Omar Khalid
Plastic is a polymeric material that can be moulded or shaped, with a wide range of physical and chemical properties. These properties are determined by the chemical structure of the polymer's backbone and side chains. Plastics are typically derived from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | High molecular weight organic polymers composed of various elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, chlorine, and silicon atom (silicone) |
| Production | Made from natural materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil through a polymerisation or polycondensation process |
| Plasticity | The property that allows plastic to be moulded or shaped into a diverse range of solid forms |
| Other Properties | Low weight, durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, low toxicity, low cost of production, low density, low electrical conductivity, and transparency |
| Production (1950-2017) | 9.2 billion metric tons |
| Production (2023) | Over 400 million metric tons |
| Annual Global Production (Projection by 2060) | 1.3 billion tons |
| Commodity Plastics | Polyurethanes (PURs), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polystyrene (PS), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN), Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA), Polyurethane (PU), Polypropylene (PP), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) |
| Engineering Plastics | Polyacetal, Polyamide (Nylon), Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), Polycarbonate, Polyphenylene Sulfide, Epoxy, Polyetheretherketone, Thermoplastic Elastomers |
| Additives | Plasticizers (Phthalates), Bisphenols (BPA) |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic is made from hydrocarbons derived from crude oil, natural gas, and coal
- Plastics are polymers composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and chlorine
- Additives are chemicals used to improve the performance of plastics
- Plasticizers are additives that make plastics more flexible and durable
- Some chemicals in plastics are toxic and can be harmful to health
Plastic is made from hydrocarbons derived from crude oil, natural gas, and coal
Plastic is a polymeric material that can be moulded or shaped—a property known as plasticity. It is made from hydrocarbons derived from crude oil, natural gas, and coal. These fossil fuels are composed of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, oxygen, and other minerals. Crude oil, for instance, is a complex mixture of thousands of compounds that must be processed before use.
The production of plastics begins with the distillation of crude oil in an oil refinery, separating the heavy crude oil into lighter components called fractions. Each fraction is a mixture of hydrocarbon chains, which differ in the size and structure of their molecules. One of these fractions, naphtha, is crucial for plastic production. Naphtha is a volatile mixture of liquid hydrocarbons obtained by the distillation of crude oil. When heated to a high temperature of around 800°C in the presence of water vapour, it decomposes into light hydrocarbons called olefins (such as ethylene and propylene) and aromatics (such as benzene, toluene, and xylene).
These small molecules are then linked together to form long molecular chains called polymers. The polymers are still not in their final form, instead taking the shape of granules, powders, or liquids. To customise the properties of the plastic, different molecular groups called side chains are attached to the backbone of the polymer chain. These side chains influence the characteristics of the final product, such as its flexibility or toughness.
While most plastics are produced from natural gas and petroleum, a growing minority are produced from renewable resources, such as polylactic acid, starch, vegetable fats, and oils. These biobased plastics make up a small proportion of plastics today due to the ease of manufacturing methods involved in processing crude oil. However, the limited oil reserves and growing demand are driving the need for newer plastics from renewable sources.
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Plastics are polymers composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and chlorine
Plastics are synthetic materials that exhibit plasticity, or the ability to be moulded or shaped. They are composed of organic polymers, which are themselves made up of chains of carbon atoms, often bonded with hydrogen, and sometimes with oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, or chlorine. These carbon chains can be several thousand units long, and are formed from monomers. The monomers can be rearranged in different patterns to change the shape of the polymer, its molecular weight, and other chemical or physical properties.
The most common source of plastic is hydrocarbons derived from fossil fuels such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal. Crude oil is distilled to separate it into fractions, or groups of lighter components, which are then converted into long-chain hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are then turned into chemicals used to prepare plastics. The two main processes for producing plastics are polymerisation and polycondensation, both of which require specific catalysts. In a polymerisation reactor, monomers such as ethylene and propylene are linked together to form long polymer chains.
Plastics 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. Additionally, they can be classified by their resistance and reactions to various substances and processes, such as exposure to organic solvents, oxidation, and ionizing radiation.
Many of the chemical names of the polymers used in plastics have become familiar to consumers, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Some chemicals are added to plastics to improve their performance, such as plasticizers, which make plastic more flexible and durable. However, some of these chemicals are toxic and do not easily break down, leading to environmental and health concerns.
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Additives are chemicals used to improve the performance of plastics
Plastics are high-molecular-weight organic polymers composed of various elements, such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and chlorine. They are made up of polymeric resins often mixed with other substances called additives. Additives are chemicals that improve the performance of plastics by modifying their properties.
Additives are essential in the process of turning basic polymers into useful plastics. They can be used to improve the processability of plastics by increasing flowability. For example, internal lubricants improve the melt flow of the material by lowering viscosity and heat dissipation. Additives can also be used to reinforce or improve tensile strength, flexural strength, and stiffness.
Additives can also be used to improve the safety and durability of plastics. For instance, flame retardants are added to plastics to meet fire safety standards and regulations. Similarly, polymer stabilizers are chemical additives that inhibit or slow down degradation caused by oxidation, UV exposure, and heat degradation.
Additives can also be used to improve the appearance and colour of plastics. Optical brighteners absorb ultraviolet and violet light and re-emit this energy at a higher wavelength, resulting in a blue glow. Optical bleaches, or "super bleaches", also improve the colour of the product by reducing discoloration and making colours brighter and more vibrant.
Furthermore, additives can be used to create specific characteristics in plastics. For example, anti-fog additives are used to prevent condensation on plastic surfaces. Foaming additives are another method of creating pores inside plastic products, reducing the volume of plastic used while maintaining quality. Plasticizers are another common additive, typically liquid, non-volatile organic substances that improve flexibility, particularly when thermoforming, shaping, and moulding.
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Plasticizers are additives that make plastics more flexible and durable
Plasticizers are additives incorporated into plastics to increase their softness and flexibility. They are non-volatile organic substances, usually in liquid form, that are added to raw polymers to improve their flexibility, make them easier to shape and mould, and reduce friction on their surface. The more plasticizer added, the more flexible the plastic becomes.
Plasticizers are most commonly used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is the third-largest polymer by volume. Unplasticized PVC is used in pipes, window profiles, and siding, whereas plasticized PVC is used in automotive interior trim, cables, PVC films, flooring, roofing, and wall coverings. Plasticizers are also used in medical thermoforming to create IV bags and flexible devices, as well as in telecommunications to form durable, low-friction, flexible casing for wires and cables.
The efficiency of a plasticizer is determined by its ability to make the product softer, and this is reported as a ratio of the slope of the hardness versus the plasticizer concentration. Plasticizer efficiency increases as the molecular weight of the plasticizer decreases. The type and amount of plasticizer used can be tailored to specific requirements, with higher concentrations increasing flexibility and reducing hardness.
Plasticizers have been deemed safe by the Registration for Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), the world's strictest safety regulating organization, as well as by the FDA. However, some plasticizers, particularly phthalates, have been associated with perceived health problems, and risk assessments have been carried out. Certain phthalate plasticizers are California Proposition 65-listed chemicals, known by the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm.
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Some chemicals in plastics are toxic and can be harmful to health
Plastic is a polymeric material that can be moulded or shaped, and its properties can be altered by changing its chemical composition. Plastics are composed of various elements, including carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, chlorine, and silicon. While most plastics are produced from natural gas and petroleum, some are also made from renewable resources like polylactic acid.
Many chemicals added to plastics for flexibility, flame resistance, stain resistance, or durability have not been adequately screened for safety. Scientific data has shown that out of 7,000 substances associated with plastics, more than 3,200 have hazardous properties. Women and children are particularly susceptible to these toxic chemicals. Exposure during fetal development and early childhood can cause neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioural disorders. Research has also documented substantial detrimental effects on male fertility due to exposure to hazardous chemicals in plastics.
Some of the chemicals of major concern in plastics include specific flame retardants, certain UV stabilizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates, bisphenols, alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, biocides, certain metals and metalloids, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These chemicals have been found in a wide range of products, including toys, packaging, electrical equipment, vehicles, textiles, furniture, building materials, and medical devices.
Toxic-Free Future, a non-profit organization, is working to reduce the use of toxic plastics and dangerous chemical additives. They are pushing companies and policymakers to eliminate harmful chemicals and make products safer for consumers. Amazon has also announced that it will stop using some of these chemicals, such as PFAS, phthalates, and bisphenols, in certain private-label food contact materials.
It is important to note that not all plastics contain high-concern chemical additives, and the best way to determine the presence of such chemicals is by requesting information from the product manufacturer or retailer.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic is a polymeric material made up of various elements, including carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and chlorine. It is typically derived from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil.
There are many different types of chemicals in plastic, including additives that improve the performance of plastics. Some make plastic more flexible, durable, resistant to heat and sunlight, or are used for colouring. Some chemicals used in plastics have been flagged as "chemicals of concern" due to their potential environmental and health impacts. These include plasticizers called phthalates and bisphenols such as BPA.
Examples of chemicals of concern in plastics include PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PS (polystyrene), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), and PU (polyurethane). These chemicals have been flagged for their potential persistence in the environment, toxicity, and ability to build up in animals.
The best way to find out if a plastic product contains harmful chemicals is by contacting the product's manufacturer or retailer and requesting this information. Regulatory bodies such as the FDA in the United States are also working to assess and regulate the safety of chemicals used in plastics.
