Plastic Materials

Abstract

ALTHOUGH a large number of new industries dealing with the products of plastic materials have been established in recent years, it is not yet realised the extent to which these ‘substitute’ materials have nowadays replaced natural products. In order to introduce plastic materials to other industries, as well as to the public, an exhibition was opened by Lord Irwin at the Science Museum, South Kensington, on April 5, which traces the course of the plastics industry from the various raw materials used in the production of plastics to the final product of artificial wood, china, horn and metals. Natural and synthetic resins, cellulose and casein are the principal bases on which the new industries depend and from these has been built up a wide variety of manufactures, ranging from aircraft accessories, buttons, dental instruments, electric insulation, fancy goods, furniture, gramophone records, combs, spectacle cases to scientific instruments and such sports requisites as golf balls and billiard balls. The term ‘plastic materials’ covers a number of natural and artificial chemical products, the chief property of which is that they can take shape or form under pressure. One of the most interesting features of the exhibition is a room in which the furniture and the surfaces are made entirely of plastic materials. The exhibition will remain, open until the end of September.