SYNTHETIC POLYMERS

NATURALLY OCCURRING POLYMERS

This group consists of naturally occurring polymers and chemical modifications of
these polymers. Cellulose, starch, lignin, chitin, and various polysaccharides are included in
this group.These materials and their derivatives offer a wide range of properties and
applications. Natural polymers tend to be readily biodegradable, although the rate of
degradation is generally inversely proportional to the extent of chemical modification.

Naturally occuring polymers
exist in
plants or animals
Natural polymers are made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen
Exa mpl e s of nat ur al l y occ ur i ng pol ymer s ar e
(a)
Protein
: in muscles, skin, silk, hair, wool and fur
(b)
Carbohydrates
: in starch and cellulose
(c)
Natural rubber
: in latex Proteins is formed by the polymerisation or monomers known
as amino acids
polymerisation
amino acids protein
(monomers) (polymer)
Carbohydrates such as starch and cellulose consist of monomers known
as glucose joinedtogether chemically.
polymerisation
glucose carbohydrates
(monomers) (polymer)

Natural rubber found in latex consists of monomers known as isoprene ( 2 methylbuta 1,
3 diene ) joined together chemically.

Natural rubber comprises the molecules of the monomer 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, alsocalled
isopropene, joined together to form a long chain.
SYNTHETIC POLYMERS

Synthetic polymer is a polymer that is manufactured in industry from chemicalsubstances
through the polymerisation process. Through research, scientists are now ableto copy the
structure of natural polymers to produce synthetic polymers.

Plastics, synthetic fibres and elastomers are examples of synthetic polymers.

The
raw materials
for the manufacture of
synthetic polymers
are distillates of
petroleum.

However, most of them can be classified in at least three main categories:
thermoplastics , fibres and elastomers.Thermoplastics


is a polymer which, when subjected to heat, becomes soft so they can be
moulded intovarious shapes. t h e
properties of plastics
are :
light, strong, inert to chemicals
such as acids and alkaliand are
insulators of electricity and heat.
e x a m p l e s o f p l a s t i c s a r e
polyethylene(PE), polyvinylchloride(PVC), polypropylene(PP), polystyrene, Perspex and Bakelite. Synthetic
fibres
ar e l ong c hai ne d pol yme r s t hat wi t hs t and s t r et chi ng. e x a mp l e s o f
s y n t h e t i c f i b r e s a r e
nylon and Terylene.

Nylon
is used to make ropes, fishing lines, stocking, clothing and parachutes.
Terylene
is used to make clothing, sleeping bags and fishing nets. Clothes made fromTerylene do not
crease easily.
Elastomer
is a polymer that can regain its original shape after being stretched
or pressed. b o t h
natural rubber and synthetic rubber
are examples of
elastomer.
exa mpl es of s ynt het i c r ubber s ar e neopr ene and
styrene butadienerubber ( SBR )
S B R i s u s e d t o m a k e
car tyres.

The two types of polymerisation are:

polymerisation by addition .

polymerisation by condensation .

Polymerisation by addition involves monomers with >C = C< bonding, where themonomers
join together to make a long chain without losing any simple molecules fromit. Examples of
polymers produced through this process are polythene, PVC perspex andother plastics.

Polymerisation by condensation involves the elimination of small molecules
like water,methanol, ammonia or hydrogen chloride during the process. Examples of products
of this process are terylene and nylon-66.


SYNTHETIC POLYMER & THEIR USES IN DAILY LIFE
S y n t h e t i c P o
l y m e r U s e s
N e o p r e n e S h o e s o
l e s , h o s e s , r a d i
a t o r h o s e s , w e t
s u i t s Polyvinyl chloride or PVC(
polychloroethene
)Raincoat, pipes, to insulate electric wiresPolyamide (
nylon )
Parachutes, carpet, ropes, form-fitting
skiwear,hosieryP o l y p r o p e n e P l a
s t i c s , b o t t l e s , p l
a s t i c t a b l e s a n d c
h a i r s Teflon (
polytetrafluoroethene or PTFE
) To make non-stick pots and
pansP o l y e s t e r F i l t e r s
, c o n v e y o r b e l t s ,
s l e e p i n g b a g i n s
u l a t i o n Polyethylene terephthalate (
PET, PETE
)Soft drink bottles, peanut butter jars, saladdressing bottlesPolythene (
polyethylene
) P l a s t i c b a g s , c o n t a i
n e r s a n d c u p s Perspex (
polymethyl2-methyl propene
)Aeroplane window panes, lenses, car
lampcoversP o l y s t y r e n e S t y r
o f o a m c u p s , g r o c
e r y s t o r e m e a t t r
a y s , cafeteria trays
Synthetic polymers have been used widely to replace natural materials such as
metals,wood, cotton, animal skin and natural rubber because of the following advantages :

Strong and light

Cheap

Able to resist corrosion

Inert to chemical reactions

Easily moulded or shaped and becoloured