Plastics
APS ACADEMY
What are Plastics?
Plastics are polymers just like other synthetic
fibres.
Different plastics have different
types of arrangement.
Some plastics have linear
arrangement, and some plastics
are cross–linked
In this figure, the first is linear and the others are
Why are Plastics so popular?
Plastics have a lot of characteristics that make them
extremely popular.
1. They are easily moldable and can be shaped in any
form.
2. Plastics can be melted, recycled and reused.
3. Plastics can be coloured.
4. Plastics can be rolled into sheets and made into wires.
Classification based on
Moldable nature
Some plastics can be bent easily, while others break
when forced to bend. There are two types of plastics:
1. Thermoplastic – If you add hot water to a plastic
bottle, it gets deformed easily. Such plastics bend
easily and can be molded into desired shapes.
2. Thermosetting Plastics – Once molded into a shape,
these plastics can not be softened by heating.
Arrangement in
Thermoplastics and
Thermosetting
Thermoplastics have chains that are held together by
weak forces of attractions.
In thermosetting plastics
there is a cross link that
binds the different chains.
Thus, thermosetting plastics can not be molded easily
Even on heating, thermosetting plastics retain their
shape. Thus they are useful for making fire resistant
stuff.
Thermoplastics
Thermoplastics bend easily on heating
Polythene and PVC are examples
of thermoplastics.
Thermoplastics are used for
manufacturing toys, combs, and
other types of containers.
Thermosetting Plastics
Thermosetting plastics can not be softened easily on heating
Bakelite and Melamine are examples
of thermosetting.
Bakelite is a poor conductor of
electricity and is used to make
electrical switches.
Melamine resists fire and can tolerate heat better than other
plastics. It is used to make floor tiles, kitchenware and other
Using Plastics
There are several characteristics of plastics that
make them highly desirable:
1. Plastics are non-reactive
2. Plastics are light, strong and durable
3. Plastics are poor conductors
Plastics are non-
reactive
Metals like iron get rusted easily when exposed
to air and water.
However, plastics do not react with water and
air and do not get corroded.
Therefore, they are used to store various kinds
of materials including chemicals.
Plastics are light, strong and
durable
Since plastics are light and strong, they can be
used to make buckets.
Due to these properties, they are widely used in
industries and for making household articles.
Plastics are Poor Conductors
Plastics are poor conductors of both heat and
electricity
Since it is a poor conductor of electricity, it is used
to make covering of electrical wires and handles of
screw drivers
Since it is a poor conductor of heat, it is used to
make handles of frying pans.
Plastics and
Environment
Disposal of plastic is a major problem because it
is non–biodegradable.
A material that gets decomposed through
natural processes such as action of bacteria is
biodegradable
Plastics are not decomposed by bacteria even
after hundreds of years
Plastics are a major source of land and water
Plastics and
Environment
In addition to being non-biodegradable, plastics do not get burnt
easily either.
On burning plastics release lots of poisonous fumes in the air,
causing air pollution.
Due of these hazards, plastics should be recycled as much as
possible
Thermoplastics, owing to its moldable nature can be recycled easily
Always remember the eco-friendly 4Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle,
recover.
