Omar Khalid
Plastics are a group of materials that can be shaped when soft and then hardened to retain their shape. They are a type of polymer, which is a substance made of many repeating units. The word polymer comes from the Greek words poly, meaning many, and meros, meaning parts or units. Polymerization is the process of creating synthetic polymers by combining small monomer molecules into chains held together by covalent bonds. These chains can be arranged in various ways, such as linear or branched configurations. Synthetic polymers, including plastics, have become widely used and the plastics industry is one of the fastest-growing industries globally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Polymer is a substance made of many repeating units. |
| Plastic Definition | Plastics are a group of materials, either synthetic or naturally occurring, that may be shaped when soft and then hardened to retain the given shape. |
| Plastic is a type of | Polymer |
| Polymer is commonly used in | Plastics and composites industry |
| Polymer is a | Chemical compound |
| Polymer is made of | Many smaller molecules |
| Polymer can be | Man-made or naturally occurring |
| Natural Polymers | Rubber, cellulose, and latex |
| Synthetic Polymers | Bakelite, polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride |
| Polymerization | The process of creating synthetic polymers by combining small monomer molecules into chains held together by covalent bonds |
| Polymerization Types | Step-growth, chain-growth, addition, condensation |
| Polymer Properties | Reflectivity, impact resistance, brittleness, translucence, ductility, elasticity |
| Plastic Properties | Can be bent into new shapes by applying heat, recyclable |
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What You'll Learn
Plastics are polymers
Plastics are a group of materials that can be shaped when soft and then hardened to retain the given shape. They can be synthetic or naturally occurring. Synthetic polymers in the form of plastics are now widely used, and the plastics industry is one of the fastest-growing industries globally. Plastics are a type of polymer that can be bent into new shapes by applying heat and can also be recycled. For example, plastic soda bottles can be melted down and reused to make new products.
Polymers have unique properties that can be tailored for different uses. For example, polymers can exhibit reflectivity, impact resistance, brittleness, translucence, ductility, or elasticity. These properties depend on the structure of the polymer chain. If the polymer chain has stretchy characteristics, the polymer will have flexible properties. If the polymer chain has tightly twisted bonds that are difficult to break, the polymer will be strong and tough.
Natural polymers, such as cellulose and latex, have been chemically modified to form new materials such as celluloid and vulcanized rubber. The first totally synthetic polymer, Bakelite, was produced in 1907. Synthetic polymers are now mass-produced and widely used in various products, including common household goods, clothing, toys, construction materials, and insulation.
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Polymerisation
There are two main classes of polymerization: condensation polymerization and addition polymerization. In condensation polymerization, each step of the process is accompanied by the formation of a molecule of a simple compound, often water. In addition polymerization, monomers react to form a polymer without the formation of by-products. Monomers can be chemically joined together in two ways: through addition polymerization or condensation polymerization.
In addition polymerization, monomers are added together with their structure unchanged. Alkenes, which are relatively stable due to σ bonding between carbon atoms, form polymers through relatively simple radical reactions. The chain-terminating group can be a hydrogen atom (H) or any non-reactive hydrocarbon moiety. On the other hand, condensation polymerization results in a polymer that is less massive than the two or more monomers that form it because not all of the original monomer is incorporated into the polymer. Water is one of the common molecules chemically eliminated during condensation polymerization.
Polymerization can also be classified based on the manner in which it is conducted. Methods include emulsion polymerization, solution polymerization, suspension polymerization, and precipitation polymerization. Photopolymerization is another method, in which polymerization only occurs in regions exposed to light. This process is used in some forms of 3D printing and photography.
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Thermoplastics
A thermoplastic, or thermosoftening plastic, is any plastic polymer material that becomes pliable or moldable at a certain elevated temperature and solidifies upon cooling. Thermoplastics have a simple molecular structure comprising chemically independent macromolecules. They are softened or melted when heated and then shaped, formed, or welded and solidified when cooled. This process can be repeated multiple times, allowing for reprocessing and mechanical recyclability.
Polycarbonate (PC) thermoplastics are easily worked, molded, and thermoformed for various applications, including electronic components, construction materials, automotive and aircraft parts, and security glazing. Polyether sulfone (PES) or polysulfone is a class of specially engineered thermoplastics with high thermal, oxidative, and hydrolytic stability. They also exhibit good resistance to aqueous mineral acids, alkalis, salt solutions, oils, and greases. Polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as acetal, polyacetal, and polyformaldehyde, is an engineering thermoplastic used in precision parts requiring high stiffness, low friction, and excellent dimensional stability. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a colourless organic thermoplastic polymer used in engineering applications, offering good abrasion resistance and low flammability.
Polybenzimidazole (PBI) fiber is a synthetic fiber with a very high melting point and exceptional thermal and chemical stability. It is used to fabricate high-performance protective apparel such as firefighters' gear, astronauts' spacesuits, high-temperature protective gloves, welders' apparel, and aircraft wall fabrics. Polylactic acid (polylactide) is a compostable thermoplastic derived from renewable resources such as corn starch, sugar beet pulp, or sugarcane. It is commonly used in 3D printing with fused deposition modeling techniques. The use of thermoplastics in 3D printing has opened up new possibilities for medical device companies and hospitals, allowing for more economical and customized implants.
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Synthetic polymers
Polymer is indeed another word for plastic, and plastics are a group of materials that can be shaped when soft and then hardened to retain a given shape. Plastics are polymers, and polymers are substances made of many repeating units. The word polymer comes from two Greek words: "poly", meaning many, and "meros", meaning parts or units. A polymer can be thought of as a chain in which each link is a "mer" or monomer (a single unit).
The first totally synthetic polymer, Bakelite, was produced in 1907. However, it was not until World War II, when natural sources of latex, wool, silk, and other materials became difficult to obtain, that synthetics were mass-produced. Synthetic rubber was needed for tires, and nylon was needed as a replacement for silk in parachutes.
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Natural polymers
Polymer is indeed another word for plastic. Plastics are a group of materials that can be shaped when soft and then hardened to retain a given shape. They are polymers, which are substances made of many repeating units. The word polymer comes from the Greek words "poly", meaning many, and "meros", meaning parts or units.
There are two types of polymers: natural and synthetic. Natural polymers, as the name suggests, occur in nature and can be extracted from natural resources such as plants and other materials. Natural polymers have been formed from condensation polymers, with water as a by-product.
- Cellulose: This is one of the most abundant organic compounds on Earth, and cotton is its purest form. It is a polysaccharide, or sugar polymer, and is composed of D-anhydro-glucose (C6H11O5) repeating units joined by β-1,4-glycosidic linkages.
- Chitin: This is found in the exoskeletons of arthropods, such as insects and crustaceans, and in the cell walls of fungi.
- Starch: Starch is a derivative of condensation polymerization and consists of glucose monomers. It is found in grains, cereals, and potatoes.
- Proteins: Proteins are polyamides that occur naturally and are composed of an amide group present in the backbone chain of the human body. Examples include collagen, which forms the connective tissue in human skin, and enzymes, which facilitate various chemical reactions in the body.
- Rubber: Natural rubber is made of hydrogen and carbon and is harvested from the latex of tropical plants.
- DNA and RNA: These polymers are essential in the life processes of all living organisms.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, polymer is often used as a synonym for plastic. However, polymers include a range of materials with a variety of properties.
Polymers are chemical compounds consisting of large molecules made from many smaller molecules. They are made up of many repeating units, like a chain.
Polymers can be natural or man-made. Natural polymers include rubber, cellulose, and latex. Synthetic polymers include polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride.
Polymers have unique properties due to their structure. For example, polymers can be reflective, impact-resistant, brittle, ductile, or elastic. These properties make polymers useful for a wide range of applications, such as reflective film, car bumpers, luggage, paint primers, and insulation.
