Things You Might Not Know are Made with Plastics

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Things You Might Not Know are Made with Plastics
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Automobile parts, grooming products, sports
clothing, gymnastics floors, tennis racquets,
golf clubs, heavy plastics are making their way
into so many products around you. Considered to
be lighter, more durable and effective, these
thermoplastic composites are not only easy to
use, but more economical as well. Youre probably
aware of the impact plastics are making in your
life, but youd be surprised to learn about some
of the products that rely on plastics.
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Exercise Flooring
Seen those cool exercise floors that offer a bit
of bounce to help gymnasts soften the impact of
their landings? Theyre made using
glass-reinforced high density plastics called
fiberglass and are then topped with a layer of
plastic foam and carpeted using plastic fibers.
Sports Clothing
Irrespective of what sports youre into, youre
probably wearing sports made using high density
plastic such as acrylic, polyester, spandex and
nylon. And thats not even counting all that
safety equipment like shin guards, helmets and
visors.
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Goggles
But goggles are made out of glass, you might
argue. Probably not! Whether youre swimming,
riding or skiing, wearing breakable glass lenses
so close to your eyes isnt the smartest thing to
do, is it? Most sports safety goggles are made
using shatter-resistant heavy plastics such as
polycarbonate. You can even get prescription
lenses made out of these shatterproof plastics as
well.
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Sports Equipment
The heavy wood surfboards of yesterday have been
quickly replaced with plastics that combine
plastic foam and thermoplastic composites to
offer enhanced wave riding action and increased
buoyancy. Your tennis racquet is typically made
using high density plastics as well. Most modern
day racquets combine plastics and carbon fiber.
This makes them stronger and stiffer yet lighter
than previous models.
Shoes
Not the first thing that would come to your mind.
Probably not the last one either. This unexpected
item relies on durable plastic soles to keep you
comfy while running, jumping or kicking. In fact,
Nike uses recycled polyester plastic to make its
Flyknit sneakers, using up 182 million plastic
bottles from landfills.
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Bikes
Gone are those days when bikes were actually so
simple that you could probably make them in your
backyard modern day bikes use carbon fiber
reinforced plastics to combine strength,
reliability and durability while keeping the
weight of the bike in check. These high density
polymers have made their way to the seat posts,
handlebars, frames, cranks and rims.
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Pole Vault
Whats the first thing that comes to your mind
when you look at that pole vault? A piece of
wood? Bamboo perhaps? Not today! The 1950s saw a
switch to glass fiber and plastics, and the world
has been grateful ever since. Modern day pole
vaults are lighter, more flexible and stronger
than ever, helping athletes reach gravity-defying
height.
Our intelligent use of heavy plastics has done
wonders to improve and enhance the environment,
the economy and our lifestyle. And with new
research conducted on a daily basis, we should
see plastics hold an even more important place in
our lives in the near future.
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Technologies4101 Parkstone Heights Dr.Suite
380Austin, Texas  78746-7482USA Technical Sales
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