Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 2 views

    Introduction to Plastics,

    Uploaded by

    Salem Garrab
    introduction to polymer

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Introduction to Plastics,

    Uploaded by

    Salem Garrab
    2 views5 pages
    introduction to polymer

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    introduction to polymer

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    2 views5 pages

    Introduction to Plastics,

    Uploaded by

    Salem Garrab
    introduction to polymer

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    You are on page 1of 5

    Plastics, or polymers: lots of repeat units, or “mers” strung together

    Simplest polymer: H H H H

    C C … Polyethylene
    … C C

    H H H H

    General characteristics of polymers:


    1. Polymers can be very resistant to chemicals
    2. Polymers are good thermal and electrical insulators [exception: conductive
    polymers]
    3. Polymers are lightweight with varying degrees of strength
    4. Polymers are easily processable to produce thin fibers or intricate parts

    Distinguishing material type at room temperature:


    • Crystalline solid
    • Amorphous rubber
    • Amorphous glass
    The history of plastics: [American Plastics Council: www.americanplasticscouncil.org]

    “Plastics: one of the greatest innovations of the millennium”


    Newsweek, Winter 1997-98.
    “Landmarks”:
    1. MUSIC – the long playing record
    2. NO STICK – Teflon
    3. STRE-E-E-TCH – Spandex

    Other notables:
    • Kevlar, “the stronger-than-steel polymer” by DuPont; 1965
    • The discovery of conductive polymer; 1976
    • Chemically amplified photoresists; 1989
    • First polymer LED; 1990
    Plastics production statistics, 2004:
    [American Plastics Council: www.americanplasticscouncil.org]

    Plastic Annual Production Common Uses RIC


    (M lbs)
    Polyethylene – 8,295 Dry cleaning packaging, frozen food and
    LDPE bread packaging, squeezable bottles

    Polyethylene – 12,434 Films, disposable food packaging


    LLDPE
    Polyethylene – 17,548 Garbage and retail bags, gallon milk and
    HDPE juice containers, shampoo containers

    Polypropylene 18,552 Medicine bottles, margarine tubs, battery


    cables and casing, ice scrapers

    Polyvinylchloride 15,985 Clear food and non-food packaging, pipes,


    traffic cones

    Polystyrene 6,750 Compact disc and cassette jackets,


    disposable foam cups and plates

    Polyethylene 8,263 Soda and beer bottles, fleece wear, luggage,


    terephthalate clothing

    Nylon 1,340 Carpet fibers, clothes, machine parts (gears, none


    housing)

    TOTAL 89,167
    Chemical structures and physical properties of major commercial plastics:

    Plastic Chemical Structure Material Type Physical properties


    at RT

    Polyethylene Crystalline; Strong; tough; excellent


    (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE) Tm 110-140oC; resistance to chemicals; easily
    Tg -120oC melt processable
    Polypropylene Crystalline; Strong; tough; resistance to heat;
    Tm 140-165oC; barrier to moisture and chemicals
    Tg -20oC
    Polyvinylchloride Amorphous Clear; easily blendable; excellent
    rubber; resistance to oil and grease
    Cl
    Tg -70oC
    Polystyrene Amorphous Clear; easily melt and foam
    glass; processable
    Tg 100oC

    Polyesters Crystalline; Clear; strong; tough; good barrier


    (Polyethylene O Tm 225oC to gases and moisture
    O
    terephthalate) O O

    Polyamides H Crystalline; Strong; resistance to heat and


    (Nylon) N Tm 230oC chemicals; easily spun into fibers
    O
    Chemical structures and common uses of other plastics:

    Plastic Chemical Material Type at Common Uses


    Structure RT

    Polydienes X
    Amorphous Impact modifier for glassy
    (Polybutadiene, x = H; rubber; polymers; when crosslinked,
    Polyisoprene, x = CH3) Tg -70oC tires, gaskets, hoses
    Polymethyl- Amorphous Optical fibers; home furnishings;
    methacrylate glass; lenses (Plexiglas)
    O O Tg 105oC

    Polyvinylalcohol Amorphous Water-soluble, so additives for


    glass; milk shakes; thickening agents
    OH
    Tg 80oC
    Polytetrafluoro- F F Crystalline; Insulation; gasket; heat and
    ethylene Tm 370oC, chemical resistive piping;
    Tg 125oC cookware (Teflon)
    F F

    H
    Polyurethanes Crosslinked Thermoset; coatings; bowling
    O N
    solid; balls; foam insulation
    O Tg -50oC

    Silicones O
    Amorphous Catheters; caulk
    Si rubber;
    Tg -130oC

    You might also like