Bakelite and Plastics

Introduction to Bakelite and Plastics

Bakelite is a plastic that operates in ways different from all other plastics. Bakelite was the first product in the plastic industry to be synthesized, and its advent marked a revolution in chemistry because it is an electrical insulator and has the property of thermosetting. Bakelite is used in communication devices and gadgets, jewelry and kitchen utensils, and other equipment. Plastic is the most popular polymeric material available in a very wide classification of both synthetic and semi-synthetic. Plastic is affordable and the convenience that comes along with it is that it is easy to mold. Plastic has largely replaced other traditional materials such as cotton and clay, wood and stone, leather and born, paper, metal, as well as glass in present-day society. 

Instrumentation of Bakelite and Plastics

Bakelite and plastics testing involves injection molding and compression-based techniques to shape materials. Thermogravimetric Analysis technique (TGA) along with Calorimetry determine the heat resistance and thermal properties of bakelite and plastics. Tensile strength testers determine the mechanical characteristic qualities of insulating material while Dielectric strength testers are used to determine electrical insulating characteristics of bakelite and plastics based on the dielectric strength of the material.  The surface durability is analyzed by hardness testers.

Strengths and limitations of Bakelite and Plastics

Strengths

• Bakelite is a very good electrical insulating, heat and chemical-resisting material. It provides durability and can deform after stress is applied. 
• Plastics are flexible, lightweight, and versatile in their applications

Limitations 

• Bakelite can break easily and does not show remolding properties once set. It is often described as a non-recyclable type of thermoplastic.
• Plastics have very low biodegradation capabilities and are hazardous to the environment. They display lower heat resistance than bakelite. 

Bakelite and Plastics-Related Techniques

Bakelite and plastics are related to techniques including thermal analysis (DSC, TGA), tensile and hardness testing, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).