Chloe Zhang
Plastic is a synthetic or semi-synthetic material made of polymers. The word 'plastic' is derived from the Ancient Greek πλαστικός (plastikos), meaning capable of being shaped or molded. Plastics are typically thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight that can be made into objects, films, or filaments. They are produced in the form of fibers or sheets and are used in building materials as well as in consumer goods. Plastics can be classified by their chemical composition, physical properties, and resistance to various substances and processes. The defining characteristic of plastics is their plasticity, which allows them to be molded, extruded, or pressed into a diverse range of solid forms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Any of numerous organic synthetic or processed materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight |
| Chemical composition | Polymers having only aliphatic (linear) carbon atoms in their backbone chains or heterochain polymers containing atoms such as oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur in their backbone chains, in addition to carbon |
| Synthesis | Condensation, polyaddition, and cross-linking |
| Physical properties | Hardness, density, tensile strength, thermal resistance, and glass transition temperature |
| Reactions | Resistance and reactions to various substances and processes, such as exposure to organic solvents, oxidation, and ionizing radiation |
| Manufacturing | Thermoplastics, thermosets, conductive polymers, biodegradable plastics, engineering plastics, and elastomers |
| Reversibility | Degree to which the chemical processes used to make them are reversible or not |
| Production | Between 1950 and 2017, 9.2 billion metric tons of plastic were produced, with more than half of this amount produced since 2004 |
| Synthetic | Synthetic or semi-synthetic material that’s made of polymers |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic is a synthetic or semi-synthetic material made of polymers
- Plastic is derived from the Ancient Greek πλαστικός (plastikos), meaning capable of being shaped or moulded
- Plasticity allows moulding, extrusion, or compression into various forms
- Plastic is produced from natural gas, petroleum, and renewable resources
- Plastic is classified by chemical processes, physical properties, and reactions to substances
Plastic is a synthetic or semi-synthetic material made of polymers
The word "plastic" is derived from the Ancient Greek πλαστικός (plastikos), meaning "capable of being shaped or molded." In modern usage, the word "plastic" typically refers to synthetic or semi-synthetic materials made of polymers. Plastics are organic synthetic or processed materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight. They can be molded or shaped, typically using heat and pressure, into a diverse range of solid objects, films, or filaments. This property of plasticity, along with other desirable characteristics such as low weight, durability, flexibility, and low cost, has led to the widespread use of plastics around the world.
Plastics can be produced in the form of fibers or sheets and are used in a variety of applications, from building materials to consumer goods. They can be classified by their chemical composition, physical properties, and resistance to various substances and processes. The chemical names of polymers used in plastics, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), have become familiar to consumers. However, some plastics are known by their trade names, such as Styrofoam and Plexiglas.
Thermosets, or thermosetting polymers, can only be melted and shaped once. After solidification, they retain their shape permanently and decompose if reheated. Examples of thermosets include epoxy resin and polyimide. On the other hand, thermoplastics are polymers that can be repeatedly molded upon heating, demonstrating the elasticity often associated with rubber.
The production and use of plastics have significantly increased over the years. Between 1950 and 2017, an estimated 9.2 billion metric tons of plastic were produced, with more than half of this amount occurring since 2004. The demand for plastic is projected to continue rising, leading to environmental concerns and a growing emphasis on eco-friendly alternatives.
While the term "plastic" covers a diverse range of materials, it is important to distinguish between synthetic and semi-synthetic plastics and their potential environmental impacts. Some plastic alternatives may be marketed as eco-friendly, but they could still be similar in composition to conventional plastics. Therefore, understanding the specific types of plastics and their properties is crucial in making informed decisions about their use and disposal.
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Plastic is derived from the Ancient Greek πλαστικός (plastikos), meaning capable of being shaped or moulded
The word "plastic" is derived from the Ancient Greek πλαστικός (plastikos), meaning "capable of being shaped or moulded". The Ancient Greeks used this word to describe a material's plasticity, or its ability to be moulded, extruded, or compressed into a variety of shapes. Plasticity is a defining characteristic of plastics, allowing them to be moulded into a diverse range of solid forms.
Plastics are organic synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight. They can be produced in the form of fibres or sheets and are used in building materials and consumer goods. Plastics are typically made from natural gas and petroleum, but a growing number are produced from renewable resources.
Polymers are a key component of plastics, and the chemical names of these polymers have become familiar to consumers. For example, polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl chloride are commonly referred to as PET and PVC, respectively. Plastics can be classified by their chemical composition, physical properties, and resistance to various substances and processes.
The first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, who coined the term "plastics". Plastics have since become widespread due to their adaptability and desirable properties, such as low weight, durability, and low cost. However, the term "plastic" covers a wide range of materials, some of which are replaceable by more eco-friendly alternatives.
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Plasticity allows moulding, extrusion, or compression into various forms
The word "plastic" is derived from the Ancient Greek πλαστικός (plastikos), meaning "capable of being shaped or moulded," which itself comes from πλαστος (plastos), meaning "moulded" or "formed". In modern usage, the word "plastic" most commonly refers to synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that can be moulded or shaped, typically by applying heat and pressure. This property of plasticity allows plastics to be formed into a wide range of products, such as films, fibres, plates, tubes, bottles, and boxes.
Plastics are typically made from polymers, which are long chains of carbon atoms, sometimes with oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms attached. These polymers can be natural or synthetic, and they give plastic its characteristic ability to be deformed without breaking. This plasticity is what allows plastics to be moulded, extruded, or compressed into various forms.
Moulding is a process where plastic is shaped by flowing molten polymer into a mould, where it hardens into the desired shape. This process can create a wide range of products, from toys to electrical connectors to beverage bottles. Extrusion, on the other hand, involves forcing softened plastic through a die to create a continuous shape, such as pipes, tubing, or films. Compression is a similar process to moulding, where plastic is compressed into a mould under high pressure, often with heat, to form the desired shape.
The versatility of plastics, due to their plasticity, has led to their widespread use in various industries, including packaging, construction, automotive, and consumer goods. Different types of plastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride, are used for their specific properties like strength, durability, transparency, or flexibility. However, the variety of chemicals and toxins in plastics has also led to concerns about their environmental impact and potential harm to people.
Plastics can also be classified by their physical properties, such as hardness, density, tensile strength, thermal resistance, and glass transition temperature. Additionally, they can be categorised as thermoplastics or thermosets based on their ability to be reheated and remoulded. Thermoplastics can be repeatedly softened and remoulded upon heating, while thermosets can only melt and take shape once; after solidifying, they retain their shape permanently.
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Plastic is produced from natural gas, petroleum, and renewable resources
The word "plastic" comes from the Ancient Greek πλαστικός (plastikos), meaning "capable of being shaped or moulded". The word can be traced back to πλαστός (plastos), which means "moulded" or "formed". In modern usage, the word "plastic" typically refers to solid synthetic products derived from petrochemical manufacturing.
Plastics are synthetic or semisynthetic materials composed primarily of polymers. Their plasticity, or deformability, allows them to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into various solid forms, such as films, fibres, plates, tubes, bottles, and boxes. This adaptability, coupled with their low weight, durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, low toxicity, and low-cost production, has led to their widespread use worldwide.
Most plastics are produced from natural gas and petroleum. Natural gas is a significant feedstock for plastics production, and crude oil refining also provides feedstocks. The petrochemical industry uses a variety of feedstocks, including naphtha and other refined oils, to create the building blocks for plastics. However, the specific amounts and origins of these feedstocks are challenging to determine.
A growing minority of plastics are produced from renewable resources like polylactic acid. The development of bioplastics is becoming increasingly important due to the limited nature of fossil fuel reserves and the environmental impact of burning these fuels. Bioplastics are made from renewable plant materials such as cellulose and starch. The global production capacity for bio-based plastics is estimated at 327,000 tonnes per year, while the production of leading petrochemical-derived polyolefins, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), was estimated at over 150 million tonnes in 2015.
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Plastic is classified by chemical processes, physical properties, and reactions to substances
The word "plastic" is derived from the Ancient Greek "plastikos", meaning "capable of being shaped or moulded". Plastics are synthetic polymers, which means they are very large molecules made by linking together many smaller, repeating units called monomers. This process of joining monomers into long chains is called polymerisation.
Plastics are usually classified by the chemical structure of the polymer's backbone and side chains. They can be classified by the chemical processes used in their synthesis, such as condensation, polyaddition, and cross-linking. They can also be classified by their physical properties, including hardness, density, tensile strength, thermal resistance, and glass transition temperature.
Plastics can further be classified by their resistance and reactions to various substances and processes, such as exposure to organic solvents, oxidation, and ionizing radiation. For example, thermoplastics do not undergo chemical change in their composition when heated and thus can be moulded repeatedly. On the other hand, thermosets, or thermosetting polymers, can melt and take shape only once; after they have solidified, they stay solid and retain their shape permanently. If reheated, thermosets decompose rather than melt.
Other classifications of plastics are based on qualities relevant to manufacturing or product design for a particular purpose. Examples include thermoplastics, thermosets, conductive polymers, biodegradable plastics, engineering plastics, and elastomers. One important classification of plastics is the degree to which the chemical processes used to make them are reversible or not.
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Frequently asked questions
The word "plastic" comes from the Ancient Greek πλαστικός (plastikos), meaning "capable of being shaped or molded," which itself comes from πλαστός (plastos), meaning "molded" or "formed."
Plastic describes all polymers, including naturally occurring polymers such as shellac, tortoiseshell, cellulose, amber, and latex from tree sap. A polymer is a substance made of many repeating units.
Plastic is a material comprising a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic compounds that are malleable and can be molded into solid objects.
In modern usage, the word plastic most commonly refers to the solid synthetic products of petrochemical-derived manufacturing.
