Plastic is a product that is used for a variety of purposes. Plastic can be hard or soft, transparent or opaque. There are currently over 10,000 different types of plastic. The raw materials for the production of plastic are oil and gas. Some types of plastic are recyclable and others are not. The plastics industry is of great importance due to its strong connection with the oil industry.

The development of the petrochemical industry is probably the single largest factor in the growth of plastics, for this reason, the petrochemical industry is clearly visible in our daily lives through the production of plastics. Historically, the plastics industry has experienced very rapid growth. Although synthetic plastics have been widely used in the market since the late 19th century, it was with the end of World War II and the entry of relatively cheap petrochemical raw materials into the market that the industry really took off, and the current era can be called the Plastic Age.

Classification of plastics based on the main basis:

Natural

Semi-synthetic

Synthetic or industrial plastics

Plastic applications:

Wide use of plastics in construction such as water and sewage pipes, moisture-proof 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, as evidenced by the increase in the number of plastic parts in cars.

Furniture and household and office appliances

Water and air transportation such as boats and airplanes

Industrial equipment such as industrial pipes, pumps, valves, control room glass

Photographic industries

Medical equipment such as injection syringes, etc.

Using plastic film for paper printing
Shoe manufacturing industries
Main properties of plastic:

Lightweight
Thermal insulation
Electrical insulation
Transparency
Colorability
Resistant to weather conditions
Resistant to chemical solvents
Health compliance according to the Ministry of Health
Ease of diagnosis
Cheapness
Compatibility with different conditions

Classification of plastics:

Thermoset
Thermoplastics
A thermoset can be completely solidified through the process of creating intermolecular bonds. A thermoset can also have a three-function raw material such as phenol or a two-function material such as formaldehyde.

Thermoplastics are different from thermosets and can be melted again after use without change.