Alexei Volkov
Plastics and polymers are used for a variety of purposes and are encountered in everyday life. Polymers are chemical compounds in which molecules are bonded together in long, repeating chains. Plastics are a specific type of synthetic polymer with a large molecular mass and a mostly linear structure. They are made from molecules derived from oil, petroleum, or bio-based sources, which are combined to create different polymers. All plastics are polymers, but not all polymers are plastics.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic is a specific type of synthetic polymer
Polymers are chemical compounds composed of long chains of identical molecules, known as monomers, bonded together. They can be natural or synthetic. Natural polymers include proteins, DNA, silk, wool, and cellulose, and have been used by humans for centuries. Synthetic polymers, on the other hand, are derived from oil, petroleum, or bio-based sources. They include materials such as nylon, polyethylene, polyester, Teflon, and epoxy.
Plastics are a specific type of synthetic or semi-synthetic polymer. They are made from molecules derived from oil, petroleum, or bio-based sources, which are combined to create different polymers. Plastics are known for their ability to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into solid objects of various shapes. The first synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was created in 1909 for telephone and electrical components.
Plastics are a subset of polymers, meaning all plastics are polymers, but not all polymers are plastics. Plastics are specifically polymers with large molecular masses and mostly linear structures. They resemble spaghetti, with long chains of identical molecules.
The versatility and low production costs of synthetic polymers have made them an integral part of the global economy. Between 1950 and 2015, 8.3 billion tons of plastic were produced, equivalent to more than 1,000 kilos per person of the world's present population. However, the environmental impact of plastics and synthetic polymers is a significant concern. Their production is largely dependent on petrochemical products, contributing to rising global temperatures. Additionally, many plastic polymers do not break down easily, leading to issues with recycling and disposal.
To address these concerns, efforts are being made to develop environmentally friendly polymers using biocomposites. These biodegradable polymers, made from materials such as wood and non-wood fibres, are expected to become more widespread in medicine, industry, and agriculture. Initiatives like The Ocean Cleanup® aim to remove plastic waste from marine ecosystems, targeting a 90% reduction in floating ocean plastic.
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Polymers are made of smaller, uniform molecules
Polymers are chemical compounds composed of lengthy chains of identical, uniform molecules known as monomers. These monomers are small molecules that can be bonded to other identical molecules. The resulting polymer is a large molecule made up of a massive amount of smaller, uniform molecules. This structure is what gives polymers their unique properties.
The repeating units in polymers are often carbon and hydrogen, and sometimes oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, chlorine, fluorine, phosphorus, and silicon. These molecules are combined chemically to form a larger network of connected molecules. The term "polymer" comes from the Greek prefix "poly-", meaning "many", and the suffix "-mer", meaning "parts".
Naturally occurring polymers include silk, wool, DNA, cellulose, and proteins. Synthetic polymers, on the other hand, are created from oil, petroleum, or bio-based sources. Examples of synthetic polymers include nylon, polyethylene, polyester, Teflon, and epoxy.
Plastics are a specific type of polymer. They are made from molecules derived from oil, petroleum, or bio-based sources, which are combined to create different polymers. Plastics are known for their ability to be molded, extruded, or pressed into solid objects of various shapes. However, they pose recycling and disposal challenges due to their durability and resistance to breakdown.
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Plastics are mouldable, extrudable and pressable
Plastics are a specific type of synthetic polymer with a large molecular mass and a mostly linear structure. They are mouldable, extrudable, and pressable, which makes them extremely versatile.
Plastic can be moulded into a wide variety of shapes, from shopping bags to cling film, laboratory equipment, automotive parts, and medical devices. This is achieved through plastic injection moulding, where plastic material is fed into the barrel of the extruder and gradually melted by mechanical energy and heaters. The molten polymer is then forced into a die, which shapes the polymer into the desired form. This process can be repeated to recycle and reuse the plastic.
Plastic extrusion is another important process, where plastic is forced through a die to create a continuous profile. This can be used to create a wide range of products, such as seals, trims, and cushioning strips, electrical insulators, and pipes. The plastic can be softened with plasticisers to make it more flexible for applications like seals.
The ability to press plastic into solid objects of various shapes is also key to its versatility. For example, plastic can be pressed into sheets or films for use in food containers, protective headgear, or refrigeration devices.
Plastics' unique processability, including their mouldability, extrudability, and pressability, has led to their widespread use in everyday household items, medicine, automobiles, and construction.
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Polymers can be natural or synthetic
Polymers are chemical compounds composed of molecules bonded together in long, repeating chains. They are found in numerous places and come in two types: natural and synthetic. Natural polymers occur in nature and can be extracted. They are often water-based and include substances like silk, wool, DNA, cellulose, and proteins. For example, natural rubber is harvested as latex from several types of trees. Natural rubber is essentially a polymer made from isoprene units with a small percentage of impurities. However, it is sticky, difficult to handle, and lacks durability.
Synthetic polymers, on the other hand, are derived from petroleum oil and are engineered by scientists and engineers. They include nylon, polyethylene, polyester, Teflon, and epoxy. Synthetic polymers offer advantages over natural ones as they can be engineered to maximize specific properties. For instance, synthetic rubber is preferable to natural rubber as it is less sticky and has a wider range of physical, mechanical, and chemical properties due to the ability to mix different monomers in various proportions. Synthetic polymers have also become an integral part of the global economy due to their low production costs and versatility.
Plastics are a specific type of synthetic or semi-synthetic polymer with a large molecular mass and a mostly linear structure. The first synthetic plastic was created in 1909 for telephone and electrical components and was known as Bakelite. Plastics are known for their ability to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into solid objects of various shapes. However, they pose recycling and disposal issues as they do not break down easily.
The distinction between natural and synthetic polymers is important in manufacturing to effectively utilize their properties. For example, synthetic polymers are commonly used in everyday tools and appliances, while natural polymers play a critical role in biomedical applications such as organ 3D printing and wound healing.
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Plastics are recyclable and reusable
The terms "polymer" and "plastic" are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Polymers are chemical compounds in which molecules are bonded together in long, repeating chains. Plastics, on the other hand, are a specific type of synthetic or semi-synthetic polymer. They are made from molecules derived from natural gas, oil, coal, or bio-based sources, which are combined to create different polymers. Plastics are known for their ability to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into solid objects of various shapes.
Plastics are a significant part of our daily lives, with many household items made from them. However, the rise in single-use plastics and plastic waste has led to growing environmental concerns. Recycling and reusing plastics are essential to curb these issues. In principle, almost all plastics can be recycled, but in practice, there are barriers that hinder the process. For instance, items made from multiple types of plastic with different layers can be challenging and costly to separate for recycling.
Despite these challenges, recycling is still possible, and recycled plastics can be transformed into new products. The majority of recycled plastic comes from post-consumer sources, such as milk jugs, bottles, and packaging films. These materials are processed and reused to create new items like shampoo bottles, cosmetic caps, and packaging films. PET (polyethylene terephthalate), one of the most widely recycled plastics, is often recycled into fashion items like polar fleece clothing, backpacks, and carpets.
Another innovative use of recycled PET is in construction, particularly in third-world countries. Plastic bottles are filled with sand, stacked, and cemented together to form walls for houses. HDPE (high-density polyethylene), another commonly recycled plastic, is accepted at most recycling centres worldwide. It is used to create products like detergent bottles, motor oil containers, and household cleaners.
While recycling is crucial, the reduce-reuse-recycle approach is even more effective in addressing plastic waste. Reusing plastic items multiple times before recycling them can significantly reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste. Additionally, ongoing innovations in polymer and plastic technology focus on developing biodegradable and environmentally friendly alternatives, such as bio-based polymers. These advancements will play a vital role in mitigating the planet's plastic waste problem.
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Frequently asked questions
Polymers are chemical compounds made up of molecules bonded together in long, repeating chains. They can be either natural or synthetic. Examples of natural polymers include silk, wool, DNA, cellulose, and proteins. Synthetic polymers include nylon, polyethylene, polyester, Teflon, and epoxy.
Plastic is a specific type of synthetic or semi-synthetic polymer with a large molecular mass and a mostly linear structure. Plastics are typically made from oil or petroleum and are known for their ability to be molded, extruded, or pressed into solid objects of various shapes.
The key difference is that plastics are a specific type of polymer. Plastics are made up of long chains of polymers, while polymers are composed of smaller, uniform molecules.
