Most civilizations will discover the chemical process that makes plastics in their TL .5 to .6 phase of development. When they discover the process of molecular binding around TL .8 or .9, the two technologies are usually combined to make a host of light, strong substances called Plasteel. A combination of natural metal atoms and complex artificial molecules, the resulting material is pliable until it sets up and can be formed into almost any shape. Surface vehicles, body armor, even shelters can be made from the stuff that is lighter and stronger than even the toughest ordinary metal alloys. Plasteel has insulating qualities which makes it useful for electronics and thermal applications, but extremely high temperatures will cause it to deform and eventually liquefy. Strongly caustic materials such as acid will have much the same effect, but the material may take a few seconds to react, which, in the case of body armor, will give the wearer a chance to remove the affected armor safely.
Creation and manufacture of plasteel products requires large factories early in its use, but as the technology becomes more common, smaller and smaller facilities are needed to make plasteel products. By a high TL .9, componants up to the size of a human breastplate can be produced in a properly equipped factory the size of a small house. Larger ships frequently have such production facilities on board to manufacture parts and compnants at will.
