Plastic definition
Plastic is defined as any organic,
synthetic or semi-synthetic polymer that is permanently composed of carbon and
hydrogen, and it may contain other elements other than them, and the term
plastic refers to the property of plasticity and the ability to deform without
breaking,[1]
Plastic is a material made of
polymers, and it is one of the types of organic and semi-organic materials, and
it has several types, such as: nylon, polytene, terylene, and polystyrene, and
plastic was made for the first time in 1907 AD, by the scientist Leo Baekeland,
and plastic is included in many The areas of our life, including the common
ones such as plastic cans, in which mineral water and juices are kept,
including those that are used in water extensions, sewage networks, and there
are some safe and unsafe types of plastic, and in this article we will explain
the signs of plastic quality.
Plastic products
There are many different types of
plastic, but plastic products can be divided into two main groups, which are as
follows: [2]
1. Thermoplastics polymers: (Thermoplastics); Thermoplastic polymers are soft when heated, and
then harden when cooled.
2. Thermoplastic solid polymers: (Thermosets); Thermoplastic rigid polymers have the advantage that
they never soften once formed.
Plastic uses
There are many uses and benefits
of plastic; It is used in many fields, the most important of which are as
follows: [3]
1. Construction: Plastic materials can be used to design long-term, sustainable and
durable building in the field of construction and infrastructure; as bridges.
2. Automotive design: Plastics have contributed to many innovations in automotive design,
particularly in terms of safety, performance, and fuel efficiency.
3. Electronics Manufacturing: The use of durable, lightweight and affordable plastics has revolutionized
the world of electronic devices, including computers, televisions, mobiles,
microwaves, and more.
4. Goods packaging: Packaging goods with plastic products helped protect and preserve
them, and this also contributes to reducing weight during transportation, which
leads to reduced fuel use, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
5. Sports Safety: Plastics are used in the manufacture of sports safety equipment in
order to protect and preserve the head, feet and bones from impact; such as
plastic helmets, mouth guards, and goggles; This is because plastics are
durable and light in weight.
Types of plastic
1. Polyethylene Terephthalate
Polyethylene terephthalate,
commonly known as polyester, is the most widely produced plastic in the world.
It is widely used in packaging; Like plastic water bottles, it is recyclable.[4]
2. Polyethylene
Polyethylene is classified into
two main types that differ according to their use and components, including: [4]
· Low Density Polyethylene: (LDPE), which is characterized by high ductility and low tensile
strength, and is used in the manufacture of plastic bags.
· High Density Polyethylene: (HDPE), which is more rigid, is used in the manufacture of garbage
bins, and for various construction applications.
3. Polyvinyl chloride
Polyvinyl Chloride is used in the
manufacture of pipes and electrical wire insulation, and despite its fragility,
it is distinguished by its strength.[4]
4. Polypropylene
Polypropylene is characterized by
that it does not react with liquids, can be easily repaired, has good
electrical resistance, is semi-transparent, has a low-friction surface, and is
used in product packaging, and as parts for the automotive industry and other
products.[4 [
5. Polystyrene
Polystyrene is used in the
manufacture of lids for soft drinks, or medical devices such as test tubes or
petri dishes.
6. Acrylic
Acrylic is transparent,
scratch-resistant, and if broken, it is less harmful than others on human skin.[4]
7. Nylon
Nylon is used in the manufacture
of clothing and car tires, and is characterized by its high strength and heat
resistance.[4]
8. Acetal
Acetal is known for its high
resistance to: heat, abrasion, water, and chemical compounds, and has a low
coefficient of friction, which makes it useful for applications that use gears.[4]
9. Teflon
Teflon is stable, heat-resistant,
resistant to many chemicals, and strong, and is used in cookware, waterproof
casings, and pipes.[4]
Plastic Quality Marks
Number 1
It is known by the symbol PET or
PETE and indicates the safety of the plastic used because it contains
polyethylene, and can be used only once, and this substance is used to preserve
food or consumer products, such as: juice, water, and it has no side effects on
human health, In this case, the plastic is thin and flexible at the same time.
Number 2
It is known by the symbol HDPE,
and the plastic here is more similar to polyethylene as it is safe to use, and
does not pose a threat to human life and health, but is more solid, strong and
flexible than the first type, and a good example of this type is the cans of
household detergents and shampoos.
Number 3
It is known by the symbol V, and
this type represents polyvinyl chloride, and it is among the most dangerous
types of plastic to health; Because it contains many toxic components, this
type is usually used in electrical pipes and sewage network pipes.
Number 4
It is known as LDPE (low density
polyethylene), and it is considered one of the safe types, and is used in the
manufacture of water pipes.
Number 5
Known with the symbol PP, it is
one of the safest types of plastic, and its use is in the field of food
preservation.
Number 6
It is known by the symbol PS and
represents polystyrene, and it is characterized by having a low toxicity
effect, and this type is used in the manufacture of fast food boxes, which are
prepared in restaurants, and transferred to customers outside or inside the
restaurant, and it is worth noting that developed countries no longer use this
type of plastic for the stated purpose.
Number 7
It is known by the symbol Other or
O, and this number indicates that this type of plastic does not contain the
materials in the previous mentioned types, and this type is not suitable for
use in foods or foodstuffs, unless there is an indication to that.
General caveats
1. Be careful not to use the previous types of plastic,
mentioned from number one to number five, many times for the purpose of
preserving foods, lest part of the materials made of them disintegrate, and mix
with foods, especially if the food is hot.
2. The possibility of reusing safe plastic types in other
things, such as: making decorative boxes, or planting small rose seedlings.
Why is plastic harmful to the planet?
Plastic is harmful to the planet
due to a variety of reasons and things. They are as follows: [5]
Plastic is an unsustainable
material: Many types of plastic materials are not
recyclable, and plastic is also made from unsustainable materials, including
oil, natural gas, and coal, and the plastic manufacturing process itself is
harmful to the environment.
Slow decomposition of plastic: plastic materials need a long time to decompose and filter toxic
substances from them, as it takes 1,000 years or more to decompose in
landfills, and plastic when decomposing does not completely disappear; It
breaks down into fine particles called microplastics, and it is noteworthy that
some plastics are biodegradable, as they can be converted into fertilizer, but
the production process is expensive.
Plastic is dangerous to wildlife: thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, and other marine mammals die every
year; As a result of eating plastic materials dumped in those water bodies, or
that these organisms attached to those products, many marine creatures are
threatened with extinction, for example, the monk seals in Hawaii, and the
loggerhead sea turtles in the Pacific Ocean.[6]
References
1. Anne Marie Helmenstine (10-4-2020), "Plastic
Definition and Examples in Chemistry"، www.thoughtco.com, Retrieved
5-4-2021. Edited.
2. Creative Mechanisms Staff (21-7-2016), "The
Eleven Most Important Types of Plastic"، www.creativemechanisms.com,
Retrieved 7-1-2019. Edited.
3. CRAIG FREUDENRICH, PH.D, "How Plastics Work"، www.science.howstuffworks.com,
Retrieved 7-1-2019. Edited.
4. Ferdinand Rodriguez (26-12-2018), "Plastic"، www.britannica.com,
Retrieved 7-1-2019. Edited.
5. Lucy (20-9-2019), "Why
is plastic bad for the planet?"، www.forgerecycling.co.uk,
Retrieved 6-4-2021. Edited.
6. "OCEAN
PLASTICS POLLUTION", www.biologicaldiversity.org, Retrieved 25-4-2021.
Edited.
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