For Plastic we have terms and definitions in 12 topics. The topics are Adhesives and Sealants, Construction, Energy, Explosives, Glass, Hippy, Huntingtons Disease, Nutrition, Pavement, Plastics, Volcano and Wire.

Plastic (Adhesives and Sealants)

A synthetic material made from organic compounds. Also can be defined as malleable (i.e. the ability to be molded into different shapes).

Plastic (Construction)

A synthetic material made from long chains of molecules; has the capability of being molded or shaped, usually by the application of heat and pressure

Plastic (Energy)

A generic term for a range of high-molecular-weight polymers that can be used to produce a variety of items.

Plastic (Explosives)

Plastic, any synthetic organic material that can be molded under heat and pressure into a shape that is retained after the heat and pressures are removed. There are two basic types of plastic: thermosetting, which cannot be resoftened after being subjected to heat and pressures; and thermoplastic, which can be repeatedly softened and reshaped by heat and pressure. Plastics are made up chiefly of a binder consisting of long chainlike molecules called Polymers. Binders can be natural materials, e.g., Cellulose, or (more commonly) synthetic Resins, e.g., Bakelite. The permanence of thermosetting plastics is due to the heat- and pressure-induced cross-linking reactions the polymers undergo. Thermoplastics can be reshaped because their linear or branched polymers can slide past one another when heat and pressure are applied. Adding plasticizers and fillers to the binder improves a wide range of properties, e.g., hardness, elasticity, and resistance to heat, cold, or acid. Adding Pigments imparts color. Plastic products are commonly made from plastic powders. In compression molding, heat and pressure are applied directly to the powder in the mold cavity. Alternatively, the powder can be plasticized by outside heating and then poured into molds to harden (transfer molding); be dissolved in a heating chamber and then forced by a plunger into cold molds to set (injection molding); or be extruded through a die in continuous form to be cut into lengths or coiled (extrusion molding). The first important plastic, celluloid, has been largely replaced by a wide variety of plastics known by such trade names as Plexiglas, Lucite, Polaroid, and cellophane. New uses continue to be found and include contact lenses, machine gears, and artificial body parts. The widespread use of plastics has led to environmental problems. Because plastic products do not decay, large amounts accumulate as waste. Disposal is difficult because they melt when burned, clogging incinerators and often emitting harmful fumes, e.g., the hydrogen chloride gas given off by Polyvinyl Chloride. Also ™DE_ Polypropylene; Polyurethanes; Teflon.

Plastic (Glass)

Susceptible to being modeled or shaped. Glass is plastic when it is in a molten state.

Plastic (Hippy)

Something or someone artificial, unreal. "I hate shopping malls, they're so plastic."

Plastic (Huntingtons Disease)

Able to be shaped or changed.

Plastic (Nutrition)

Synthetic materials used for packaging; those used for oils may cause contact derivatives in sensitive individuals; contrary to marketing hype, they are neither biodegradable nor truly recyclable. As a result dark glass is preferable for oil packaging.

Plastic (Pavement)

A condition of freshly mixed concrete such that it is readily remoldable and workable, cohesive, and has an ample content of cement and fines, but is not over-wet.

Plastic (Plastics)

Material, usually polymers developed from the by-products of oil refining and coal distillation, which, though stable in normal use, changes its shape when pressure or heat (or both) is applied. If the materials soften again when reheated, they are said to be thermoplastic. If, after fashioning, they resist further applications of heat, they are said to be thermoset.

Plastic (Volcano)

Capable of being molded into any form, which is retained.

Plastic (Wire)

Any solid material employing organic matter of a high molecular weight as a principal constituent, which can be shaped by heat and pressure during manufacturing or processing into a finished article.

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