The Benefits of Plastic
Plastic has benefited our society in a number of ways. In fact, plastic has helped aeronautics technology take giant steps forward over the past 50 years, including advancements in satellites, shuttles, aircraft, and missiles. As a result, civilian air travel has improved, as well as military air power and space exploration. In addition, the building and construction, electronics, packaging, and transportation industries have all benefited greatly from plastic.
Plastic in Aeronautics
Plastics were first introduced to the world of aerospace during World War II, mostly because other materials were limited. During the war, plastic slowly started to be used as a substitute for rubber in items such as fliers' boots and fuel-tank linings. Eventually, it became the preferred material for these applications. Plastic was then used with airborne radar systems and viewed as a significant advancement in this technology because it allowed waves to pass through with minimal loss.
The fact that plastic was able to withstand heat also lead to its being recognized as an important material in aerospace technology. Today, plastics are used in the solid fuel boosters form rockets and in the ablative shields for reentry of space shuttles.
Plastic materials are also used in the making of helicopters because they are rigid and durable, yet flexible enough to withstand the vibrations made by helicopters. The fact that plastic is both lightweight and strong also has its advantages in the field of aerospace because the weight of the aircraft can be reduced by using plastic. This results in improved aerodynamics, which leads to improved fuel efficiency and performance. In fact, reducing the weight of a jetliner by just one pound saves $1,000 in fuel during the liner's lifetime.
