Plastics: Types, Properties & Examples

Ans. Plastic refers to the synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that are manufactured with the help of polymers. The word "plastic" comes from the Greek word "plastikos," which means "fit for moulding." 

• It refer to the material's malleability, or plasticity, throughout the manufacturing process, which allows it to be cast, pressed, or extruded into a wide range of shapes, including films, fibres, plates, tubes, bottles, boxes, and much more.

Ans. (A) Natural organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and, of course, crude oil are used to make plastics.

(B) Bioplastics are biodegradable materials derived from renewable resources that can be used to solve the problem of plastic trash suffocating the earth and polluting the ecosystem.

Ans. There are 6 most common types of plastic and they are:

• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)
• High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl)
• Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam)

Ans. A biodegradable material or substance is one that may be easily decomposed by bacteria or other natural organisms and does not pollute the environment. Non-biodegradable wastes are garbage that cannot be destroyed or degraded by biological processes.

Ans. Remelting and reforming used plastic into new things, often known as mechanical recycling, is one way to recycle plastic.

Ans. It contributes to waste and pollution problems, has an influence on our health, and puts our oceans and wildlife at risk. Marine debris affects about 270 marine species [6] by ingestion, entanglement, and chemical contamination.

Ans. The difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastics are as follows:

Ans. Plastic is used in nearly every industry, including packaging, construction, textiles, consumer goods, transportation, electrical and electronic equipment, and industrial machinery.

• A number of medical equipment, doctor's gloves, syringes, stitching threads, and tablet packagings are made of plastics.
• Silicone is used in plastic surgery. 
• Some plastics conduct heat, but do not melt that is why they are used as plastic cookware in microwave ovens. 

• Plastics are used in all kinds of vehicles, aircrafts and spacecrafts because of their lower weight property. The list goes endless. 

Ans. The differences between Thermoplastics and Thermosetting Plastics are as follows:

Ans: Plastics are versatile materials available in the market. They can be moulded into any form, they can be made into any utility product and at different prices.

• The positive qualities of plastics are lightweight, lower price, good strength and easy handling.
• Plastics can be used in houses, vehicles and industries.
• They can be used as containers that can store water, food items, milk products, jams, jellies, pickles and dry fish.
• They are extensively used as agricultural plastics.
• Even our cell phones, tabs and laptops and their peripherals are made of plastic.
• On farms they can be used as grow bags, mulches, craters and irrigation systems.

Ans. The characteristics of plastics are as follows:

• Plastic are considered strong and ductile material.
• They are poor conductor of heat and electricity.
• The compound can be easily molded into different shapes and sizes.
• Plastic is a type of material that can resists corrosion and quite resistant to many chemicals.

Ans: The different ways of recycling the plastics are as follows:

• Single-use plastic items should be avoided.
• They litter more than anything else.
• Reuse the plastic material as many times as possible.

Collect non-biodegradable plastic waste separately and dispose of it separately. So that recycling of thermoplastics can be made possible. 

• There are multiple ways to repurpose plastic by putting your creativity into action. 
• Refuse single-use plastics such as plastic straws, cutlery plates and cups.
• Even if required , use either bio-polymers or biodegradable polymers wherever they are available.

Ans: Plastics that decompose or break down in response to exposure to sunshine, UV radiation, bacteria, certain enzymes, moisture, water, or wind abrasion are known as biodegradable plastics. In certain situations, pests, rodents, or insect infestations may also contribute to environmental degradation or biodegradation processes. Plastics made of starch, cellulose, or soy are a few examples.

Ans: The advantages of plastics are as follows:

• Plastics has cheap production costs.
• It is easily shaped into a variety of shapes.
• The compound doesn't corrode easily.
• It also has the ability to be opaque, transparent, and translucent.
• Plastics is not a good heat or electrical conductor.
• It can be utilized to create pipes, roads, utensils, wires, and more.
• The compound is also employed in the building process.

Ans: The disadvantages of plastics are as follows:

• A few forms of plastic are non-biodegradable, and the natural breakdown of plastic can take 400–1000 years.
• Plastic debris clogs lakes, seas, oceans, and other waterways.
• One out of every three marine mammal species has been discovered entangled in marine debris.
• When animals consume plastic, many of them perish.
• More than ninety percent of seabirds have bits of plastic in their guts.
• Packaging frequently uses plastic.
• Consuming food from plastic containers has been linked to cancer.
• Pollution of the air, water, and land is caused by the poisonous gases and residues released during the production and recycling of plastic.

Ans: Plastics is made from different types of natural materials like cellulose, natural gas, coal, crude oil and salt. The compound undergoes polymerisation or polycondensation process. It is derived from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt and, of course, crude oil.

Ans: Plastic waste also known as plastic pollution is accumulation of plastic wastes such as plastic bottles and polythene where pollutants are classified micro, meso and macro debris. The plastic pollution affects the wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans.

Ans: Leo Baekeland is father of plastics as he considered bakelite is more cheaper and versatile to produce other substances, and had different diverse uses.

Ans: Humans have used and discarded billions of tons of plastic material thus far. Due to plastic pollution, most bodies of water, including lakes, rivers, seas, and oceans, are severely contaminated. Plastic-based packing material is a major hazard to wild and stray animals. They become ill and eventually die as a result of choking their digestive and respiratory systems on fragments of polythene coverings.

Ans: Plastic is a toxic compound that can adversely affect animals. It may sometimes kill animals or make them prone to different diseases. Plastics can also trap or injure animals. It will disturb animals' habitats, making it difficult for wildlife to live and breed naturally, which can lead to the depletion of their populations.

Ans: Different ways to reduce plastic pollution are as follows:

• Avoid the use of single-use plastics.
• Stop buying water sold in plastic bottles.
• Avoid the usage of microbeads.
• Try to cook at home, thus avoiding takeout containers or doggy bags.
• Try to implement a ban or tax on plastics.
• Follow the cycle of recycling.

Ans: PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is another name for a wrinkle-resistant plastic. Generally speaking, PET is an aliphatic polyester. It can be recycled and used again.

• PET is widely utilized in the textile and packaging industries due to its special ability to block oxygen from passing through it.
• It prevents carbon dioxide from escaping the bottle, it is often employed in the packaging of carbonated drinks.
• When polyethylene terephthalate is in its stable state, it is extremely light and semi-crystalline.
• PET's chemical formula is (C₁₀H₈O₄).

Ans: Polystyrene is a polymer derived from the monomer styrene. Petroleum is used to create the liquid hydrocarbon known as styrene. This kind of plastic is bad for the environment and for people.

• Three monomers—acrylonitrile, styrene, and butadiene—combine to form polystyrene.
• There is a variation in density from 1.06 to 1.08 grams.
• Because polystyrene is transparent and durable, the food service industry uses it.
• It is used to make foamed cups, plates, bowls, and other containers as well as disposable eating utensils.