GENERAL AWARENESS AND BACKGROUND
Domestic and industrial plastics, foam rubbers and coating materials are interconnected within the same production sector. They are very useful in the manufacturing industry (Ojoye, 2019).
ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL RELEVANCE
Industrial plastic, foam rubber and coatings have relevance across sectors. Their economic, social and industrial importance are intertwined.
Foam rubbers are used in cushioning automobile seats, furniture insulation in walls, and applied in soles and heels in footwear as well as in insulating buildings, refrigerators and freezers (City-Data, 2021). Plastics are used in packaging, food conservation and preservation, provision of convenience, safety and hygiene. They are used for building and construction, plastic pipes, windows, insulation, transportation, for saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and many more (Millet, Vangheluwe, Block, Sevenster, Gracia, Anotonopoulos, 2018).
Industrial coatings provide protection and safety, prevent corrosion, and keep surfaces clean. (Toefco, 2012).
RAW MATERIALS, PRODUCTS AND BY-PRODUCTS
Production of plastics cuts across thermoplastics, polyurethanes, thermosets, adhesives, coatings, sealants and PP-fibres. Also, the top three markets for the use of plastic include packing, building and construction and the automotive sector.
Different foam rubbers include polyether, polyester, ethafoam, volara, closed-Cell Sponge rubber, open-cell Sponge rubber, Cellulose and scrubber foams.
They are used to produce sponges, general cushioning, protective packaging, paint rollers, gaskets, acoustic purposes, packaging electronic equipment, floatation applications, material handling, tapes, medical products, insulation, protective padding, electrical outlets, weather-stripping, thermal insulation, industrial padding, shoe soles, repetitive wear and tear, non-woven fibre scrubber and many more (Thomas Insight, 2021). The process of coating is used in almost every item produced in any industry. They protect a diverse array of products from corrosion, wear and tear. Coating also brings in an aesthetic and colourful appearance.
REFERENCES
Ojoye, T. (2019). Plastic, Foam emerge top industry performers. PUNCH Newspaper. Retrieved from https://punchng.com/plastics-foam-emerge-top-industry-performers/
City-Data (2021). How things are made. Vol. 5. Retrieved from http://www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Foam-Rubber.html
Millet H, Vangheluwe P, Block C, Savenster A, Gracia L, Antonopoulos R (2018). The Nature of Plastics and their Societal Usage. pp. 1-20 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/9781788013314-00001
Thomas Insight (2021). Types of Foam used in Industry. Retrieved from https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/plastics-rubber/types-of-foam/
Toefco (2012). Why Industrial Coatings are important. Retrieved from https://toefco.com/why-industrial-coatings-are-important/
The article was written by Ama Goodness and edited by Evans Osabuohien & Osagie Ekhaguere
