SCIENCE FORM 5

CHAPTER 7: SYNTHETIC
MATERIALS IN INDUSTRY

7.1 SYNTHETIC POLYMERS

Synthetic polymers are man-made

polymers.
Synthetic polymers are produced
through polymerisation.

Depolymerisation

Polymerisation

7.1 SYNTHETIC POLYMERS

7.1 SYNTHETIC POLYMERS

Synthetic rubber is an example of

synthetic polymer.

7.1 SYNTHETIC POLYMERS

Type of synthetic
rubber

Characteristics

Uses

Neoprene

Can withstand heat

Not easily flammable
Chemical, oil and water
resistant

Wetsuits, electrical
insulations, rubber hose
of the Bunsen burner

Styrene-butadiene

Has the same

characteristics as natural
rubber
Can be vulcanised easily

Soles of shoes and tyres

Butyl rubber

Air retention
Weather and ozone
resistant
Vibration dampening
Stable

Tyre inner tubes,

pharmaceutical stoppers

Thiokol

Resistant to petroleum,
hydrocarbons, alcohols
and water

Petrol hose, tank linings

used to store petrol or
solvents

7.1 SYNTHETIC POLYMERS

Wetsuit made from

neoprene

Tyre made from styrenebutadiene

7.1 SYNTHETIC POLYMERS

Tyre inner tubes made

from butyl rubber

Petrol hose made from

thiokol

7.2 PLASTICS

Plastics are synthetic polymers that can

be easily moulded by heat or pressure.
Plastics are mainly made up of carbon
and hydrogen. Other elements such as
oxygen, fluorine and chlorine are also
found in plastics.

7.2 PLASTICS
Type of plastic

Use

Polyethene

Plastic bags, toys, sling film

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Pipes, electrical wire insulators, furnitures,

credit cards

Polystyrene

Disposable cups and plates, packaging

material

Polypropene

Bottles, ropes, carpets

Perspex

Substitute for glass

Nylon

Stockings, clothing, ropes, fishing lines and

toothbrush bristles

Teflon

Coating for non-stick pans

Bakelite

Kitchenware and electrical products

Epoxy polymer

Adhesives

Terylene (Polyester)

Clothing, sails of a boat, safety belts

Melamine

Bowls, plates

7.2 PLASTICS

Plastic bags made from

polyethene

Pipes made from PVC

7.2 PLASTICS

Disposable cups made

from polystyrene

Bottle made from

polypropene

7.2 PLASTICS

Perspex as substitute for

glass

Toothbrush bristles
made from nylon

7.2 PLASTICS

Kitchenware made from

bakelite

Adhesives made from

epoxy polymer

7.2 PLASTICS

Clothing made from

terylene

Bowls made from

melamine

7.2 PLASTICS
Plastics
Thermoplastics
Thermosets
Can Examples:
be heated, melted and

7.2 PLASTICS

Polymer chains in thermoplastics and thermosets

7.2 PLASTICS
Characteristics

Thermoplastics

Thermosets

Melting point

Low

High

Can be remoulded

Yes

No

Has cross links between

polymer chains

No

Yes

Softer

Harder

Low

High

Hardness
Heat resistance

7.2 PLASTICS

7.2 PLASTICS

7.2 PLASTICS

Biodegradable plastic

7.3 PRACTISING RESPONSIBLE ATTITUDES IN THE

DISPOSAL OF SYNTHETIC POLYMERS

Proper disposal of synthetic polymers

is needed to maintain a clean
environment.
The proper disposal of synthetic
polymers such as plastics will prevent
flash floods, air and water pollution.

7.3 PRACTISING RESPONSIBLE ATTITUDES IN THE

DISPOSAL OF SYNTHETIC POLYMERS

7.3 PRACTISING RESPONSIBLE ATTITUDES IN THE

DISPOSAL OF SYNTHETIC POLYMERS

CHAPTER 7: SYNTHETIC MATERIALS IN INDUSTRY

QUIZ

1. Which type of substance is a synthetic

polymer?
A. Protein
B. Cellulose
C. Perspex
D. Isoprene

CHAPTER 7: SYNTHETIC MATERIALS IN INDUSTRY

QUIZ

2. Diagram below shows the a process in

the production of a synthetic material.
Neoprene
Process P

Polyneoprene

CHAPTER 7: SYNTHETIC MATERIALS IN INDUSTRY

QUIZ

What is process P?
A. Vulcanisation
B. Polymerisation
C. Coagulation
D. Depolymerisation

CHAPTER 7: SYNTHETIC MATERIALS IN INDUSTRY

QUIZ

3. Which of the following pairs of monomer

and polymer is correctly matched?
Monomer

Polymer

A. Protein

Amino acid

B. Isoprene

Natural rubber

C. Polyethene

Ethene

D. Carbohydrate

Glucose

CHAPTER 7: SYNTHETIC MATERIALS IN INDUSTRY

QUIZ

4. The following information shows the

process of forming methyl methacrylate
from perspex.
Heat
Perspex

Methly methacrylate

What is the process?

A. Distillation
B. Vulcanisation
C. Sublimation
D. Depolymerisation

CHAPTER 7: SYNTHETIC MATERIALS IN INDUSTRY

QUIZ

5. Which polymer can be used to replace

glass in an industry?
A. Bakelite
B. Perspex
C. Thiokol
D. Neoprene

CHAPTER 7: SYNTHETIC MATERIALS IN INDUSTRY

QUIZ

6. What is the characteristics of natural

rubber?
A. Strong
B. Elastic
C. Heat resistant
D. Electrical conductor

CHAPTER 7: SYNTHETIC MATERIALS IN INDUSTRY

QUIZ

7. What is the best method to avoid pollution

from used plastic wrappers?
A. Burn the plastic in an open area
B. Throw the plastic into the river
C. Throw the plastic into the jungle
D. Use biodegradable plastic

CHAPTER 7: SYNTHETIC MATERIALS IN INDUSTRY

QUIZ

8. Which statement is correct about the

characteristic of thermoset plastic?
A. Easy to bend
B. Low melting point
C. Cannot be remoulded
D. Not resistant to organic solvents

CHAPTER 7: SYNTHETIC MATERIALS IN INDUSTRY

QUIZ

9. Which plastic is the thermosetting

plastic?
A. Nylon
B. Melamine
C. Polystyrene
D. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

CHAPTER 7: SYNTHETIC MATERIALS IN INDUSTRY

QUIZ

10. Which method is suitable to dispose

synthetic polymers to preserve the
environment?
A. Burn in open area
B. Burn in an incinerator
C. Throw into the river
D. Throw into the jungle