Group Members and the Materials
Group Members Materials
1.Ryan Teo
2.Shao Wei
3.Yong Ming
4.Daren Tung
1.Plastics
2.Glass
History of Plastics Humankind has been using natural plastics for
thousands of years.
It really all started in 1862 when Alexander Parkes
launched his invention “Parkesine” at the Great International Exhibition in London, England.
Early plastics based on natural products shared
numerous drawbacks. After World War II (1939-1945), new polymer discoveries accelerated.
Common Properties of Plastics light-weight, floats on water ( most but not all ) , waterproof, flexible, strong, durable, Transparent / translucent / opaque, poor conductor of heat, Does not conduct electricity, Not easily broken, not easily biodegradable (a material that can’t be destroyed by
natural processes) Non-magnetic
Uses of Plastics in the past• Bakelite – Plug covers, Handles of electrical
appliances and cooking utensils• Polythene – Shopping plastic bags, pails• PVC – Raincoats, umbrellas, water pipes• Nylon – Carpets, fishing nets• Polyethyelene (1950s) – Hula Hoop• Polypropylene (1953) – battery cases, tubes, • Teflon (1938) – Non stick cooking utensils• General – Disposable utensils ( Forks and Spoons ),
Toys
Uses of Plastics in the present• Automobile Industry
– Cars,– Buses,– Heavy machinary
• Aerospace Industry– Aeroplanes, – Helicopters, – Missiles, Rockets
• Health Industry– Medical instruments, Dental fillings, – Optical lenses, – Biocompatible joints ( To replace parts of the body during
surgery )
• Polystyrene – Boxes, Food containers, Styrofoam
History of Glass
Glass is thought to have been first created around 3000 BC, during the bronze age.
Egyptian glass beads date back to about 2500 BC. In the 1600s, a process whereby lead was added to
the glass mixture was patented. Venice was the world's major glass-making centre, as
it had been for 400 years since 1400AD. During the nineteenth century, basic methods of glass
production had not changed much.
Common Properties of Glass
Light Can be transparent ( eg: Clear Glass ) Can be translucent ( eg: Tempered Glass ) Can be colourful ( eg: Frosted Glass ) Can be hard It is fragile ( breaks easily )
It does not conduct electricity.
Uses of Glass in the past
• Windows,• Spectacle lenses,• Television Screen,• Kitchenware,• Bottles,• Fish Tanks,• Shower doors,• Table tops,• Ornaments,• Crystals
Uses of Glass in the present
• Optical Glass – microscopes, – telescopes, – cameras
• Glass Ceramics – space shuttle tiles, – rocket nosecones
• Glass Fibers• Glass bricks – hollow construction blocks
Sources
• http://www.britglass.org.uk/Files/SetGlassFactsheets.pdf• http://science.howstuffworks.com/plastic4.htm• http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761553604/Plastic
s.html#s29• http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761554489_9/
Glass.html