Question

Describe the general properties of plastics.

Answer 1

The general properties of plastics are as follows:
(i) Plastics are bad conductors of heat. Thus, they are used in making the handles of cooking vessels, containers for microwave oven and in refrigerators.
(ii) Plastics are bad conductors of electricity and used as covering materials in electrical appliances, wires, cords etc.
(iii) Plastics are insoluble in water, they are used for making containers to store water such as cans, vessels, bottles etc.
(iv) Plastics are non-reactive to acids and other salts as they do not corrode or rust. Therefore, they are used to store chemicals.
(v) Plastics are inflammable, plastics melt down quickly when kept near a source of fire.