What makes plastics so strong and durable???

Question

...tom science

Answer 1

I believe the strength is due to:

(a) the strength of the carbon-carbon bonds in the molecules (this makes the individual molecules strong) and

(b) the fact that the molecules are long chains.

You end up with a compound that is esentially made of strong threads woven together much like a strong rope is made of many individual strong fibers. Of course, the molecules in this case are more tangled together than wound about one another, but the principle is similar.

Answer 2

Some super strong plastics have fiber glass fibers in them.
Others gain strength by density a.k.a "HMD"
{High Molecular Density} material. Common plastics are usually subjected to outrageous pressure and some heat to "crush it strong" if you will, to get to this density..

Answer 3

.....that has its origins in crude oil!

Plastics and polymers are perhaps one of the most important products to come out of crude oil. Its that long-chain carbon molecule that does the trick.

Sorry - had to promote the geology.

Answer 4

It's either black magic spawned from the cracked bowels of Hell, or it's the strong carbon-carbon bonds that make up the polymers in plastic.

I prefer the first, because it makes my coffee thermos seem more interesting.

Answer 5

Plastic is a product of oil, but i do like brian l's first answer better...much more interesting.

Answer 6

plastics are not that strong...you are just weak...now get off the computer and go work out !!!

Answer 7

oil, just ask bush he nos all about it

Answer 8

Because of its elasticity...