The Plastic industry is a bedrock of modern industrial civilisation. There are a variety of scientists and engineers who work in the Plastic industry. Chemical scientists and engineers conduct research and develop new kinds of plastics, mechanical engineers with backgrounds in hydraulics, pneumatics, mechanics, and electronics design the machines, tools and dies for the production process, product designers design a variety of products, technicians work in moulding of plastics. The Plastic Technologist is trained for a number of these tasks and is engaged in the manufacture , fabrication, and end use of existing materials as also the development of new materials, production processes and equipments. Opportunities exist both in research, development and production of plastic materials as well as in the industry where plastic products are turned out.
Plastics comprise a family of materials. On combining different elements different plastics are created for a variety of uses. Substances used to make this product are synthetic resins which are the building blocks for polymers. Compounds like ethylene, benzine, ammonia are joined by various processes. The reactions are meant to cluster atoms of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and nitrogen together to form monomer links. Bigger chains of these monomers are linked together by a process called polymerisation. This complicated chemical process under high temperatures and catalytic agents change the base substances into synthetic resin. Further polymerisation and addition of chemical substances convert it into a grainy substance, polystyrene resin. This substance is a clear colourless substance, by adding colours and through process of moulding one can convert it into a variety of utility products. It can be converted into fine soft plastic sheets, rigid hard utensils, by foaming into leather rexine and furnishing covers. By further hardening into laminates, in combination with asbestos natural rubber, etc., it can be put to various industrial uses. It can also be converted into heat, water proof, electrical current resistant products both for household and industrial uses. Hard product melamine is used for dinner ware, floor coverings, partition walls and roof coverings. In liquid form this product is being converted in to varieties of adhesives. Plastic products are also used in paint industries for synthetic/plastic/enamel paints which are water and weather resistant. It is used as chemical resistant lining for tanks involved in large chemical reactions. The packaging industry depends largely on plastics. Commercial and industrial use of plastics has grown over the past decade.
Natural rubber comes from plantations in hot moist climates. Although natural rubber still accounts for some of the rubber used today, synthetic rubber is used more extensively. Synthetic rubber can be produced at a cost that makes it competitive with natural rubber and has many more applications.
Rubber like material is synthesised from bi products of petroleum refining, i.e., Styrene and Butadine. Mixtures are heated in proportion, cooled under catalytic process, the latex formed is coagulated with acids and salts to form dry rubber. Special purpose rubbers, i.e., butyl rubber which can hold gases is used for tubes, polyisoprene rubber is used for truck tyres, neoparine is rubber used for pipeline, wire insulation etc., Other varieties of rubbers resistant to atmosphere, oils and other corrosives and resistant to sea water are produced by complicated chemical processes.
Industries using rubber obtain dry rubber from synthetic rubber manufacturers for manufacturing different products using a variety of processes. The main processes being heating, moulding and finishing.
Nature of Work
Plastic production process requires plastic/polymer engineers who oversee the production process and develop new products.Under their supervision work the plastic moulders and technicians carrying out the shop floor manufacturing processes.
Plastic/ Polymer engineers
Plastic and polymer engineers develop plastics /polymers to replace the use of glass, wood, metals, to create economical options or to cut on risks eg creating fire resistant plastics. They may be required for developing ecofriendly plastics for reducing pollution and increasing recyclability. This is the application function.
The process engineers oversee the production of high quality, standard material. Creation of accurate products to satisfy stipulated dimensions and standards is a challenge which needs close supervision. Computers are being used in the production process. Plastic engineers also coordinate mould building schedules and tool and die making.
Rubber Technologists
Rubber technology is about designing new product applications with synthetic rubber e.g new fibre combinations, new adhesives, formulation of rubber and plastic compounds for fabrication of products capable of flexibility, wear, traction. Their job in production involves supervision and monitoring of the manufacture of rubber products. In sales and marketing rubber technologists understand the requirements of the customer and keep liason with sales agents. They translate the customer demand to new product design.
Work Environment
Plastic engineers divide their time between the shop floor and their professional office.Working hours may become unregulated when production deadlines have to be met. They can be involved in discussions with potential customers to understand and work on product specifications. Research and development work is carried out in laboratories. There is some risk if adequate safety measures are not taken while using catalysts, solvents, and resins.
Personal Characteristics
Good mechanical aptitude and scientific acumen are required. Imagination, creativity are required for developing new products and in devising new uses of the basic product.Working with a variety of people will require considerable interaction skills as also the ability to write design and product details.
Employment Avenues
Plastic and Polymer industry throughout the world has emerged into a major sector of growth. Aggressive consumerism has brought about a metamorphosis in the industry over the past decade. From 10,000 metric tons consumption has increased to 8,00,000 metric tons and is expected to grow multifold by the turn of the century. There has been a mushrooming growth in plastic processing units though almost 70% are in the small scale sector. The challenges faced by the industry are even at the export front and is expected to cross US $2 billion by the turn of the century. Demands from a variety of industries such as those of the transport sector, agricultural, household appliances and goods, packaging, electric and telecommunication sectors have enhanced research, production and hence created employment in all sections of the industry. Plastic waste management industry has emerged as a parallel option for work. Synthetic rubber too is now in great demand. Opportunities for work exist in technological applications research, production, marketing with industries which use these materials.
Plastics comprise a family of materials. On combining different elements different plastics are created for a variety of uses. Substances used to make this product are synthetic resins which are the building blocks for polymers. Compounds like ethylene, benzine, ammonia are joined by various processes. The reactions are meant to cluster atoms of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and nitrogen together to form monomer links. Bigger chains of these monomers are linked together by a process called polymerisation. This complicated chemical process under high temperatures and catalytic agents change the base substances into synthetic resin. Further polymerisation and addition of chemical substances convert it into a grainy substance, polystyrene resin. This substance is a clear colourless substance, by adding colours and through process of moulding one can convert it into a variety of utility products. It can be converted into fine soft plastic sheets, rigid hard utensils, by foaming into leather rexine and furnishing covers. By further hardening into laminates, in combination with asbestos natural rubber, etc., it can be put to various industrial uses. It can also be converted into heat, water proof, electrical current resistant products both for household and industrial uses. Hard product melamine is used for dinner ware, floor coverings, partition walls and roof coverings. In liquid form this product is being converted in to varieties of adhesives. Plastic products are also used in paint industries for synthetic/plastic/enamel paints which are water and weather resistant. It is used as chemical resistant lining for tanks involved in large chemical reactions. The packaging industry depends largely on plastics. Commercial and industrial use of plastics has grown over the past decade.
Natural rubber comes from plantations in hot moist climates. Although natural rubber still accounts for some of the rubber used today, synthetic rubber is used more extensively. Synthetic rubber can be produced at a cost that makes it competitive with natural rubber and has many more applications.
Rubber like material is synthesised from bi products of petroleum refining, i.e., Styrene and Butadine. Mixtures are heated in proportion, cooled under catalytic process, the latex formed is coagulated with acids and salts to form dry rubber. Special purpose rubbers, i.e., butyl rubber which can hold gases is used for tubes, polyisoprene rubber is used for truck tyres, neoparine is rubber used for pipeline, wire insulation etc., Other varieties of rubbers resistant to atmosphere, oils and other corrosives and resistant to sea water are produced by complicated chemical processes.
Industries using rubber obtain dry rubber from synthetic rubber manufacturers for manufacturing different products using a variety of processes. The main processes being heating, moulding and finishing.
Nature of Work
Plastic production process requires plastic/polymer engineers who oversee the production process and develop new products.Under their supervision work the plastic moulders and technicians carrying out the shop floor manufacturing processes.
Plastic/ Polymer engineers
Plastic and polymer engineers develop plastics /polymers to replace the use of glass, wood, metals, to create economical options or to cut on risks eg creating fire resistant plastics. They may be required for developing ecofriendly plastics for reducing pollution and increasing recyclability. This is the application function.
The process engineers oversee the production of high quality, standard material. Creation of accurate products to satisfy stipulated dimensions and standards is a challenge which needs close supervision. Computers are being used in the production process. Plastic engineers also coordinate mould building schedules and tool and die making.
Rubber Technologists
Rubber technology is about designing new product applications with synthetic rubber e.g new fibre combinations, new adhesives, formulation of rubber and plastic compounds for fabrication of products capable of flexibility, wear, traction. Their job in production involves supervision and monitoring of the manufacture of rubber products. In sales and marketing rubber technologists understand the requirements of the customer and keep liason with sales agents. They translate the customer demand to new product design.
Work Environment
Plastic engineers divide their time between the shop floor and their professional office.Working hours may become unregulated when production deadlines have to be met. They can be involved in discussions with potential customers to understand and work on product specifications. Research and development work is carried out in laboratories. There is some risk if adequate safety measures are not taken while using catalysts, solvents, and resins.
Personal Characteristics
Good mechanical aptitude and scientific acumen are required. Imagination, creativity are required for developing new products and in devising new uses of the basic product.Working with a variety of people will require considerable interaction skills as also the ability to write design and product details.
Employment Avenues
Plastic and Polymer industry throughout the world has emerged into a major sector of growth. Aggressive consumerism has brought about a metamorphosis in the industry over the past decade. From 10,000 metric tons consumption has increased to 8,00,000 metric tons and is expected to grow multifold by the turn of the century. There has been a mushrooming growth in plastic processing units though almost 70% are in the small scale sector. The challenges faced by the industry are even at the export front and is expected to cross US $2 billion by the turn of the century. Demands from a variety of industries such as those of the transport sector, agricultural, household appliances and goods, packaging, electric and telecommunication sectors have enhanced research, production and hence created employment in all sections of the industry. Plastic waste management industry has emerged as a parallel option for work. Synthetic rubber too is now in great demand. Opportunities for work exist in technological applications research, production, marketing with industries which use these materials.
