Chemical Products
Although nature provides us with a staggering amount of natural resources, humankind has also made use of a great variety of man-made compounds and substances. The chemical industry converts raw materials such as fossil fuels, water, salt, limestone, and sulfur into primary, secondary, and tertiary products.
Chemical Products Encyclopedia Articles
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detergent
Detergent, any of various surfactants (surface-active agents) particularly effective in dislodging foreign matter from soiled surfaces and retaining it in suspension. The term usually denotes a synthetic...
gasoline
Gasoline, mixture of volatile, flammable liquid hydrocarbons derived from petroleum and used as fuel for internal-combustion engines. It is also used as a solvent for oils and fats. Originally a by-product...
explosive
Explosive, any substance or device that can be made to produce a volume of rapidly expanding gas in an extremely brief period. There are three fundamental types: mechanical, nuclear, and chemical. A mechanical...
paint
Paint, decorative and protective coating commonly applied to rigid surfaces as a liquid consisting of a pigment suspended in a vehicle, or binder. The vehicle, usually a resin dissolved in a solvent, dries...
plastic
Plastic, polymeric material that has the capability of being molded or shaped, usually by the application of heat and pressure. This property of plasticity, often found in combination with other special...
bleach
Bleach, solid or liquid chemical used to whiten or remove the natural colour of fibres, yarns, other textiles, and paper. In textile finishing, the bleaching process is used to produce white cloth, to...