At present, we all are surrounded by a material that has become an inseparable part of our daily lives. From something as small as a bottle cap to something as big as a plastic straws, plastic is omnipresent. Its versatility and wide range of applications have made it an essential component in countless products across various industries.
But have you ever wonder how plastic is actually made?
In this blog post, we’ll talk about the process how plastic is made, its manufacturing techniques, types, and more.
What is Plastics
Plastic, a remarkable human-made material, is created through the manipulation of organic polymers. These polymers provide the building blocks for plastic, allowing it to be molded and reshaped multiple times without losing its structural property.
Properties of plastic
Chemical Property
- Plastic is composed of long chains of polymers made up of carbon, hydrogen.
- Some plastics can be chemically inert, meaning they don’t react with other chemicals.
- The chemical properties of plastic can vary depending on the type of polymer used in its composition.
Physical Property
- Plastic is a light in weight material, that can be easily transport to anywhere.
- It can be easily molded into different shapes and sizes.
- It is a good insulator, both electrically and thermally.
- Plastic is a waterproof and resistant to moisture.
Types of Plastics
Plastics can be broadly classified into two types – thermoplastics and thermosets.
Thermoplastics
Thermoplastics are those plastics that can be easily molded into any shape by applying heat. They are highly versatile and can be recycled multiple times without compromising their structural integrity. Examples: polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride.
Thermosets
On the other hand, thermosets are plastics that cannot be easily reshaped by heat alone. They require chemical reactions to set and permanently harden. It shows that these plastics are heat resistant that’s why used in kitchen utsensils as a handle. Examples: epoxy resin, bakalite.
Know More – What are Biodegradable Plastic
Plastic Manufacturing Processes
Injection Molding
Injection molding is a widely employed plastic manufacturing process that involves injecting the molten plastic into premade molds that is temperature-controlled to create the desired shape of the product.
This technique is highly used to produce large volumes of plastic items because of its effectiveness and take less time. It enables the production of a diverse range of components, from tiny parts to larger items like vehicle bumpers and bins.
Unlike the extrusion process, where plastic is pushed through a die, injection molding forces molten plastic into a mold, resulting in its final shape.
Plastic Extrusion
The plastic extrusion manufacturing process involves the use of a screw, also known as a die, which pushes the raw plastic material into a molten state.
This molten plastic is then forced through a die, which is a specially designed opening, to give it the desired shape. As the plastic passes through the die, it undergoes cooling and solidification, ensuring that it maintains its desired form.
Blow Molding
Blow molding is a manufacturing technique specifically designed for the production of hollow plastic products, most commonly used for bottles. The process involves the use of air pressure to force the molten plastic material into a desired shape within a mold.
The mold is usually in two parts, with the hollow cavity defining the shape of the final product. Once the molten plastic is injected into the mold, air is blown into it, causing the plastic to expand and take on the shape of the cavity.
This method allows for the creation of consistent and seamless hollow plastic products, making blow molding a popular choice in various industries, including packaging and beverage sectors.
Read More – Eco-friendly Water Bottles For Sustainable Living
Rotational Molding
Like blow molding, rotational molding is another method used to create hollow plastic products. In this process, the raw plastic polymer is placed into a mold, which is then heated in a furnace. As the mold rotates, the polymer gradually melts and coats the interior surface of the mold.
This rotational motion ensures that the plastic is evenly distributed and adheres to the mold, forming the desired shape. To solidify the final product, water is sprayed onto the mold, cooling it down rapidly. This cooling process allows the plastic to solidify, resulting in a strong and durable hollow plastic product.
Conclusion
The above article provide detailed guide about how plastic made, what is plastic, types and their unique properties. Plastic has various manufacturing techniques such as injection molding, blow molding, and rotational molding, which helps to build complex shapes and structures.
As plastic become important in our daily lives, but we should not forget the harmful effects of plastic and how much difficult it is to despose them. So we should focus on alternate option to develop more sustainable and eco-friendly environmnet
