One of the most innovative, useful and influential modern creations to come out of New Washington is undoubtedly the family of synthetic polymerization products known as High Density Plastic. High Density Plastic, known primarily as HDPlastic or HDP, is a highly advanced subgrouping of plastics, synthetic polymers that have been in a state of continuous production and research since the 19th Century of the Common Era. All High Density Plastic is noted by the distinction of its remarkable resilience and structural integrity, as well as its versatility of texture, but similarities begin to fall short at that point. HDPlastic has become the catch-all phrase for a very wide range of products, many of which seem to be radically different substances.
The types of High Density Plastic are as follows:
Consumer Plastic: The most “basic” form of HDPlastic is known in commercial circles only as “Consumer Plastic” and was evolved from Polyethylene, one of the most common forms of plastic used in the 20th century. Consumer Plastic (CP, though most citizens merely refer to it as HDPlastic) is used in millions of ways in hundreds of forms, forming the bulk of materials for nearly every product on the market. Without Consumer Plastic, New Washington's export market would be sunk and it would be bereft of most of its technology.
IHDP: Industrial High Density Plastic, referred to by its originators as “Compound #236", is based on the chemical properties of Polyvinyl Chloride, an old substance known as PVC that was pivotal in construction techniques of the late 20th century. IHDP is one of the two most valuable and crucial construction materials used in New Washington, the other being Plasteel. It is, of course, durable, relatively light, flexible and easy to work with. Its real advantage over other types of HDPlastic is its textural versatility; modern techniques make IHDP able to simulate natural materials and textures with astonishing accuracy. Most “wood” in New Washington is made of IHDP.
Plasteel: One of the most remarkable discoveries made in the Age of Corporations, plasteel revolutionized the weapons and building industries. Plasteel is a form of HDP that mimics most of the properties of steel, but has several advantages: it is light, more durable, less brittle, and can be more easily shaped with heat and chemicals than steel. Most modern guns are made exclusively of plasteel. Since the advent of bulletshield technology, New Washington has also seen the proliferation of Plasteel swords.
Flexene: The most flexible form of HDPlastic is one evolved from Polypropylene, a plastic originally invented with the same goal in mind: that of a malleable but durable material. Flexene is used for many modern “living hinge” products, and has obtained enough versatility of shape, form and texture that it has almost completely eclipsed rubber's role in New Washingtonian life.
Polyglass: Based on the plastic known as Polymethyl methacrylate, polyglass has replaced almost all glass in the Age of Corporations. Though glass is not difficult to come by even in the modern world, polyglass outperforms it in nearly every situation and has nearly replaced it. Glass in New Washington is expensive merely because of the lack of demand; importers tend not to carry it. Shatterproof, durable and easy to manage, polyglass is a marked improvement in many facets over the old-fashioned acrylic plastics.
Plextile: This is the blanket term for all plastic-based textiles, which have almost completely replaced natural fibers in the wardrobes of New Washingtonians. Plextiles such as Silx (a smooth, silklike fiber), improved polyester and Plide (synthetic leather) have suffused the market and now are considered the industry standard. Wealthy or prestigious New Washingtonians may seek out natural-fiber clothes out of a sense of propriety or style, but it is very difficult to determine sophisticated Plextiles from their natural analogues.
Please note that HDPlastic is only one of the many advances in the fields of polymers that have been birthed in New Washington. The Dura-Kev corporation's success story is another example of the innovative uses of plastics of which New Washington has been the home.