Plastics and polymers have made a cosiderable impact on leisure activities with applications ranging from all-weather artificial surfaces for athletic tracks, football pitches and tennis courts to nylon strings for racquets and items like golf balls and foballs made entirely from synthetic materials.Likewise the chemical industry's contribution to transport over the years has led to major improvements. Thus development of improved additives like anti-oxidants and viscosity index improvers for engine oil has enabled routine servicing intervals to increase from 3000 to 6000 to 12000 miles. Research and development work has also resulted in improved lubricating oils and greases, and better brake fluids. Yet again the contribution of polymers and plastics has been very striking with the proportion of the total automobile derived from these materials -dashboard,steering wheel, seat padding and covering etec. 一now exceeding 40%.