11. Structure, Properties, and Applications of Plastics

This chapter describes the chemical structure and properties of many industrially important thermoplastics used in a wide variety of applications. The word plastic comes from roots that refer to “of molding,” “to mold,” and “form.” It can refer to materials that can be molded, such as clay, which can be deformed continuously and permanently without rupture. In engineering, theword plastic connotes a host of organic synthetic or processed materials – mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers that can be molded, cast, extruded, or drawn; or laminated into parts; or formed into films or fibers.