Origin of the Name "Plastic"
There are two types of basic materials: elastic materials that return to their original shape following the application of force, and inelastic materials that do not return to their original shape following the application of force. It is said that the name "plastic" derives from the Greek word "plastics" that describes the latter kind of material.
Plastics are essential to modern living
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Plastics have permeated our daily lives because manufacturers have leveraged the unique features of plastics to produce them in volume both efficiently and uniformly.
Reasons plastics have permeated our daily lives
Because manufacturers have leveraged the unique features of plastics to produce them in volume both efficiently and uniformly. Plastics are more convenient than metal in many respects, but they do have their disadvantages as well.
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Technological advances have improved the aforementioned weaknesses. Blends of different resins, and the integration of plastics with other basic materials such as glass fiber and minerals, have broadened the application range of plastics.