Abstract
A NEW 16·mm. sound and colour film, "The Nature of Plastics which has been sponsored by Bakelite, Ltd., was shown for the first time at the British Council Theatre in London on April 5. The film, which runs for about 20 minutes, is a scientific documentary and is designed to explain to the intelligent layman the broad principles of the structural characteristics of plastics and their associated physical properties. The molecular chain structure is particularly emphasized and is illustrated by largescale molecular models. Then, with the aid of mechanical analogies, the packing of the chains is related to the physical properties, tight-, medium-and loose-packing corresponding to fibres, heatsoftening plastics and rubbers respectively. In the case of the rubber structures, the chains can be locked by means of cross-connecting atoms, and this produces a heat- and chemical-resistant material which is called a heat-hardening or thermosetting plastic. The use of fillers to improve this plastic is also discussed. To illustrate the chemistry, the phenol-formaldehyde plastic is considered. The last part of the film ranges over the industrial use of plastics. The production of the film is of a high standard, and scientific accuracy has been maintained throughout. No doubt the film will be widely used for educational purposes, and it can be strongly recommended for showing to senior forms of schools, etc. Applications for the loan of prints should be made to Bakelite, Ltd., 18 Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.I.
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Nature of Plastics. Nature 163, 559–560 (1949). https://doi.org/10.1038/163559d0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/163559d0