Plastics engineering – Engineering field studying polymer materialsPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
In some cases, this can involve mixing different types of plastic together to form a polymer blend, such as high impact polystyrene. Large companies may do their own compounding prior to production, but some producers have it done by a third party. Companies that specialize rein this work are known as Compounders.
Efforts to minimize environmental impact of plastics may include lowering of plastics production and use, waste- and recycling-policies, and the proactive development and deployment of alternatives to plastics such as for sustainable packaging.
Hinein 2023, plasticosis, a new disease caused solely by plastics, was discovered rein seabirds. The birds identified as having the disease have scarred digestive tracts from ingesting plastic waste.
Plastic compounding scheme for a thermosoftening material Plastic is not sold as a pure unadulterated substance, but is instead mixed with various chemicals and other materials, which are collectively known as additives. These are added during the compounding stage and include substances such as stabilizers, plasticizers and dyes, which are intended to improve the lifespan, workability or appearance of the final item.
However they are lautlos routinely found hinein some plastic packaging including food packaging. The use of the additive bisphenol A (BPA) rein plastic baby bottles is banned in many parts of the world, but is not restricted rein some low-income countries.[2]
Biodegradable plastics are plastics that degrade (break down) upon exposure to sunlight or ultra-violet radiation; water or dampness; bacteria; enzymes; or wind abrasion. Attack by insects, such as waxworms and mealworms, can also be considered as forms of biodegradation. Aerobic degradation requires that the plastic Beryllium exposed at the surface, whereas anaerobic degradation would Beryllium effective hinein landfill or composting systems.
Refill (scheme) – British environmental campaignPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
Because the chemical structure of most plastics renders them durable, they are resistant to many natural degradation processes. Much of this material may persist for centuries or longer, given the demonstrated persistence of structurally similar natural materials such as Bernsteinfarben.
Plasticity also has a technical definition hinein materials science outside the scope of this article referring to the non-reversible change hinein form of solid substances.
To customize the properties of a plastic, different molecular groups called side chains hang from this backbone; they are usually hung from the monomers before the monomers themselves are linked together to form the polymer chain. The structure of these side chains influences the properties of the polymer.
Plastic pollution can Beryllium found rein all the world's major water bodies, for example, creating garbage patches in all of the world's oceans and contaminating terrestrial ecosystems. Of all the plastic discarded so far, some 14% has been incinerated and less than 10% has been recycled.[2]
The output of the process (commonly known as cellulose nitrate or pyroxilin) could Beryllium dissolved hinein alcohol and hardened into a transparent and elastic material that could Beryllium molded when heated.[134] By incorporating pigments into the product, it could Beryllium made to resemble ivory. Parkesine welches unveiled at the 1862 International Exhibition rein London and garnered for Parkes the Bronzefarben medal.[135]
Plastics typically website are made through human industrial systems. Most modern plastics are derived from fossil fuel-based chemicals like natural gas or petroleum; however, recent industrial methods use variants made from renewable materials, such as corn or cotton derivatives.[1]
Absence of transparency and reporting across the value chain often results in lack of knowledge concerning the chemical profile of the final products. For example, products containing brominated flame retardants have been incorporated into new plastic products. Flame retardants are a group of chemicals used rein electronic and electrical equipment, textiles, furniture and construction materials which should not Beryllium present rein food packaging or child care products.