Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: neilep on 02/04/2008 18:06:32

Title: Was Polystyrene a mistake or made by design ?
Post by: neilep on 02/04/2008 18:06:32

Dear Plasticologists ?


See this box of fun ?

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Don't ewe just wannna jump in and play ?

Polystyrene is my all time favourite light weight packaging type protector plastic type thing !! (erhhm..it is a plastic yes ?)


It's such an unusual texture and makes a great flotation device too !...even better than me when I've had my annual bath and sheep dip shampoo !

Was Polystyrene invented by design ?.......did someone say " We need a light weight plastic thing that is great for all kind of things...." and did they then invent it...or was it  (like my youngest two brats)....an accident ?

I just don't know....do ewe ?....but I'd like to know !!

Title: Was Polystyrene a mistake or made by design ?
Post by: Karen W. on 02/04/2008 18:54:36

I don't know but it is quite squishable proof and certainly works well as a protective cushion in most cases!

Title: Was Polystyrene a mistake or made by design ?
Post by: Seany on 02/04/2008 20:53:46

They look like white wotsits!!!

I'm sure you know what wotsits are.. If you don't..

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcontent.answers.com%2Fmain%2Fcontent%2Fwp%2Fen%2F9%2F9d%2FWotsits-ReallyCheesy.jpg&hash=a7917dbd103b34ba66465d081c99b3e3)

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autotrader.co.uk%2FEDITORIAL%2Feditorial_images%2Fnon_imported%2Fwotsit.jpg&hash=d4e87ac8f584a2e9eec61a6e835a619e)

Title: Was Polystyrene a mistake or made by design ?
Post by: Make it Lady on 03/04/2008 17:59:50

Ummmm Cheesity!

I don't know about polystyrene but potty putty was an accident. They were trying to make fake rubber and got that lovely farty stuff instead. I'll find out.

Title: Was Polystyrene a mistake or made by design ?
Post by: Make it Lady on 03/04/2008 18:14:12

Ray McIntire invented Styrofoam for the Dow Chemical Co.. McIntire said his invention of foamed polystyrene was accidental. His invention came as he was trying to find a flexible electrical insulator around the time of World War II. Polystyrene, which already had been invented, was a good insulator but too brittle. McIntire tried to make a new rubber-like polymer by combining styrene with isobutylene, a volatile liquid, under pressure. The result was a foam polystyrene with bubble, 30 times lighter than regular polystyrene. source The Detroit News

Found it!

Title: Was Polystyrene a mistake or made by design ?
Post by: Seany on 03/04/2008 21:00:55

Quote from: Make it  Lady on 03/04/2008 17:59:50

Ummmm Cheesity!

I don't know about polystyrene but potty putty was an accident. They were trying to make fake rubber and got that lovely farty stuff instead. I'll find out.

LOL LOL.. I love them.. You take it out and put it back in. And.. *FAAARRTT*

Title: Was Polystyrene a mistake or made by design ?
Post by: neilep on 03/04/2008 21:08:24

Quote from: Make it  Lady on 03/04/2008 18:14:12

Ray McIntire invented Styrofoam for the Dow Chemical Co.. McIntire said his invention of foamed polystyrene was accidental. His invention came as he was trying to find a flexible electrical insulator around the time of World War II. Polystyrene, which already had been invented, was a good insulator but too brittle. McIntire tried to make a new rubber-like polymer by combining styrene with isobutylene, a volatile liquid, under pressure. The result was a foam polystyrene with bubble, 30 times lighter than regular polystyrene. source The Detroit News

Found it!

Now here's a prime example of this site at work !!

....and it's a girly too !! [:o]

THANK YOU Make It lady !!

Title: Was Polystyrene a mistake or made by design ?
Post by: Seany on 03/04/2008 21:24:10

Now Neil..
What is so surprising about the fact that it was a girl?? [???] [:P]