The Amazing World Of Plastics

Posted by sungbocoltds on November 28th, 2013

Plastic, since its invention has become immensely popular due to its high durability, low cost and strength. Plastics have become an indispensible part of our lives; they are everywhere, and it’s hard to ignore them. So, if you are fascinated by the amazing world of plastics then here’s an informative article on plastics, brought to you by Sungbo, the leading calcium carbonate filler masterbatch manufacturer in Korea.

What are plastics?

A plastic is any material that can be shaped or molded into any form, some are naturally occurring, but most are man-made. Plastics are basically large molecules called polymers, which are composed of repeating units of shorter carbon-containing compounds called monomers. Chemists combine various types of monomers in many different arrangements to make an almost infinite variety of plastics with different chemical properties. Most plastic is chemically inert and will not react chemically with other substances.

How are plastics manufactured?

Most plastics are made from crude oil that is pumped from underground. As mentioned earlier, plastics are manufactured by combining various monomer units. When these small units of plastic are combined in different orders, they make many kinds of plastic. To enhance the properties of plastics, fillers are used. Fillers also reduce the cost of the compound as they are generally cheaper than the base polymer. Fillers that are most commonly used include calcium carbonate filler masterbatches, talc and barium sulphate.

Types of plastics

Plastics are mainly of two types:

Thermoset plastics-This type of plastic cannot return to its original form - it cannot be melted down into its original form. Epoxy resins and polyurethanes are some examples of this type of thermosetting plastic. It is commonly used in tires, auto parts, and composites.

Thermoplastics- The second category is thermoplastics. Here, you have more flexibility and versatility. Because it will return to its original form when heated, these plastics are commonly used in various applications. They can be made into films, fibers, and other forms.

Some other types of plastics

Polyethylene terephthalate: This plastic is ideal for food storage and water bottles. It is commonly used for things like storage bags, too.

Polyvinyl Chloride: It is brittle but stabilizers are added to it. This makes it a softer plastic that's easy to mold into various shapes. Polystyrene: It is lightweight and works as insulator. It is heavily used in furniture, cabinetry, glasses and other impact-resistant surfaces. It is also commonly added with a blowing agent to create foam insulation.

Polypropylene: Commonly called just PP, this plastic has various forms. However, it has uses in many applications including tubes, car trims, and bags.

Polyethylene: Also known as HDPE or LDPE, it is one of the most common forms of plastics. It is mainly used in many disposable products, including gloves and garbage bags.It is also used in other film applications such as wraps, as well as in bottles.

Plastics are highly durable and deliver great performance. Their exceptional properties may also be attributed to the filler masterbatches that are used in their manufacturing. Sungbo Co. Ltd, the leading manufacturer and supplier of high quality filler masterbatch offers high quality Calcium Carbonate (white) masterbatch for the plastic industries around the world.

To know more, please visit- http://sbcalpet.com/en/