
Plastics are not reactive.
Unlike metals, plastics do not react. We have seen how iron corrodes in the presence of oxygen and moisture. But plastics don't react with water or oxygen, and they don't react with many chemicals either. Because of this property, many chemicals (which do not react with plastics) are stored in plastic containers.
Plastics cost less and are easily manufactured.
Plastic is much cheaper than metals and other materials. Also, it can be manufactured more easily than other materials such as metals. This is the reason why plastic is very popular among the masses as everyone can buy things made from plastic. Today, all of our household and kitchen utensils are made of plastic.
Plastic is lightweight and durable by nature.
Unlike metals, plastic has much less weight and is also very durable in nature. Due to this property, people preferred plastics to store things and everything.
sample questions
Question 1: Define Plastic and give some examples of plastic.
Responder:
Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that have polymers as their main component. We can also define Plastic as polymers with long carbon chains. For example, polyethylene bags, toothbrushes and combs are made of plastic.
Question 2: Why electrical cables covered with thermoplastics?
Responder:
Thermoplastic is used to make insulation for electrical wires and cables, since plastics are poor conductors of heat and thermoplastic can bend or flex easily.
Question 3: Why? Are the pot handles thermosetting plastic?
Responder:
Thermoset plastics are used to make frying pans as we all know that thermosets do not mold in the presence of heat. So when we cook food in the pot, the handle doesn't mold.
Question 4: What are thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics?
Responder:
Thermoplastics are plastics that can be easily molded by heating. Thermoplastics are also called "thermo-softening" plastics, as they soften easily when heated. That's why we use thermoplastic to make products that don't get hot and are flexible to use. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene are some good examples of thermoplastics. Thermosetting plastic cannot be refurbished later, we can say that it is a permanent plastic. Thermoset plastics also called thermosets. Therefore, we can conclude that thermosetting plastics are hard and rigid, they cannot be bent (they are not flexible). Bakelite and melamine are some examples of thermosetting plastics.
Question 5: Indicate at least 3 uses of plastics.
Responder:
Following are some uses of plastics:-
Plastics can be molded into different shapes.Since plastics can be molded, we can make many things using plastics. If we look at our environment, we can see that we are all surrounded by plastics, from basic things to things that are not useful, such as decorative things, they are all made of plastic. Lunchbox, utensils, stationery, appliances, toothbrushes and the list is endless.
Plastics are not reactive.Unlike metals, plastics do not react. We have seen how iron corrodes in the presence of oxygen and moisture. But plastics don't react with water or oxygen, and they don't react with many chemicals either. Because of this property, many chemicals (which do not react with plastics) are stored in plastic containers.
Plastics cost less and are easily manufactured.Plastic is much cheaper than metals and other materials. Also, it can be manufactured more easily than other materials such as metals. This is the reason why plastic is very popular among the masses as everyone can buy things made from plastic. Today, all of our household and kitchen utensils are made of plastic.
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