Plastics

Abstract

T h e increasing utilization of plastics in the chemical engineering field has been a significant factor in the 60% growth in production of plastics since 1949. Polyethylene bottles and film are providing a light-weight shatterproof, and corrosionresistant packing medium. Hoods, ducts, tanks, piping, and fittings made of unplasticized polyvinyl chloride are now available from at least four firms in this country. A tough construction material made of glass fibers and polyester resins has proved to be eminently satisfactory for tanks, pipe, and other parts of chemical plant equipment. New plastic materials that are helping to meet the corrosion problems of the chemical industry are epoxy resins, acrylonitrile copolymers, polymethyl alpha-chloroacrylate, and styrene-butadiene copolymers and blends.