Polymeric materials (PLASTICS)
Artificial materials derived from organic chemistry.
They consist of long-chain molecules, called monomers or groupers, chemically linked by covalent and ionic bonds.
Industries in which plastics are involved:
In the automotive industry.
In the transport sector.
In the telecommunications sector.
In the food sector.
In the fisheries sector.
In the agricultural sector.
In the domestic sector.
In the construction sector.
In photography.
In the packaging sector, etc.
Advantages and disadvantages of plastics over metals
Advantages:
Low weight
Quick and easy processing
High corrosion and chemical resistance
Good electrical properties
Excellent surface characteristics
High vibration absorption
Cost-effective production
Disadvantages:
Low mechanical strength
Low heat resistance
Low resistance to degradation
Not repairable
High raw material cost
Plastics raw materials
These are natural substances such as: petroleum, natural gas, coal, cellulose, rubber tree, etc. The molecules of these substances generally contain carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) and often contain nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), sulphur (S), etc.
Source: www.utp.edu.co