Bakelite Research Paper

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Bakelite is a the worlds first synthetic plastic. It was invented in 1907 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekelite in New york. Bakelite was invented to be to be heat-resistance, lightweight, and strong. Bakelite can't be melted but molded into any shape, which is why Bakelite became so popular in a short period of time. Bakelite was originally a brown colour, however over time the colour was developed to change because of the chemical composition. The most common things that were made from Bakelite are - telephones, radios, kitchenware, and alot of others. (press here to find out more ) WHO INVENTED BAKELITE? Bakelite was invented by belgian-American chemists Leo Baekeland in 1907. Baekeland at the time was trying to create …show more content…

He then started making a substance that would strengthen wood. Baekeland did alot of tests on different types of wood with formaldehyde and phenol. Soon Baeland noticed that he had created a mixture that was insoluble in any solvent. It was on the 8th febuary 1907 Leo Baekeland explained what he had discovered. Soon after he announced that he had created a new substance he became a marketing success. 40 years after is it was invented, Bakelite could be found in every day day use around the world. Bakelite was created to be lightweight, strong and durable. Many manufacturers started using Bakelite plastic to make jewelry boxes, lamps, desk sets, radios, clocks, kitchenware, and a variety of game pieces such as chess, checkers and billiard balls. Around the 1920s Bakelite became extremely popular for jewelry as it was affordable and a attactive replacement for silver and metal materials. Being heat resistant, Bakelite has been used as a critical safety product for wire insulation and in electrical safety. WILL BAKELITE CONTINUE IN …show more content…

Bakelite is a synthetic. All synthetics are man-made to imitate natural objects. Bakelite is a synthetgic type of plastic that contains of a wide range of chemicals that can be moulded into any shape or form which turns into a solid object. Plastics are organic polymers of elevated molecular mass. HOW TO IDENTIFY BAKELITE. The easiest techniques is by rubbing the Bakelite and smelling the item because it will havea very strong smell. Another way is by putting it under hot water because unlike other plastics, genuine Bakelite is heat resistant. Bakelite also isn't poured like other plastics, its molded, so it shouldn't have a seam. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BAKELITE bakelite is a hard infusable and chemically resistant plastic. it is based on a chemical mixture of phenol and formaldahyde (phenol-formaldehyde resin), two compounds that come from coal tar and wood alcohol (methanol). PROPERTIES Bakelite has a number of unique properties. Bakelite can be molded allowing for mass production of identical items. It's smooth, durable and hard wearing. Bakelite is so strong it doesn't scratch easily and is resistant to many acids and

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