Fundamental information about plastic materials as to their generic characteristics is followed by a discussion of the atomic construction of the principal classes of plastics. Differences in the chemical resistance of polar and nonpolar materials are explained. Physical properties of some of the principal plastics are listed. After a brief history of the origin of the so-called synthetic or artificial plastics, 30 of the principal plastic materials are considered with respect to their atomic composition, resistance to corrosives, techniques for use, and some of the principal uses of each as structural materials.