Plastic is a type of material whose main component is natural or synthetic resin, with various additives added. Under certain conditions, it can be molded into shapes and can maintain its shape at room temperature. The development of plastic technology is changing with each passing day. The development of new materials for new applications, the improvement of performance for existing material markets, and the improvement of performance for special applications can be described as several important directions for new material development and application innovation. The insulation properties, heat resistance, and fire resistance of some high-end engineering plastics and compounds are more valuable. In addition, environmental protection and biodegradability have become a highlight of new plastics.
New plastic types
Nippon Electric Corporation has newly developed a bioplastic based on plants, which has a thermal conductivity comparable to that of stainless steel. The company mixed carbon fiber with a length of several millimeters and a diameter of 0.01mm and a special adhesive into polylactic acid resin made from corn to produce a new type of bioplastic with high thermal conductivity. If 10% carbon fiber is mixed in, the thermal conductivity of bioplastic is comparable to that of stainless steel; when 30% carbon fiber is added, the thermal conductivity of bioplastic is twice that of stainless steel, and the density is only 1/5 of stainless steel.
The research and development of bioplastics is mainly limited to the fields of bio-based monomers or polymers produced as direct raw materials or through microbial fermentation. However, with the expansion of the bioethanol and biodiesel markets in recent years, bioethanol and glycerol are used as raw materials for production. Bioplastics technology has received widespread attention and has been commercialized. In addition to good thermal conductivity, this bioplastic also has the advantages of being light in weight, easy to form, and causing little environmental pollution. It can be used to produce thin and light outer frames of electronic products such as computers and mobile phones.
Color changing plastic film
The University of Southampton in the UK and the Institute of Plastics Research in Darmstadt in Germany have jointly developed a color-changing plastic film. This film combines natural optical effects with artificial optical effects, and is actually a new way to allow objects to change color accurately. This color-changing plastic film is a plastic opal film, which is composed of plastic balls stacked in a three-dimensional space. The plastic balls also contain tiny carbon nanoparticles, so that light is not only transmitted between the plastic balls and the surrounding material. It reflects from the edge zone between them, and also reflects from the surface of the carbon nanoparticles filled between these plastic balls. This greatly deepens the color of the film. As long as the volume of the plastic sphere is controlled, light substances that only scatter certain spectral frequencies can be produced.
Plastic blood
Researchers at the University of Sheffield in the UK have developed an artificial ” plastic blood ” that looks like a thick paste. As long as it is dissolved in water, it can be given to patients for blood transfusion and can be used as a blood substitute in emergency procedures. This new type of artificial blood is made of plastic molecules. There are millions of plastic molecules in a piece of artificial blood. These molecules are similar in size and shape to hemoglobin molecules. They can also carry iron atoms and transport oxygen throughout the body like hemoglobin. Since the manufacturing raw material is plastic, this kind of artificial blood is light and easy to carry, does not need to be refrigerated, has a long shelf life, is more efficient than real artificial blood, and has a lower cost.
New bulletproof plastic
A scientific research team in Mexico recently developed a new type of bulletproof plastic, which can be used to make bulletproof glass and bulletproof clothing. The quality is only 1/5 to 1/7 of traditional materials. This is a specially processed plastic substance that is super bulletproof compared to plastics with normal structures. Tests have shown that the new plastic can withstand bullets up to 22mm in diameter. Normal bulletproof materials will be damaged and deformed after being hit by bullets, making them unable to continue to be used. This new type of material will temporarily deform after being impacted by a bullet, but it will quickly return to its original shape and can continue to be used. In addition, this new material can evenly distribute the impact of the bullet, thereby reducing damage to the human body.
Noise reducing plastic
Recently, Polymer Group Inc. (PGI) of the United States used renewable polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate to create a new basic material that can be used in moldable automotive parts to reduce noise. This material is mainly used in body and wheel well liners to create a barrier layer that can absorb sound in the car compartment and reduce noise by 25% to 30%. PGI has developed a special one-step production process, organically combine recycled materials and untreated materials, and make the two materials into a whole through lamination and needle punching.
Melamine foam is a new type of foam sound-absorbing material, which has the characteristics of sound absorption, heat insulation, heat and moisture resistance, stable performance, flame retardant and fire protection. The sound absorption characteristics of melamine sound-absorbing materials in different types and installation situations different. Therefore, it is widely used in sound absorption, sound insulation and noise reduction projects in buildings and transportation tools and equipment.
Latest developments
With the rapid development of science and technology, new plastics are constantly emerging. The insulation performance, heat resistance and fire resistance of some high-end engineering plastics and compounds are of great value. In addition, environmental protection and biodegradability have become a highlight of new plastics.
The new plastic is made from edible corn starch and is absolutely environmentally friendly and pollution-free. In addition, the plastic it produces is also degradable. Products made from these raw materials will dissolve as long as they are buried deep after being eliminated. Very environmentally friendly.
In addition, the newly developed plastic antibacterial agent has greatly improved the antibacterial life of antibacterial plastics. The core technology of antibacterial plastic development is to add antibacterial agents to plastics. The newly developed inorganic antibacterial agent inhibits bacterial growth and reproduction through the antibacterial and bactericidal effect of the contained metal ions (Ag+, Cu2+, Zn2+), does not produce drug resistance, and has outstanding heat resistance (>600°C). In the past, antibacterial agents can cause microorganisms to develop drug resistance, have poor chemical stability, and are prone to migration in plastics. Upstream improvements have been greatly improved to ensure the antibacterial lifespan of antibacterial plastics.
The continuous emergence of new plastics also stimulates the continuous development and use of cutting-edge new technologies in the waste plastics industry to promote the waste plastics industry to move closer to a more environmentally friendly and high-tech industry.
