| Themes > Science > Chemistry > Organic Chemistry > A Concise History of Plastics |
The word Plastic comes from the Greek "plastikos" meaning pliant or pliable. It described any substance capable of being shaped, deformed or moulded. In modern usage, the word Plastics generally defines that group of natural or synthetic materials which are capable of being formed or "moulded" into products using heat and/or pressure. It also refers to materials which "set" or polymerize by chemical reaction or by the evaporation of a solvent. In general terms, the singular PLASTIC may be used to define a material or a product and the plural PLASTICS used to define the polymer production and coverting industry, and their processing technologies. Distinctions are made between Thermoplastic and Thermosetting plastic materials relating to their forming or moulding properties. |
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