The expansion of plastic production occurred after the Second World War. Although initially considered to be a "substitute" for natural materials, their properties have far outstripped many of their features and have therefore begun to be used permanently. Gradually, they have penetrated a number of industries ranging from the electronics industry to the automotive industry.
"Their key advantages include, for example, high thermal, chemical and mechanical resistance, resilience or strength, and also low weight compared with metal. Together with its easy workability, electrical insulating properties and noise and vibration damping, this makes it an ideal industrial material. A big advantage is, last but not least, economical savings compared to other materials, " says Oldřich Kovařík (OK DESIGN).
Without precisely shaped parts and parts made of plastic and polymer composites, today's home appliances from modern LCDs and LED TVs and computers through dishwashers to washing machines, dryers, and refrigerators would not go away. A lighter version of metal components is also applied to industrial machines where plastic and composite materials are also used to produce safety covers or cladding.
"Plastics are an important material, especially in the automotive and aviation industry. An example of their use is a tank pump module or a car intake module. Plastic parts can also be found in headlamps. Another option is to use plastic / metal combinations, where the flawless properties of both materials will emerge , " says Oldřich Kovařík.
Plastic gun frames, all-plastic weapon from 3D printers
Plastic parts are also used in the arms industry. For decades, durable polymers have been used on gun frames. Heckler & Koch was the first to use them, and GLOCK successfully joined him. Similar uses of plastic gradually penetrated into revolvers where the frames face greater forces than the mentioned pistols.
All-plastic weapons that would not capture the security frame are still fantasies of film production. However, the whole plastic weapon was created. On a 3D printer he printed it a few years ago after a part of a twenty-five-year-old law student in the United States. The only non-plastic component was a striker, but the weapon was barely a single shot.
Source: tz, edited editorially