Ask A Scientist© Physics Archive

Question:  What is plastic made out of and how is it made?
------------------------------------------------
Answer:  The things that go into plastics are various products from
oil refineries (hydrocarbons) and some other elements, most often
chlorine (which is made from salt).  Plastics are generally made
through a polymerization process, where small molecules are made
through a series of reactions, and then those small molecules
are combined (through heat or pressure) so that they all join
up forming a stable solid material.  There are lots of different
varieties though, which makes recycling plastics rather difficult!
Arthur Smith
=========================================================