Their defining characteristic, plasticity, allows them to be molded, extruded, or pressed into a diverse range of solid forms. Plastic, polymeric material that has the capability of being molded or shaped, usually by the application of heat and pressure. Plastic is everywhere in daily life in the united states, from synthetic fabrics to toys to disposable utensils, straws and bags While plastic is cheap for the average consumer, its impacts cost americans $436 billion to $1.1 trillion per year—and that’s likely an underestimate, according to a new report from duke university scholars. Plastic products are generally versatile, durable and lightweight Plastic products are prominent in the construction, transportation, and packaging industries
Plastic coverage from scientific american, featuring news and articles about advances in the field. Plastic pollution is a global problem that affects our natural world and its biodiversity It impacts our environment, health, food security, and economies An estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic enters the ocean each year. In this article, we'll examine the chemistry of plastic, how it's made, how it's used, and how it's disposed of and recycled We'll also look at some new biologically based plastics and their role in the future of plastic.
The word polymer means “of many parts,” and polymers are made of long chains of molecules Plastics are incredibly versatile materials that can be used to make a variety of products They are lightweight yet durable, strong yet malleable, and relatively inexpensive to produce There are seven distinct types of plastic, each with its own characteristics and uses.
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