Just about every product has some amount of plastic on it or in it, but it is important to note that there are many different types of plastics and each has its own special uses. Plastics are substances that are created using polymers that are either synthetic or partly synthetic. Plastics are identified by a special resin code that explains which polymers were used to create the plastic. Here are a few more important bits of information about the plastics we use.
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.
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.
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.
Water bottles, soda bottles, food storage containers, pill bottles, laundry detergent and thousands of other products are made with thermoplastic or placed in thermoplastic packaging. The cost of thermoplastics is higher than thermoset plastics, but thermoplastics are impact resistant and chemical resistant. This means they don't break when you drop them, and they don't leach out harmful chemicals that are stored 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.
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.
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.
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.
Water bottles, soda bottles, food storage containers, pill bottles, laundry detergent and thousands of other products are made with thermoplastic or placed in thermoplastic packaging. The cost of thermoplastics is higher than thermoset plastics, but thermoplastics are impact resistant and chemical resistant. This means they don't break when you drop them, and they don't leach out harmful chemicals that are stored 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.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell loves blogging about how stuff is made. For further info about custom plastic packaging solutions or to find out more about thermoform plastics, please visit the Indepak.com site now.
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