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Synthetic Polymers and their Uses

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Introduction to synthetic polymers and their uses Uses of some General Synthetic Polymers with their Names and Monomer Units are as FollowsExample of Synthetic Polymers and their Uses(bakelite - a Thermosetting Plastic.) Conclusion of Synthetic Polymers and their Uses

Introduction to synthetic polymers and their uses

Synthetic Polymers are defined as manmade polymers or plastics. First human made plastic was invented by Alexander Parks in 1855. It was then called Parke sine (later on Celluloid). Polymers are made of small repeating structural units called monomers. Polyethylene is the simplest polymer, which consists of ethene (ethylene) as monomer units and the corresponding linear polymer is called high density polyethylene (HDPE).Many polymeric materials having chain-like structures similar to polyethylene are known. Synthetic polymers are often referred to as "plastics", well-known are polyethylene and nylon. Polymers formed by a straightforward linking together of monomer units, with no loss or gain of material, are called addition polymers or chain-growth polymers. All of these are synthetic polymers.

Uses of some General Synthetic Polymers with their Names and Monomer Units are as Follows:Back to Top

Name(s) Polyethylene low density (LDPE) Polyethylene high density (HDPE) Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) Poly(vinylidene chloride) (Saran A)

Formula (CH2-CH2)n (CH2-CH2)n (CH2-CHCl)n (CH2-CCl2)n

Monomer ethylene CH2=CH2 ethylene CH2=CH2 vinyl chloride CH2=CHCl

Uses Used in film wrap, plastic bags Used in electrical insulation bottles, toys Used in pipes, siding, flooring.etc.

vinylidene chloride Used in seat covers, CH2=CCl2 films etc.

Polystyrene (PS) Polyacrylonitrile (PAN, Orlon, Acrilan)

Used in toys, cabinets packaging etc. Used in rugs, blankets clothing etc. Used in non-stick Polytetrafluoroethylene tetrafluoroethylene (CF2-CF2)n surfaces, electrical (PTFE, Teflon) CF2=CF2 insulation Poly(vinyl acetate) (CH2vinyl acetate Used in latex paints, (PVAc) CHOCOCH3)n CH2=CHOCOCH3 adhesives etc. Requires vulcanization [CH2isoprene cis-Polyisoprene for practical use and CH=C(CH3)CH2=CHnatural rubber vulcanized rubber is CH2]n C(CH3)=CH2 used in tyres etc. It is a synthetic rubber Polychloroprene (cis + [CH2-CH=CCl- chloroprene and is trans) CH2]n CH2=CH-CCl=CH2 oil resistant so used in (Neoprene) mats etc.
synthetic polymers and their uses table

[CH2CH(C6H5)]n

styrene CH2=CHC6H5 acrylonitrile (CH2-CHCN)n CH2=CHCN

Example of Synthetic Polymers and their Uses(bakelite :- a Thermosetting Plastic.)

Another important Synthetic polymer is Bakelite which is Phenol- Formaldehyde Resin. It is a thermosetting plastic. It is believed to be first true plastic. It can be melted and remolded again. It is cheap, durable and strong. It is very temperature resistant and so used in making cases for radios, telephones and clocks and also billiard balls. The most common grades of industrial phenolics are Canvas, Linen and Paper.

Conclusion of Synthetic Polymers and their Uses

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Thus Synthetic polymers are useful to human being in every aspect of life. Almost all the substances we use for our convenience are made of synthetic polymers.