Types of plastics. Properties and applications.
Characters:
Theme: Plastics
Competencies
Competence in Linguistic Communication
Mathematical competence in science, technology and engineering
Digital Competence
Personal, social and learning to learn competence
Entrepreneurial Competence
Subjects and year by Educational System
Spain > Technology and digitisation > 3rd ESO > Troubleshooting process. Materials, products and technological solutions
Enunciation
Existe un tipo de plástico que es más resistente que el acero y resistente al fuego. Este plástico, llamado Kevlar, pertenece al grupo de los llamados termoplásticos y fue descubierto por Stephanie Kwolek, quien fue una química pionera en el campo de los materiales poliméricos que en 1965 descubrió un polímero líquido que pronto sería conocido como Kevlar. Tuvo una carrera llena de éxitos. Trabajó para acercar a los jóvenes a la ciencia. En sus propias palabras, “Creo que los jóvenes necesitan inspiración para creer en sí mismos y no tener miedo de pensar diferente”.
1. State the differences between thermoplastics and thermosets. 
2. Draw the internal structure of thermoplastics and thermosets.
3. Write down 4 applications where Kevlar is used.
4. Classify the following types of plastics, stating if they belong to the group of thermoplastics or thermosets:
PVC
TEFLON
BAKELITE
METHACRYLATE
NYLON
MELAMINE
POLYURETHANE
CELLOPHANE
POLYETHYLENE
POLYSTYRENE
Observations and context
We can relate Stephanie Kwolek's invention of Kevlar plastic to other far-reaching inventions for industry and technological progress made by women: Wifi (Hedy Lamarr), GPS (Gladis Mae West), the electronic book (Ángela Ruiz Robles), anti-reflective glass (Katharine Blodgett), vacuum packaging (Amanda Jones), fiber optic cable (Shirley Jackson), VoiP technology (Marian Croak), portable X-rays (Marie Curie) or the circular saw (Sarah Tabitha Babbitt).
Description
Type: exercises to learn about and distinguish the different types of plastics, their properties and applications, within the topic of Plastics.
Objectives: analysing the methods for obtaining plastic materials used in the fabrication of technological projects. Describing the internal structure of different plastic materials, as well as the alterations to which they can be subjected, in order to improve their properties, taking into account their intended use.