WHAT ARE PLASTICS

For industrial purposes, where material reliability and durability is required, a large variety of substances called additives have been developed to limit the effect of processing and service conditions on the polymer. The combination of a polymer with appropriate additives creates a plastic. 

These additives not only prolong the life of the material in its application, but also prevent the material from degrading under the high temperatures and mechanical loads induced by processing. In Tables 2.3 and 2.4 some of the more commonly-used additives are listed. 

Heatstabilisers prevent chain sds.sioh, depolymerisation some contain heavy metals 

Antioxidants Ill Prevent oxidatu e degradation phenols, aromatic amines f can be used to - protect material in pJocessing and 

UV protection agents prevent photo- -c oxidative degradation. . organics, metallic f cdmplexe.s, inorganic pigments  

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