Plastics

Nitrocellulose

1845

Nitrocellulose (also known as cellulose nitrate, flash paper, flash cotton, guncotton, and flash string) is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose through exposure to nitric acid or another powerful nitrating agent. When used as a propellant or low-order explosive, it was originally known as guncotton.

Celluloid

1860

Solid, white, amorphous, odorless and tasteless substance, and insoluble in water, alcohol and ether, which constitutes the cell membrane of many fungi and vegetables; It is used in the manufacture of paper, fabrics, explosives, varnishes, etc.

Bakelite

1907

The creation of a synthetic plastic was revolutionary for its electrical nonconductivity and heat-resistant properties in electrical insulators, radio and telephone casings and such diverse products as kitchenware, jewelry, pipe stems, children's toys, and firearms. In recent years the "retro" appeal of old Bakelite products has made them collectible

Rayon

1908

Rayon or viscose is a cellulose fiber previously solubilized and subsequently regenerated. It is a very versatile fiber and has the same properties in terms of comfort of use as other natural fibers, being able to imitate the touch of silk, wool, cotton or linen.

Cellophane

1920

Cellophane is a natural polymer derived from cellulose. It has the appearance of a film (like the one used to wrap snacks) thin, transparent, flexible and resistant to tensile stress.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

1926

In its original state, PVC is an amorphous and whitish powder. The resin resulting from said polymerization is a plastic that can be used in multiple ways, since it allows to produce flexible or rigid objects. One of the most interesting properties of PVC is that it is thermoplastic: when subjected to heat, it becomes soft and can be easily molded. When it cools, it recovers the previous solidity without losing the new physionomy.

Neoprene

1931

Neoprene is a family of synthetic rubbers that are produced by polymerization of chloroprene.
Originally called dupreno, was the first synthetic rubber produced on an industrial scale. Wide variety of applications.
It is a good acoustic insulator in transformers. It can also be used as a base for adhesives. Its elasticity and flexibility makes it suitable for designing covers that perfectly fit the object you want to protect. It is sold both as solid rubber or in the form of latex.

Nylon and neoprene

1935

Nylon is a synthetic polymer that belongs to the group of polyamides. It is an elastic and resistant textile fiber, the moth does not attack it, does not require ironing and is used in the manufacture of socks, fabrics and knitted fabrics, also bristles and sedans. Molded nylon is used as a hard material in the manufacture of various utensils, such as brush handles, combs, etc.

Polyethylene

1936

Polyethylene is a type of polymer that is widely used in the manufacture of containers, bags, to coat cables, to make containers and in pipes, among others. It is one of the most common and used plastics in the world, especially for the low cost it represents.

Teflon

1938

Teflon is a material that is used in plumbing to prevent leaks. It is a kind of adhesive tape that is used on threads. Get the joints between pipes and the faucet joints, the stopcocks, the eccentric keys or others sealed.

Tupperware

1949

In 1949 Earl Silas Tupper presented the so-called wonder bowl, a plastic container to transport food tightly, which based its closure in the form of a lid of a paint can turned upside down.
The first lunchboxes were made of polyethylene and later those made of metal became popular, but with the advent of microwave ovens it has become plastic.

Kevlar

1966

Kevlar is a polymer of polyamide type that is used in the elaboration of threads with extraordinary strength benefits and whose mechanization (breakage) is very difficult.
Kevlar can withstand the attacks of many different chemicals, although prolonged exposure to strong acids or bases will degrade it over time. It is strong but relatively light. The specific tensile strength of Kevlar 29 and Kevlar 49 is more than eight times greater than that of steel wire.

Polyester amides

1979