Bakelite facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bakelite |
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| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
Bakelite is a very early type of plastic. It was one of the first plastics that became hard when heated and could not be melted again. This kind of plastic is called a thermosetting plastic. Bakelite was created in 1907 by a Belgian scientist named Leo Baekeland.
Bakelite became popular because it was good at stopping electricity from passing through it (it was a nonconductor) and it could handle heat very well.
Contents
What is Bakelite?
Bakelite is a special kind of plastic known as a thermoset. This means that once it's heated and shaped, it becomes permanently hard. You can't melt it down and reshape it again, unlike many other plastics. It was made from two simple chemicals: phenol and formaldehyde.
Who Invented Bakelite?
Bakelite was invented by a chemist named Leo Baekeland. He was from Belgium but did his work in the United States. In 1907, he found a way to combine phenol and formaldehyde to create this new, useful material. His invention changed the world of materials forever!
What Was Bakelite Used For?
Bakelite was very useful because it didn't conduct electricity and could withstand heat. This made it perfect for many things, such as:
- Parts for electrical insulators
- Casings for early radios and telephones
- Handles for kitchenware
- Stylish jewelry
- Stems for smoking pipes
- Even children's toys!
Its strong and durable nature made it a popular choice for many products in the early 20th century.
Images for kids
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A combustion engine's spark distributor rotor made of Bakelite
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Ericsson Bakelite telephone, around 1931
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Bakelite letter opener from around 1920
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A Bakelite radio at the Bakelite museum
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An old light switch made of Bakelite
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A Bakelite domino
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See also
In Spanish: Baquelita para niños
