|
Plastics from Bakelite to Nanotechnology
I am old enough to remember the pioneering
days of plastics. Bakelite sticks in my mind. A solid, fragile plastic
always brown and molded into some art-deco form to encase the valves and
wires of a post war radio set.
"IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE that one can
combine two unlikely substances like carbolic acid and formaldehyde to
produce a beautiful and versatile substance such as phenolic resin or
"Bakelite," a revolutionary, non-flammable, early plastic. "The material
of a thousand uses," as it was called, made a splash in the 1920s, '30s
and '40s.
Around the turn of the century, the
Belgian born scientist Dr. Leo Baekeland, working as an independent
chemist, came upon the compound quite by accident. Anyone familiar with
the newspaper printing business is aware of the Velox used as a proof;
that was his first discovery. Velox was invented in 1899 and is still in
use today. After selling the rights to this product to Eastman Kodak for
three quarters of a million dollars, he started developing a less
flammable bowling alley floor shellac; bowling was becoming the latest
rage in New York City. Dr. Baekeland soon realized that a resin that was
both insoluable and infusible could have a much wider appeal when used
as a molding compound. He obtained a patent and started the Bakelite
Corporation around 1910"
Now they are making Bakelite jewelry.
What next?
http://www.deco-echoes.com/bakelite.html
Nylon, a fragile and precious commodity
that fueled my Mom's business, she had a corner shop selling no end of
stuff. Clothes, toys and of course Nylons. Nylon stockings in different
lengths, different colours and derniers. I rued the day they introduced
a new product. A new product made of some nylon fabric - tights. Wrist
breakers we used to call them - but that's another story.
Pop - soda for our American friends came
in glass bottles. Recycling was unheard of. Well the word recycling was
not used. Cycling was important for my business though. I would cycle
around my neighbourhood collecting used pop bottles and return them to
the shop of origin. I got two or three pennies for each bottle. As a kid
I was saddened the day they introduced plastic bottles. I was out of
business at the tender age of nine.
I was reminded of this a few days ago
when an American businessman contacted me. He was looking for plastic
factories, any plastic companies. He explained that the factories had
waste plastic material, scrap plastic, that he wanted to buy by the
container load and ship out to be re-used in whatever venture he had in
mind.
A chance to get even after my childhood
business went bust. Glass recycling to plastic recycling and I don't
have to cycle round the neighbourhood any more.
I am told that War was the prime
motivator for the development of plastics. Stronger, lighter more
durable materials to outfit our fighting forces. Never could imagine our
troops dressed in Nylon stockings. However I am told that the best
commandos and special forces wear Nylon tights to the chill out of the
privates.
So is it the military that is still the
prime mover or the consumer who demand better, more flexible and more
durable plastic products. In my twilight years a new development is
emerging - Nanotechnology. I am just learning about this so forgive me
if I have the wrong idea. Micro machines made from plastic woven into
fabrics that encase your body. Thinking, self replicating plastic micro
robots. No more itching a flea in your pants. Oh sorry I got a robot in
my pants!!!
Thailand Plastic Companies, Thai Plastics Manufacturers (Plastic
Companies in Thailand)
Bangkok Companies is a full service
product sourcing company in Thailand. For All your
plastics needs (Plastic Raw materials and finished plastic products) please email
bangkokcompanies@gmail.com with your requests.
|
.