Synthetic Polymers: To

Live With or Without?

1. What Are Polymers?

A molecule of large molar mass consisting
of a large number of similar repeating and
bonded units called monomers.
Polyethylene is the
simplest polymer
It consists of ethylene
as monomer units

Fig. 1: The Formation of a

Polyethylene Chain from Ethylene
mer (monomer) units

2. Synthetic and Natural

Polymers
Synthetic polymers
are derived from
petroleum oil and are
manmade.
Ex: Nylon, Polyethylene,
Polyester, and Teflon.

Fig. 2: Teflon monomer atop its most

common consumer use as non-stick

Natural polymers
occur in nature and
can be extracted.
Ex: Silk, Wool, DNA,
Cellulose and Proteins.

Fig. 3: A molecular representation

of the cellulose polymer
constructed from repeating
glucose sub units

3. Types of Synthetic
Polymers
Fig. 4: A
Elastomers:
Polymers with elastic properties.
Ex: Neoprene, Viton, Rubber

Thermoplastics:
Polymers that turn to liquid when heated
and turn solid when cooled sufficiently.
Ex: Polyethylene, Polystyrene, Nylon

Thermosets:
Pre-polymer in a soft solid or viscous
state that changes irreversibly into an
infusible, insoluble polymer network by
curing.
Ex: Bakelight, Duroplast, Vulcanized Rubber

stretched and a
non-stretched
synthetic
elastomer
polymer. When
the stress is
removed, the
first will revert
back to the
configuration of
the second.

4. Elastomer Applications
Rubber is the most important of all elastomers.
In 1823, Charles Goodyear succeeded in
"vulcanizing" natural rubber by heating it with
sulfur. In this process, sulfur chain fragments attack
the rubber polymer chains and lead to cross-linking
(bonds between adjacent polymer chains).
The term vulcanization is often
used now to describe the crosslinking of all elastomers.
However even with vulcanization,
natural rubber for use in
automobiles wasnt the greatest
solution to a soon to become
widespread problem.

Fig. 5: A Ford Model T with Goodyears tires.

5. Elastomer Applications
Nowadays, most commercially used rubber is a
synthetic elastomer called styrene-butadiene rubber.
After failing to produce a physically superior rubber from
isoprene, the natural rubber monomer, researchers found
success using butadiene and styrene with sodium metal as
the catalyzer.
The result was a stronger and more resilient rubber that did
not rot.
Synthetic rubbers can also be made with a variety of
different monomers, in different concentrations, to produce
very specific/ desired properties.
The United States consumes on the order of a million tons of
synthetic rubber each year versus the hundreds of thousands of
tons produced during WWII by all involved nations.

6. Thermoplastics
Applications
Thermoplastics account for most of
commercial plastic usage. The most versatile
and widely used thermoplastic polymer being
polyethylene.
Polyethylene is versatile because its structure can
allows it to be produced in many different forms.
LDPE-(Low Density Polyethylene)
Polymer chain with large degree of branching; molecules are
packed loosely
Ex: Plastic bags, Containers, Electrical Insulation, Textiles.

HDPE-(High Density Polyethylene)

Polymer chain with little degree of branching; molecules are
packed tightly. Used where rigidity is important
Ex: Plastic Tubing (PVC), Bottles (PET), Bottle caps.

7. Thermosets Applications
Thermoset materials are often stronger than
thermoplastic materials because of three
dimensional crosslinking:
They are also better suited to high temperature
applications up to a decomposition temperature.
However, thermoset polymers are difficult to recycle
and can be brittle.

Polyester fiberglass systems are classified as

thermoset polymers and have endless
applications.
Ex: Surfboards, Kayaks, Gliders, Bicycles, Automobile
Bodies, Wind Turbine Blades, etc.

8. Thermosets Applications
There are a wide variety of molding
methods for thermoset polymers:
Injection Molding: used to create objects as
large as swimming pools to objects as small as
car keys.
Extrusion Molding: used for making pipes,
threads of fabric, or electrical cable insulation.
Compression Molding: used to shape most
thermosetting plastics.
Spin Casting: used for producing fishing lures
and other fishing equipment.

9. A Day in the Life of a Synthetic

Polymer Consumer
7AM Wake up. Pajamas made of almost 100%
synthetic fibers as well as all the linen.
7:05AM Shave with an electric razor made
almost entirely of thermoset plastic, brush teeth
with thermoset toothbrush, apply aftershave
from plastic thermoset bottle.
7:10AM- Pack school bag that is also made of
extruded thermoset polymers. Get dressed with
fabrics that are composed of at least 10%
synthetic polymer fibers.
7:15AM Have breakfast
7:30 AM Get on school bus with synthetic
rubber wheels, synthetic polymers faux fabric
seats.
And thus the list of a persons interactions with
synthetic polymers is endless

Fig. 6: An
example of a
fabric content
label
Fig. 7: An
example of a
typical
toothbrush
made of
thermoset
materials as

10. Summary
Humans use synthetic polymers in their
everyday lives even without knowing it.
Synthetic polymers are often cheaper to
produce than their wooden or metal
counterparts.
Synthetic polymers can be molded and
shaped into almost any conceivable object.
Synthetic rubber, oil as well as thermoset
plastics are polymers that have enabled
fast and economical transportation en mass.
Note that all the examples of synthetic
polymer uses italicized throughout this
board constitute only a fraction of the
possible uses of synthetic polymers.
Fig. 8,9,10: Are examples of where synthetic
polymers are found

11. Bibliography

Fig. 1 : http://www.ndted.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/Materials/Structure/polymer.htm
Fig. 2:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Teflon_structure.PNG
http://photo-dictionary.com/phrase/4334/teflon-frying-pan.html
Fig. 3: http://www.fibersource.com/f-tutor/cellulose.htm
Fig. 4: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Polymer_picture.svg
Fig. 5: http://www.musclecarclub.com/other-cars/classic/ford-model-t/ford-model-t.shtml
Fig. 6: http://www.sciencephoto.com/media/220708/enlarge
Fig. 7: http://www.oralb.com/products/crossaction-toothbrush/
Fig. 8: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GreatFallsKayaker2.jpg
Fig. 9: http://mtbakerbio.com/blog/plastic_series/one
Fig. 10: http://www.soobestelectronicwholesale.com/2012/03/
[1]: "Applications of Polymers." Polymers & Liquid Crystals Introduction. Web. 06 Apr. 2012.
<http://plc.cwru.edu/tutorial/enhanced/files/polymers/apps/apps.htm>.
[2]: "NATURAL VS SYNTHETIC POLYMERS." Polymers. Web. 06 Apr. 2012.
<http://gelfand.web.cmu.edu/scimodules/3._Natural_vs_synthetic_polymers.html>.
[3]: "Polymers." Object Moved. Web. 06 Apr. 2012.
<http://www2.chemistry.msu.edu/faculty/reusch/VirtTxtJml/polymers.htm>.
[4]: "Natural Polymers as Inspiration to Make (or Improve) Polymers." Synthetic Polymers.
Web. 06 Apr. 2012. <http://www.pslc.ws/macrog/kidsmac/synth.htm>.
[5]: Van, Kessel Hans. Nelson Chemistry 12. Toronto: Thomson Nelson, 2003. Print.