Plastics: Versatility at its Finest

When we think of plastic, we might think of a plastic cup, chair, or bag. However, plastics are more than just the material used in a simple bag: they are one of the most versatile materials on Earth.

Since plastics are polymers that can be easily shaped when hot, and molded when cold, it is natural that they can take on many different shapes. However, plastics can be differentiated from each other by much more than shape. Some plastics are stiff, while others might be more malleable. Some plastics are dense, while others are lightweight. The wide array of properties that various plastics can have makes plastics useful in many scenarios. Plastic, in the form of Nylon, can be used in a parachute to help save a skydiver or paratrooper's life, while polystyrene can be used in a styrofoam box for packaging and insulation. Not only do the different properties of plastics make them versatile, but also the ways they can be manufactured. 

Short video about injection molding from one of my favorite Youtube channels

In early August, I attended the Materials Science and Engineering Summer Institute with Drexel University. During the program, we learned about different manufacturing processes, such as Injection Molding or Extrusion, and how they help make plastics easy to produce and inexpensive. When compared to the multi-step processes required to manufacture other materials such as metal alloys or glasses, injection molding is relatively simple. In its simplest terms, Injection Molding entails heating up a plastic, pouring it into a mold, and letting it cool. The process of Injection Molding, as well as the inexpensive raw material used, allow for plastics to be mass-produced at rapid rates, leading to them being everywhere.

Many plastics come from one of the byproducts of oil: naphtha. Due to the sheer amount of oil production, naphtha is extremely plentiful, further driving down the price of plastics, once again, making plastics one of the most common materials in the world.

While plastics have many positive traits, they aren’t perfect. There is an increasing concern for environmental damage caused by plastics. Many plastics can take up to 1000 years to degrade, causing long-term environmental damage. It is important to maintain a focus on biodegradable plastics, to utilize the same properties that make plastics so useful, while also not harming the environment.

Biodegradable plastic water bottle

While many view plastics in a negative light, when biodegradable, they are truly one of the most versatile materials and the positive outweighs any negatives.