Plastic is a product that is used for various purposes. Plastic may be hard or soft, transparent or opaque. Currently, there are more than 10,000 different types of plastic. The primary raw materials for the production of plastic are oil and gas. Some types of plastics are recyclable and some are not. The plastics industry is very important due to its strong connection with the oil industry.

The development of the petrochemical industry is probably the biggest unique factor in the growth of plastic, for this reason, the petrochemical industry is visibly visible in our daily life through the production of plastics. Historically, the plastic industry has experienced very rapid growth. Although synthetic plastics have widely penetrated the market since the end of the 19th century, but in fact, this industry grew with the end of World War II and the entry of relatively cheap petrochemical raw materials into the market, and the current era can be called the era of plastics.

Classification of plastics based on the main basis:

  • Natural
  • Semi-synthetic
  • Synthetic or industrial plastics

Application of plastics:

Wide uses of plastics in construction such as water and sewage pipes, anti-moisture layers, flooring, insulation, wall decoration, etc.

  • Use of plastics in packaging such as bottles
  • The automotive industry, which is currently one of the major consumers of plastics, which is evidenced by the increase in the number of plastic parts in cars.
  • Household and office furniture and appliances
  • Water and air transportation such as boats and airplanes
  • Industrial equipment such as industrial pipes, pumps, valves, control room glass
  • Photography industries
  • Medical equipment such as injection syringe and….
  • Use of plastic film for printing paper
  • Shoe manufacturing industries

The main properties of plastics:

  • Being light
  • Heat insulation
  • Electrical insulation
  • Being transparent
  • Dyeability
  • Resistant to weather conditions
  • Resistant to chemical solvents
  • Being hygienic in terms of the Ministry of Health
  • Ease of recognition
  • Cheapness

Adaptability to different conditions

Classification of plastics:

  • Thermosets
  • Thermoplastics

A thermoset can become completely rigid through the process of creating intermolecular bonds. Also, a thermoset can have a three-functional raw material such as phenol or a two-functional material such as formaldehyde.

Thermoplastics are different from thermosets and they can be re-melted after consumption without changing.