Plastic & Rubber

Plastic and rubber are any of two of the versatile materials that play very important roles in our lives. Despite often being grouped together because they somewhat share certain similarities, they differ largely in properties and uses.

What is Plastic?

Plastic is an artificial material whose components are very long chains of polymers. During heating, it can attain many shapes and forms, which is the main reason behind its huge usability. Plastics find their applications in everything ranging from household items such as containers and toys to industrial components and medical devices.

Types of Plastic:

Thermoplastics: These plastics become soft and pliable upon heating, hardening whenever it cools down. They can be reshaped many times without any change in their chemical properties. Examples include polyethylene used in plastic bags, polypropylene used in containers, and polyvinyl chloride or PVC used in pipes.

Thermosetting Plastics: These plastics cannot be reshaped; they fix to permanent shapes once they are heated and molded. It is for this characteristic feature that they have gained their reputation for toughness, resisting higher temperatures. Examples include epoxy resin, used in adhesives, and phenolic resin, used in electrical components.

Properties of Plastic:

Lightweight: Most plastics are lighter compared to metals or glass; hence, they are convenient and easy to handle and transport.

Durable: As mentioned, many plastics can withstand water, chemicals, and physical impact; that’s why it is used in so many diverse ways.

Flexible: Because plastics can be manufactured to be rigid or flexible, depending on an intended application, it can easily allow for different requirements.

What is Rubber?

Rubber is either natural or synthetic and has been differentiated by its elastic and flexible nature. Rubber is derived naturally from latex, which is a milky liquid extracted from rubber trees, or it could also be synthesized through chemical processes. The different applications for rubber, such as tires, seals, and gaskets, are determined by the specific nature of rubber.

Types of Rubber:

Natural Rubber: This type of rubber is obtained from the latex of rubber trees. It has very good elasticity and resilience. Natural rubber finds its application in tires, footwear, and several industrial products.

Synthetic Rubber: Synthetic rubber is a product obtained by chemical processes. For desired properties, it can be engineered over a specific range. Examples include SBR, which is used in tires; neoprene, which is used in wetsuits and gaskets.

Properties of Rubber:

Elasticity: Rubber can be extended and then returns to its original size, which makes it suitable for those applications which require flexibility and absorption of jolts. Durability: Rubber does not wear and tear easily; therefore, it is considered suitable for high friction applications such as tires. Water Resistance: Generally, rubber is impervious to water; hence, it is useful in seals and waterproof products.

Applications of Plastic and Rubber:

Plastic:

Packaging: Plastic finds extensive application in packaging materials on account of its light weight and prophylactic nature.

Consumer Goods: Plastic is very much in demand in the manufacture of toys, kitchen utensils, and furniture because of the strength of the material and also for reasonably acceptable prices. Construction: It is also utilized in the construction of pipes, insulation, and roofing because it will not deteriorate due to weathering. Rubber:

Automotive: It is in high demand in tires, seals, and suspension systems because it is durable and can absorb even the harshest of shocks.

Industrial: Machinery and equipment alike make use of varied components made from rubber because of its resilience to vibration and impact.

Medical: A large amount of rubber is utilized for the production of medical devices, gloves, and seals due to its flexibility and good sealing performance. Recycling and the Environment:

Plastic and rubber are, in general, both detrimental to the environment. Plastic is especially catastrophic since plastics take several hundreds of years to decompose. Many of these plastics are recyclable, but they are not all collected or treated satisfactorily. Similarly, rubber can be problematic to process into waste, with tires particularly problematic, although there is technology at work in this regard that is constantly improving.

Conclusion

Plastic and rubber have become an integral part of modern life, with their wide applications to unique properties. Although they serve many purposes, it is important that their environmental impact be addressed through recycling and other sustainable practices. Understanding the nature of these materials will enlighten us on their role in our world and their responsible management.