What is Plastic?
Polymers are long chains of molecules (mostly carbon) bonded to each other. The smallest molecule which has to be repeated again and again to form a long chain is called a monomer. In other words, a monomer is the repeating unit of a polymer.
Polymers can have a linear structure, branched or cross-linked structure. Most of the materials that are called Plastics are polymers.
Plastic is a specific type of polymer that can change its shape. Plastics are made from petroleum. Many things around us are made of Plastics. For example Polythene, toys, bags, chairs, tables, boxes etc.
There are some well-known Plastics around us. They are polypropylene (chair, tables etc), polystyrene(Plastic spoons & forks, cups etc), polyamide (usually known as nylon) used in toothbrushes, car parts etc. Polythene is a very commonly used Plastic, mostly in the form of carrying bags.
Types of Plastics
There are two major types of Plastics based on their heat management nature. They are:
1. Thermosetting Plastics
The Plastics which when cooled and hardened once lose their ability to change dimensions on heating are known as thermosetting Plastics. These Plastics retain their shapes and can not return to their original form i.e they are irreversible. This type of Plastic is used for making auto parts, aircraft parts etc.
Bakelite and melamine are some examples of thermosetting Plastics. Once they are given a shape and cooled, they cannot be melted again to form a new shape.
2. ThermoPlastics
Plastics that soften upon heating and return to their original form are called thermoPlastics. They can be moulded and remoulded again and again. ThermoPlastics are used for low-stress applications such as Plastic bags or high-stress mechanical parts. This type of Plastic is first heated and then cooled to get the final shape. The material can be reheated, reshaped and cooled repeatedly i.e thermoPlastics are recyclable. They do not lose their dimension changing ability.
For example, Polythene and poly-ethylene are the most commonly used thermoPlastics in our daily life.
Plastic Recycling
Recycling is a difficult process that involves many processing steps. Before recycling, we have to collect the Plastic material that is to be recycled i.e waste or scrap Plastic. Then, every Plastic item is separated according to its type because different types of Plastics must be processed in different ways and not all Plastics are recyclable. After this, washing has to be done to remove impurities that enhance the quality of the manufactured product. Cleaned and dried Plastic items are then melted at a regulated temperature and moulded into a new shape.
This reduces high rates of polluting land and water bodies. At the same time, recycling puts less pressure on virgin materials to produce new Plastic products.
Advantages of Plastics
Plastics of the following advantages over metals:
Plastics are highly flexible as compared to metals. For industries that need designing options, geometry and different kinds of textures, Plastics are going to be the most suited materials.
Plastics are cheaper as compared to metals. The manufacturing of Plastic parts is budget-friendly.
Plastics are highly durable and can last for an indefinitely long period. Metals, on the other hand, are much more prone to chemical and weather susceptibilities.
The specific gravity of Plastic is much lower making it an extremely lightweight material.
The manufacturing of Plastic is a faster process as compared to metals.
Uses of Plastics
Plastics are highly durable, lightweight and most importantly can be moulded into any form or shape. These properties account for the largest usage of Plastics. Plastics are extremely versatile materials and can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Some usage of Plastics are given below:
The ability to be moulded makes Plastic ideal packaging material. Plastics in packaging help to keep foods safe and fresh.
Being durable and lightweight, Plastics have helped in the electronic field. From computers and cell phones to television and microwave, almost all appliances around us make some use of Plastic.
Plastics are used to make safety gear like helmets, goggles etc. Plastics are used in the construction industry due to their low maintenance and high durability.
Plastic is strong and lightweight, that is why it is useful in making toys, electrical switches and other household products.
Being non-reactive with air and water, Plastic is used to store water in Plastic bottles and other chemicals in chemical laboratories.
Plastic is a poor conductor of electricity and heat. Its insulation property is used for coating the electric wire and to make handles of cooking utensils and various household products.
Fun Fact:
John Wesley Hyatt invented the first synthetic Plastic in 1869. In 1907, Leo Baekeland invented bakelite which was the world's first completely manufactured synthetic Plastic.
FAQs on Uses of Plastics
1. How to download the Vedantu explanation on the Uses of Plastics from the Website in PDF format?
The Vedantu website provides a download of the Explanation on the topic Uses of Plastics, which is accurate and well-structured. Vedantu's official website provides the explanation in PDF version which is available for download for free of cost. Students are advised to download the explanation on Uses of Plastics from the Vedantu website to get an idea of the word limit, sentence construction and basic understanding of what a good essay consists of. Vedantu essay is concise and apt for school going students. It uses simple language, perfect for students with limited vocabulary. Following the Vedantu explanation enables students to be sufficiently prepared for any questions on the topic of Uses of Plastic and guarantees that students will score good marks. To access the Explanation on Uses of Plastics n, vist Vedantu website.
2. Why is Plastic bad for the environment?
Nonrenewable resources such as coal, natural gas, and crude oil are used to make Plastics. Because Plastic bags take a long time to disintegrate, they have a substantial environmental impact. If toxic compounds are allowed to deteriorate, there is concern that they will leak into the environment. Rather than degrading completely, Plastic dissolves into smaller chunks and microscopic particles known as microPlastics. MicroPlastics regularly end up in bodies of water, endangering animals. Furthermore, dangerous chemicals are released into the soil when Plastic bags degrade in the sun, and harmful substances are released into the air when Plastic bags are burnt, resulting in air pollution. All of these reasons make Plastic one of the most harmful materials on the earth for all of these reasons.
3. What will be the impact on the environment if we ban Plastic?
Plastic bans can undoubtedly aid in the conservation of non-renewable resources that, once gone, may not be recovered. Plastic use has two significant negative consequences: it emits carbon dioxide, which contributes to the greenhouse effect, and it increases rubbish collecting in landfills and seas. Bans should be implemented since they are successful in eliminating large amounts of Plastic trash. Plastic can be eliminated; but, it will need advances in engineering and applied science, and the capability to do so currently exists. With each passing year, humanity's reliance on Plastic gets greater.
4. Who prepares the chapter and topic explanation for the Vedantu website?
The topic explanation for Uses of Plastics designed for the Vedantu is created by a group of experts and experienced teachers. The panel of experts have created the explanation after analyzing relevant and recent instructions from the Central Board of School Education (CBSE) and NCERT. The explanations that are provided by Vedantu are not only well-structured but also accurate and concise. They are aptly suited for young students with limited vocabulary. For best results, the students are advised to go through explanations multiple times and practice answers on their own to inculcate the habits of time management and speed. In addition to the topic explanation, the Vedantu website contains many learning tools and study materials such as mock tests, test series and previous year question papers with solutions. Students are recommended to make use of all materials to augment their exam preparation of the students.
5. How can Plastic recycling help the environment?
The reprocessing of Plastic waste into new and valuable goods is known as Plastic recycling. Plastic can cause litter and pollution in the environment. These effects can put human beings and the environment in danger.
Plastic recycling is a two-stage process:
The majority of the sorting is automated, with a hand sort to confirm that all pollutants have been removed.
Plastic can be shredded into flakes or melted processed into pellets after it has been sorted and cleaned before being moulded into new goods.
Plastic recycling can reduce landfill dependency, conserve resources, and protect the environment from Plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, if done appropriately.
6. Both bakelite and polythene are examples of plastics. What is the major difference between them?
Polythene is a thermoplastic polymer i.e it can be recycled again and again. Softening and hardening can be repeated a number of times without causing any change in the nature of the material. While on the other hand, bakelite is a thermosetting polymer i.e it can not be recycled. Once it is moulded and becomes hard on cooling, it can't be softened again or reshaped.
7. Plastics are very useful and versatile materials. Why are there concerns today about their Increasing usage?
Plastics have wide-ranging applications in our daily life but today they have become a serious global environmental and health concern due to their excessive use. Plastics are non-biodegradable materials so they can not be decomposed by the microorganisms in the soil. Inappropriate disposal of Plastics is a serious problem and a hazard. It chokes drains and blocks the pores of the soil, which hinders the absorption of water by the soil. Plastic bags contaminate food because of the poisonous dyes associated with them. Moreover, the burning of Plastics releases poisonous smoke and toxic fumes, which causes air pollution and also cancer. If accidentally consumed by stray animals such as cattle it can choke their digestive system.
