Plastics
Plastics
Plastics (pronunciation: /ˈplastɪks/) are a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that use polymers as a main ingredient. Their plasticity makes it possible for plastics to be moulded, extruded or pressed into solid objects of various shapes. This adaptability, plus a wide range of other properties, such as being light weight, durable, flexible, and inexpensive to produce, has led to its widespread use.
Etymology
The word plastic derives from the Greek plastikos meaning "capable of being shaped or molded," and in turn from plastos meaning "molded." It was first used in the 17th century to describe a malleable or flexible material, but in the early 20th century, it was used to describe the category of polymers we now know as plastics.
Types of Plastics
There are two main types of plastics: Thermoplastics and Thermosetting polymers. Thermoplastics are plastics that can be repeatedly melted and reshaped, while thermosetting polymers can only be shaped once and become rigid when cooled.
Other types of plastics include:
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polystyrene (PS)
Related Terms
- Polymerization: The process of creating polymers, the main component of plastics.
- Bioplastics: A type of plastic derived from renewable sources, such as vegetable fats and oils.
- Microplastics: Tiny pieces of plastic that are less than 5mm long and are harmful to our oceans and aquatic life.
- Plastic recycling: The process of recovering waste or scrap plastic and reprocessing the material into useful products.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Plastics
- Wikipedia's article - Plastics
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