The growing importance of plastics in the electrical industry

The merits of plastics, strikingly demonstrated during the war, and the expectations attached to their peace-time developments, justify a special paper on their importance as dielectrics to those electrical engineers who, during the last few years of intensive professional activity, have not found time to keep themselves informed on general progress. The history of plastics in relationship to the industry is referred to and an attempt is made to explain, in a simple manner, the fundamental chemical structure of some typical materials, with the intention of stimulating a desire for a deeper knowledge of this young and expanding science. Since the electrical industry could not have reached its present importance in everyday life without these new plastic insulating substances, the chief consideration is given to their particular function of solving new problems, and of improving existing electrical apparatus by taking the place of older materials. The principal plastics are briefly discussed without, however, entering into detailed descriptions of their manufacture or properties. A small section has been devoted to the service which plastics can render the installations engineer.