Plastics are the subsets of materials known as Polymers. These are composed of large molecules formed by joining many smaller molecules together which are nothing but monomers. Polymers are of various kinds like fibres, films etc. Plastics have permeated every facet of human life viz. agriculture and water consumption, building construction, communication, small and bulk packaging, education, medicine, transportation, to name a few.

Plastic growth has been steady world wide which is much higher than GDP growth and their is huge global demand for major polymers

Above graph shows how their have been steady increase in growth of plastics world wide. Plastics comes into existence in every aspect of life. For example, if you need to withdraw money from ATM, you need Debit card which is also made up of plastic, chairs on which you take a seat and many more. Plastics also comes into picture when national security appears to be the most important aspect.

Today, polymers and polymer based materials stand as major competitive structural materials even for high temperature applications and heavy duty performances. Polymeric materials have edge over other materials due to their low density and corrosion resistance. Polymeric materials have improved the quality of life in the modern society and have become a natural choice in varied applications. Polymers are basically environment friendly and can be recycled number of times and hence can save the forests and wood. However, in recent times, it has been observed that a negative impression about impact of polymers on environment is being created in the minds of society. The need of the hour is to educate society by imparting proper guidance on disposal and waste management.

Plastics have following typical properties

• Corrosion resistance
• Light Weight
• High mouldability
• Non-magnetic property
• Drag Reducing property
• Combustible even in vacuum
• Semi-conducting
• Thermally insulating

Plastics , are therefore, the materials of choice for several applications in defence systems, sub-systems, equipment and devices.

Applications in the Army

Arms and Ammunitions

• Rifle - high impact fabric filled phenolic compound for butt stock and pistol grip.
• Light Machine Gun - Hand grip
• Bullets for mob control - Rubber / Nylon 6
• Combustible Cartridge cases
• Striker pins in fuses - Nylon 6
• Army Helicopters - Composite blades and body structures.
• Parachutes - Polyester fabrics

Tanks

• Tank armour
• Kevlar nets

Trucks and jeeps

• Filament wound FRP ring inside rubber wheels
• One piece hood for drivers cabin and engine in trucks
• Jeep body
• Other non-tyre applications
• Transparent armour for bullet proof vehicles

Body armour

• Bullet proof armour for body and cars
• Bullet proof helmets
• Anti Riot Polycarbonate Shield

Protective Clothing

• Bomb disposal suit
• Sleeping bag
• Mine blast protective suit

General

• Large fuel tank
• Shelters and buildings
• Cushioning materials
• Containers
• Water Pipes - PVC
• Kitchen wares
• Ropes

Applications in the Airforce

• Bomb bodies
• Parachutes
• 'O' rings - rubber
• Structural adhesives

Applications in the Navy

• Mine sweepers
• Corner reflectors
• Torpedo casings
• Unsinkable floats
• PVC pipes for radio active waste disposal
• Binders for paints

• Written by Abhishek Dua.
• In category General Reference.
• 15 years ago.

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