Synthetic polymers are human-made polymers.

From the utility point of view they can be classified

into four main categories: therms, elastomers and synthetic fibers. They are found commonly in a
variety of consumer products such as money, glue, etc.
A wide variety of synthetic polymers are available with variations in main chain as well as side
chains. The back bones of common synthetic polymers such as polythene, polystyrene and poly
acrylates are made up of carbon-carbon bonds, whereas hetero chain polymers such as polyamides,
polyesters, polyurethanes, polysulfides and polycarbonates have other elements (e.g. oxygen,
sulfur, nitrogen) inserted along the backbone. Also silicon forms similar materials without the need of
carbon atoms, such as silicones through siloxane linkages; these compounds are thus said to
be inorganic polymers. Coordination polymers may contain a range of metals in the backbone, with
non-covalent bonding present.
Some familiar household synthetic polymers include: Nylons in textiles and fabrics, Teflon in non-
stick pans, Bakelite for electrical switches, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in pipes, etc. The common PET
bottles are made of a synthetic polymer, polyethylene terephthalate. The plastic kits and covers are
mostly made of synthetic polymers like polythene and tires are manufactured from Buna
rubbers.[1] However, due to the environmental issues created by these synthetic polymers which are
mostly non-biodegradable and often synthesized from petroleum, alternatives like bioplastics are
also being considered. They are however expensive when compared to the synthetic polymers.

There are two types of polymers: synthetic and natural. Synthetic polymers are derived from
petroleum oil, and made by scientists and engineers. Examples of synthetic polymers include
nylon, polyethylene, polyester, Teflon, and epoxy. Natural polymers occur in nature and can be
extracted. They are often water-based. Examples of naturally occurring polymers are silk, wool,
DNA, cellulose and proteins.

In our previous section on network polymers, we mentioned vulcanized rubber and pectin.
Vulcanized rubber is a synthetic (man-made) polymer, while pectin is an example of a natural
polymer.

Rubber can be found in nature and harvested as a latex (milky liquid) from several types of
trees. Natural rubber coming from tree latex is essentially a polymer made from isoprene units
with a small percentage of impurities in it. Rubber can also be made (synthesized) by man.
Synthetic rubber can be made from the polymerization of a variety of monomers, including
isoprene.

Natural rubber does not handle easily (it's sticky), nor does it have very good properties or
durability (it rots). It is usually vulcanized, a process by which the rubber is heated in the
presence of Sulfur, to improve its resilience, elasticity and durability. Synthetic rubber is
preferable because different monomers can be mixed in various proportions resulting in a wide
range of physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. The monomers can be produced pure
and addition of impurities or additives can be controlled by design to give optimal properties.

Vulcanization, also called curing, is the chemical process used in the rubber industry in which
individual polyisoprene chains are linked to other polyisoprene chains by chemical bonds (see
reaction sequence below). The actual chemical cross-linking is usually done with Sulfur, but
there are other technologies that can also be used. Vulcanization is an irreversible process, like
baking a cake. The normally soft and springy rubber molecules become locked together
resulting in a harder material with greater durability and chemical resistance. Vulcanization
changes the surface of the material from very sticky to a smooth, soft surface which does not
adhere to metal or plastic substrates.