Plastics in the Future
The versatility and adaptability of plastics means that new uses are being found almost every day. Some of the more recent applications of plastics include:
- Polyamides - used in space shuttles and in particle accelerators.
- Sorbothane - heals itself when cut. Used for seals in gas pipes.
- Kevlar - stronger than steel, and is used for bulletproof vests and other protective clothing.
- Expanded Polystyrene used for lightweight road foundations, and as boxing for building construction.
- A new plastic has been developed that can conduct electricity.
- Using plastic instead of glass in fibre optic cables.
- Lexan (a plastic) gives bullet proof protection to vehicles
- Fast and mud free racetracks are made of polymer coated sand particles.
- There is a new thermo-softening plastic that is produced by bacteria.
- New tough, clear biodegradable plastics produced from corn processing waste.
New Research
Some of the directions that research and development in plastics is taking include:
- Combining plastic resin with fibres such as cellulose or wood fibres.
- Extending plastics by partial foaming.
- Continued research into lightweighting ie. using less plastic to do the same job.
- Substitution for other materials in many applications to save weight/cost and improve performance
Some Issues for the Future
1. With the possibility of diminishing crude oil supplies within the next 30 years, there will be efforts to find alternative raw materials. Using plant material to generate the monomers for plastic resin production is likely to be the centre of much research. Ethyl alcohol made by fermenting sugar can be turned into ethene to make polyethylene, PVC and perspex.
Other plant materials are likely to be used to manufacture plastic raw materials.
2. Disposal of Wastes. Innovative ways are being found all the time to recycle or reuse plastics.
- use as a soil conditioner
- use in potting mixes
- reuse in plastic lumber
- reuse as layer boards
- use in road construction
- use as an aerating agent in compost
- use as a fuel in steel furnaces and cement kilns
- use as stabilising layers in landfills
