Please, look up from the screen for a moment! What do you see? We will tell you: you will probably see a product made from or containing plastic. We are talking about a common material – and our products made from it – so much so that we do not even notice how dominant material this is. In our current blog entry, we will highlight some interesting stages of the triumph of plastic.

The history of plastic production: the beginnings

The first plastic was created by a British chemist, Alexander Parkes, which he named parkesine after himself – so that we cannot really accuse him of false modesty. He first introduced objects made from parkesine, resembling elephant ivory, at the Great London Exposition of 1862 and at a similar event in Paris five years later.

By the way, elephant ivory! Would you imagine that elephants play an important role in the history of plastic? This is exactly what we are talking about! Actually, the story began with billiard balls because for many centuries, elephant tusk was the raw material for these small but important objects. However, without moderation, humans have reduced the population of these large animals to the extent where tusk has almost become scarce. To meet demands, an alternative source needed to be found.

Challenge was increased when an important billiard ball manufacturing company, Phelan and Collander offered a then handsome fee of 10,000 dollars for the one who finds the perfect material to replace it. As a result of many sleepless nights, conducting countless of experiments, a New York engineer, John Wesley Hyatt and his brother, Isaiah Smith Hyatt created the long-awaited new material. Although it was not fusible, celluloid, as a trademark registered under the name of celluloid in 1870, became malleable, just like elephant ivory. By the way, celluloid was first used by dentists instead of the previously popular but expensive vulcanized rubber.

Despite winning the handsome fee, the Hyatt brothers realized that it is not possible to form a perfect billiard ball from celluloid because its bouncing and weight lag behind objects made from elephant ivory. For this reason, they produced a material that we call plastic.

PVC

An important sidetrack is the emergence of polyvinyl chloride, that is PVC. The synthesis of this is attributed to a German chemist, Eugen Baumann, who created this material in 1872, after extensive tests and experiments. In 1926, Waldo Semon and the BF Goodrich Company developed a method to plasticize it by mixing various additives to PVC. The result was a more flexible and easily processable material, which soon has become widespread in trade. PVC is still popular today and it is considered to be indispensable in the production of pipes and electric cables.

What is plastic?

We are closer to the solution in English: the word “plastic” comes from the Greek “plasticos” and it means formable. The most important property of synthetic polymers made of long chains of atoms and repetitive units is exactly their “plasticity”: due to the length of chains and the layout of their pattern, polymers are strong, light and flexible. Their plasticity makes them extremely useful.

After celluloid

Unfortunately, celluloid proved to be extremely flammable, so chemists and inventors started to find or create another material. In 1905, a chemist mixed phenol, which is the byproduct of coal tar, with formaldehyde and at one fell swoop, he created a new polymer, Bakelite. It was Leo Hendrik Baekeland, who was of Flemish origin but lived in the US and who even obtained patent rights related to the new material a few years later.

Why was Bakelite considered as revolutionary? Primarily because it eliminated the flammability of celluloid, while raw materials for production were easier to acquire, so it became suitable for mass production. It was also proven that Bakelite is not only durable and heat-resistant, but also a good insulator. With his invention, Baekeland created a resinous thermosetting material, which – poured into a mold – could take several various shapes.

Bakelite that could be colored and sanded was soon used to produce domestic electric devices, toys, boxes, lamps or instrument panels for cars, while today it is also known as an electric insulation material and pot handle (and last but not least, it is the synonym of the traditional vinyl record).

The beginning of expansion

The newly founded Bakelite Corporation did not leave the spread of their plastic to chance: in 1926, they presented a small brochure that propagated the everyday use and appearance of the new material. From the pipe of the husband, through the pacifier of the infant, to the pen of the mother, a series of illustrations and descriptions detailed the viability of Bakelite and its potential. So, the first synthetic plastic was going to succeed from the beginning because it was easy to identify with its advantages, and it made sense that it has a place in households.

Plastic develops further

In 1913, the Swiss Jacques Edwin Brandenberger invented cellophane, a cellulose-based transparent and waterproof material that soon was used in packaging.

In the 1920s, the first experiments began to create plastic as raw material from oil. In 1935, an American chemist, Wallace Carothers synthesized the (polyamide) textile fiber that is today known as nylon in the Dupont Chemical Laboratory.

This material caused the increase in popularity of “synthetic fibers”, and one of its most important markets was textile industry: from pantyhose to parachute, countless of products are made from cellophane. This invention proved to be crucial in the dreadful years of World War II, when there were no adequate supplies of natural materials for military. During world war, parachutes, ropes and waterproof raincoats were made from nylon. It is no wonder that plastic production in the US increased more than four times in those years.

The age of plastic

Two employees of Calico Printers’ Association in Manchester, John Rex Whinfield and James Tennant Dickson patented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in 1941. PET spread after World War II and it was used to produce parachutes, sweaters and shirts that need no ironing.

The unofficial beginning of the “years of plastic” might be March 11, 1954, when Giulio Natta, the subsequent winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry wrote in his diary: “I have created polypropylene.” The new material later named as “Moplen” allowed thousands or products to be produced from containers, through car components, to bowls and toys.

The appearance of PET bottles

The synthetic material previously invented by Whinfield and Dickson entered the world of food packaging in 1973, when Nathaniel Wyeth (Du Pont), inventor and productive American engineer accepted the challenge: to find the way to create ginger bottles without glass. After years of tests, the new method to produce plastic bottles was patented in 1977. His solution was to use a special shape that extends fibers in a way that molecules are aligned, and so that the material becomes stronger. The bottle worked out by Wyet was light, shock-resistant and transparent.

Here we are today

As we have mentioned in the introduction, we can find various plastic products everywhere. Do we need an adhesive tape for electric purposes? Are we looking for a protective helmet with sweat-absorbing inserts? We can find it! Even its industrial use is extremely widespread, and we can buy accessories as well, such as superglue to repair plastic components of the automotive industry.

As we can see, the two centuries of plastic have brought extreme convenience and comfort, plastic has become an integral part of our everyday life. Its story since the 19^th century continues: by the modernization of production and by the development of the technology of recyclability, we have more and more opportunities to protect our environment.

According to a proverb, April is a fickle month, and this year, she demonstrated this on several occasions. We know that the end of spring is near, perhaps we are preparing our souls for the warm weather and for heat waves, but occasionally rough and cold days can surprise us. This is also one of the reasons for improving the capacity of our home to retain heat and for eliminating possible energy gaps. One cost efficient and simple tool for doing this is window film – instead of replacing windows.

Window insulation: Plan B’s for the same issue

Weather gives us cold and heat as well. We are now interested in the first one: what shall we do if we notice that the heat of our home leaks away? This is often an issue especially in case of old types of windows. How shall we engage to resolve the problem if we get dizzy by looking at numbers in our heating bill?

When we realize that probably we will need to replace windows, we would like to commit ourselves to a solution that is best for our wallet and for our financial resources. For example, if we do not want to throw away old windows, there are options to mend them subsequently. For this purpose, we have a wide variety of options: we can choose rubber seals, silicone strips of foam, which mean a lot of work, or insulating cushions placed between the two window casements, but this reduces light in the room, and there are also heat-insulating curtains – but these also make our home darker.

We are calling them plan B’s for a reason: they work but with a compromise. If we decide to use a truly cost-efficient and aesthetic window film, we can get rid of much headache. This is the real plan A!

Window insulation with window films

The place of the cold of winter is outside of the house – and that of the window film is on the window, within the room. We can put an end to heat leaks even for the price of a window replacement. According to certain calculations, 93% of the heat leaking through the windows can be kept inside with an appropriate window film even if we are talking about a simple glass structure. One of the tricks of this type of window insulation is that it significantly reduces the amount of condensation on the window glass, that is it prevents condensation.

It is recommended to consider products corresponding to our financial capacities and comfort standards. Why is this necessary? Bad insulation is like a half-open door for cold, while the film can keep warm air inside. According to an American research, one badly insulated windowpane loses twenty times more heat than a well-insulated wall of the same surface area. Another shocking data says that in winter, 30% of the heating is wasted through the windows. From this aspect, windows are considered to be the weaknesses of the house, but fortunately, we can change everything in our favor with window films.

There is nothing cozier than sitting inside, in the appropriately heated room, having a mug of hot chocolate and looking at the cold winter world outside! But first we have to tackle the problem caused by bad insulation.

How do window films work?

Due to its material and structure, heat reflective films reflect and disperse heat in the room. Basically, windows become thicker in this case, while its transparency is not reduced, so the same amount of light gets into the room as before. (A layer of air is created between the internal glass and the film, and air is an insulating medium).

The self-adhesive film needs to be applied and stuck to a perfectly cleaned glass surface. It is relatively quick to install at home. And if we see any bump or unevenness, we can smooth unruly wrinkles for example with a hair dryer. Usually it is easier to start sticking from one of the corners on the top and moving down because it is easier to install the film this way.

The good news is that our little investment of this can return even under one heating period. What is more, depending on weather, we can use the films for even 10-15 years. The film does not produce a significant amount of waste, so in case of replacing the window, we do not have to expect an environmental impact caused by the disposal of windows. It is easy to see that the advantage of window films is their simplicity.

Nowadays, there is a wide range of products to choose from. From Flanker, you can buy 3M™ Prestige 70, an outdoor heat- and light reflective building glass film made for huge glass surfaces, but also a 3M™ sun-reflective window film that protects the room even from eager eyes.

It is not only a financial issue to keep cold outside during bitterly cold winter days, but a well-insulated window is also a factor strongly influencing our mood and personal comfort. It is not by chance that one of the best-known Hungarian poets of the 19^th century wrote this: “Where does happiness live now? In friendly, warm rooms.”

Of course, we thoroughly agree with this thought.

The sounds of spring include not only the whistle and trilling of birds but also the sound of vehicles going far. Very few people think of the fact that during a longer trip by car, the impact of gravel, rockfall and even weather is to be considered as the enemy of the car. Fortunately, we can choose a simple solution also to this problem.

What does the paint protection film protect from?

The name is a little bit misleading. If we take a look at, for example, the description of 3M™ Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film, paint is not mentioned at all. This is a stone guard film product that provides the highest level of scratch- and stain resistance, transparency and durability for the owner who wishes to spare their car.

The category name of stone guard film takes us closer to the advantages of such products. Unfortunately, these have the very right to exist in Hungary because a considerable portion of around 32,000 km of road still does not have modern concrete surface. Dirt roads and graveled and neglected places are breeding grounds for rockfall.

The advantage of paint protection films

So, let us stick with the category name of paint protection films! These films mean an excellent solution for the more vulnerable surfaces of the car for these reasons: one side of this extremely thin, clear protective layer perfectly conforming to the shape of the car is equipped with a pressure-sensitive adhesive that allows to be easily placed on the vehicle. In addition to this, their material provides an incredibly good protection – the Pro Series of the 3M™ Scotchgard™ SGH6PRO Paint Protection Film, for example, has a self-healing formula that causes smaller scratches to disappear easily by themselves. The transparent coated technology shows a maximum resistance to weather, abrasion and even to stains. This way, the “wound” of the car is healing quickly.

With its thickness of 200 microns and its polyurethane film that can be stamped, the 3M™ 8592 Paint Protection Film provides an adequate protection even against shrinkage and expansion. In addition, the film does not have a transparent layer, so it can be an ideal choice for surfaces that cannot be seen, while in the range of transparent films, the 8 mm 3M™ Scotchgard™ SGH6PRO Paint Protection Film is also available.

Usually products called PRO are called like this for a reason: these car protection tools perfectly conforming to the outline of the car and made from tough polyurethane provide PRO, that is professional protection, for example, for front bumpers, side mirrors, hood, door handle cups and the edges of doors. It is also good news that they protect the vehicle also from damages caused by UV-rays. By looking at it, our vehicle is the same as we are used to, but it can roll out even to unmarked roads in a prepared state, that is equipped with abrasion-, puncture-, and tear resistance, supplemented by heat- and moisture resistance as well.

 This way, we can sleep well at night instead of worrying about the exterior of the car. With the current product range and the right decision, which means the use of paint protection films, we can cause more relaxed years for ourselves. (For these products, manufacturers offer a commercial guarantee of several years.)

Let us drive, and drive smart, also thinking of the vehicle’s exterior!

Since the beginning of time, we have always had to stick two things together somehow. Whether it is an adhesive or a traditional fitting mechanism, the purpose is still unchanged. However, a really innovative solution is almost self-evident, and we slap ourselves on the forehead by saying why we did not come up with that before. However, we have no reason to be annoyed but to be relieved that this solution exists: 3M Dual Lock industrial Velcro-type strap closings mean an easily accessible alternative to screw-and-clamp-type fixings that can be widely used.

Back to nature

Just like in case of the best inventions, nature was the source of inspiration and idea for 3M Dual Lock industrial Velcro-type strap closings as well. Researchers discovered that the mushroom-shaped hooks of dragonflies play an important role during mating as they are able to move and stabilize the disproportionately large head of the insect during movement. In addition to biologists, this biomechanical wonder became obvious also for industrial professionals – so, go ahead, they copied it, and we have come into possession of some excellent products!

How 3M Dual Lock industrial Velcro-type strap closings work

First of all, let us take a look at the principle of the tool used in human civilization! Basically, we are talking about reclosable fasteners. Strong, mushroom-shaped heads slide past each other, one of which connects to the other upside down, and they are easy to pull apart when we have to open the Velcro again (this is indicated by a typical, clearly audible sound).

In case of industrial Velcro, we can forget about screws and rivets, as well as about common self-adhesive solutions. But what is the big advantage of this? Fastening is conducted in stripes, on flat surfaces, and without any drilling or other techniques. The industrial Velcro that is great due to its simplicity is easier to assemble compared to other types of fastenings, because, for example, in case of the self-adhesive type, there is no need for a hammer either.

If we take a look at the fastener range of this Velcro, it is obvious that we can choose from products of various density: for example, 170, 250 or 400 refers to the number of mushroom-shaped hooks within an area of one inch, that is 6 cm2. Depending on the surface and on the purpose, we have a wide variety to select from. In addition to this, there are various pressure-sensitive adhesives available that further increase the already strong bond.

Where do we use Velcro?

This solution is usually a popular solution in areas where the firm fastening of elements is important but replaceability is also a requirement. Often it can mean extreme weather conditions, so resistance is also a required feature. Generally, we are talking about panels – such as information table or advertising signs – that are placed inside of means of transport (buses, trains, elevators), but it can also include panels of infrastructural tools, such as the removable panel of an electrical node.

In addition to this, dashboards of vehicles or stand-alone poster advertisings can be excellent “targets” of this Velcro solution. It is not by chance that 3M is one of the partners of Tourig, an American manufacturer of vans designed for extreme conditions.

Of course, there has been Velcro before, but the industrial Velcro of 3M Dual Lock has a performance even 12 times stronger than the hook and loop technique of those. The range is indeed remarkable: we can choose a simple black self-adhesive Velcro, a white one, or we can choose a transparent type, but if we are looking for such products for low section height, we will find them.

Thank you, dragonflies (and engineers)!