In the past 60 years, plastics have developed an amazing presence in our lives. In fact, if there were no plastics, you would be in for quite a shock. In just a few short decades, consumers have come to consider the extraordinary properties of plastics as nothing out of the ordinary. Plastics’ popularity and wide usage can be attributed to one basic fact: because of their range of properties and design technologies, plastics offer consumer benefits unsurpassed by other materials.

There are about 45 basic families of plastics, and each of these can be made with hundreds of variations.
An example is the polyethylene family. Polyethylene is the material from which most plastic household packaging is made. This versatile plastic comes in nearly 1,000 different grades!

By controlling factors such as melt indices, molecular weights, molecular weight distributions, densities, etc., plastics can be created with specific properties, each designed for a special use. For instance, polyethylene can be used to produce:

• Plastic film that stretches (and film that doesn’t stretch);
• Plastic film that is transparent (and film that is opaque);
• Pipe that carries drinking water and tanks that hold gasoline;
• Bottles that hold liquids ranging from milk to motor oil, juices and shampoos.

And this is just ONE of the 45 basic families

Members of different plastics families can be combined to produce new materials with additional properties. Mix in additives and reinforcements through a technique called compounding, and you can get even more advantages: practically any color without painting; sections as stiff as steel at less than half the weight; containers that let oxygen in but keep nitrogen out – just about anything you need.

And, finally plastics can be combined with other types of materials to produce yet more products and possibilities.

Plastics are made from materials found in nature – petroleum, natural gas and coal. Basic compounds – carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, for example – are extracted from these materials and then combined in an almost infinite number of ways to produce the many kinds of plastics used today.
Small molecules (monomers) found in the basic compounds are linked together using heat, pressure and the addition of reactive agents to form longer, giant molecules known as polymers, or plastics.

There are more than 30 distinct methods of converting plastic raw materials into finished parts. Four of the most prevalent are:

• Blow molding – for hollow objects (bottles, drums, containers)
• Molding – for solid objects (appliance housings, CD’s, boat hulls, etc.)
• Extrusion – for flat, rolled and tubular shapes (windows, doors, siding)
• Casting – for objects made from liquid resins (sink bowls, furniture, etc.)

PLASTICS AT HOME

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The impact of plastics in the home has been profound – both inside and out. Today’s working parents and busy homes demand the convenience of plastic packaging and need the services plastic packaging can provide. More and more, consumers are turning to plastic packaging because it:

• Protects products – Plastic wrap allows perishable foods to retain their freshness longer. • Resealable and storage bags allow access while protecting leftovers.
• Resists breakage – Shatter-resistant plastic bottles are safe for use in kitchen, bath or laundry.
• Makes handling easier – Economy sizes weigh much less in plastic, and convenient handles make them easy to use – saving both effort and money.
• Allows tamper protection – Shrink-wrap bands and tamper-evident/child-proof closures protect consumers and provide peace of mind for parents.
• Adds convenience – For microwave cooking, plastic trays are the package of choice for consumers.

Plastics Help You Make Your House More Of A Home

The use of plastics in the home extends far beyond packaging. Today’s homeowners and building professionals rely on plastics more and more.

• Carpet – Stain- and crush-resistant carpeting is a plastic product. The use of plastic ensures a durable product that will be enjoyed for years
• Upholstery – Much of our furniture upholstery incorporates plastic fibers. Both the covering and padding gain benefits from plastic’s durability, stain and fade resistance.
• Countertops – The advanced plastic countertops of today can be made with the impact resistance of granite, while possessing any number of custom finishes.
• Electrical Components – Without plastic sheathing few homeowners would feel safe using electricity. A multitude of plastic products provides for the safe use of electricity.
• Plumbing Supplies – The majority of our plumbing needs are handled by plastic PVC or ABS pipe. Tub surrounds and even full shower units are composed primarily of plastic.
• Exterior Shutters – Plastic shutters are made to withstand years of heat, wind, rain, snow, bitter cold and still maintain the appearance expected of an accent pane
• Insulation – Plastic foam insulating panels offer excellent insulating properties, ease of handling and installation, without any of the concerns for airborne particulate matter.
• Vinyl Siding – Many of today’s homebuilders and remodelers find PVC siding to be an excellent material for all project levels. Excellent impact resistance, low maintenance costs, ease of installation, and superior color retention are only a few of the benefits.
• Vinyl Window & Door Products – Plastic has a prominent position in both fenestration and entryway applications. Today’s vinyl window and door products are made from plastic materials that are durable, require low maintenance, have superior color retention, and ensure trouble-free use for the life of the product.

Plastics Form The Substance Of Your Building Ideas.

PLASTICS AT WORK

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Enter today’s typical office and you encounter another realm of plastics – in the furniture and upholstery; the telephone system; the computers and their floppy/optical discs; the business machines and office supplies; the flooring and wall coverings. The business world relies on plastic every day, but so do many other workplaces.

• Teachers – Erasable writing surfaces, notebooks, rulers, desks, chairs and classroom computers, as well as in the cafeteria and on the athletic fields.
• Farmers – Irrigation piping, agricultural “films” for mulching, tools and septic tanks.
• Factory Workers – The pulleys and gears of the assembly line, in corrosion- and chemical-resistant tanks and pipes, on the non-stick roller of mills, and in safety glasses and machine guards.
• Professional Football Players – Plastic helmets and pads, and plays on synthetic “grass” made of plastic materials.
• Truckers – Plastic automotive parts that lighten rigs and reduce fuel costs.
• Manufacturers – Plastic packaging which ensures safety and reduces shipping costs.
• Medical Personnel – Intravenous feeding tubes or an artificial heart.

Plastics Serve You Every Day

PLASTICS AT PLAY

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• From the Hula-Hoop of the 1950’s to the latest film showing at the local theater, plastics continue to play a major role in the ways Americans have fun.
• Performance – Many products have had their performance improved by tough, lightweight plastics. Bowling balls, skateboard wheels, skis, fishing rods, lines and lures, running shoes, bicycle frames and pleasure boats.
• Safety – Plastics have also contributed to the safety of many athletic activities. Safety helmets, pads, mouth guards, facemasks and other protective gear.
• Comfort – Plastic serves to enhance comfort in other activities and for spectators. Plastic domes in sporting arenas, campers and recreational vehicles, outdoor furniture.
• Leisure Activities – Plastics are working hard to make our play more fun. Relaxing to video and audiocassettes, watching television, listening to the radio. Playing stereos or compact disc player, or wrestling with computer games.

Plastics Make Having Fun Easier.

PLASTICS ON THE GO 

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Have plastics, will travel! In transportation, plastics save energy while providing comfort, styling, safety and affordability.

Down-To-Earth Performance

• In car interiors, plastics permit flexible styling, broader color use, greater comfort, and better safety and production savings.
• Plastics increasingly are being used under the hood. Ignition systems, wiring harnesses, reservoirs, manifolds, distributor caps, filters and battery housings are just a few of many applications.

High-Flying Materials

• Airplane interiors are now largely plastics. And new uses continue to be found for plastic materials in the structural and functional parts of planes, reducing weight and adding performance.
• In the case of helicopters and other rotorcraft, the use of plastics reduces the number of parts from more than 10,000 to about 1,500, and the number of fasteners by 90 percent.

Plastics Help Keep Us All On The Go

PLASTICS – A LIFE SAVER

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A diversity of types and forms allows plastics to perform a wide variety of health-care functions, making surgery and general health care easier, safer and less painful.

• Filtering devices require material that is transparent, sterilized and precisely moldable.
• Tubing requires material that will bend but not break.
• Medical packaging requires material that can conform to any shape and protect against contamination.
• Crutches and walkers require material that can support body weight and hold up to stress.
• Medical machinery housings require material that can protect sensitive electronics from electromagnetic and radio interference.

Plastics Are More Than Convenient, They Are Vital The products and applications mentioned here only touch on the many contributions plastics make to the quality of life today. New techniques and new generations of tailor-made plastics promise still more breakthroughs in science, health, engineering, transportation and many other fields. So look around you. And look ahead.

The story of plastics is just beginning.