MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION –

III

LECTURE NO. X
Dated: 10/12/2018
TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

_ Polymeric Materials
• Introduction
• Polymerization Mechanism
• Depolymerization
• Rubber
• Classification of Rubber
• Compounds of Rubber
• Uses of Rubber
_ Plastics
• Properties of Plastics
POLYMERIC MATERIALS:

INTRODUCTION:
High polymers, also known as macromolecules, are large molecules of colloidal dimensions (10-3to 10-6mm in
diameter) having high molecular weight (10,000 to millions). Small molecules called monomers undergo
polymerization reaction and form macromolecules. The examples of polymeric materials are resins, plastics and
rubbers.

POLYMERIZATION MECHANISM:
Polymerization may be defined as the union of two smaller molecules of similar or different types with or
without elimination of water resulting in the formation of new C-C linkages. The mechanism by which
polymerization takes place may be addition or condensation.
In polymer chemistry, polymerization is a process of reacting monomer molecules together in a chemical
reaction to form polymer chains or three-dimensional networks. There are many forms of polymerization and
different systems exist to categorize them.
DEPOLYMERIZATION:
Also known as degradation, depolymerisation may occur when used for extended period of time with steam as
in the case of urea-formaldehyde plastic or due to thermal variations disrupting the intramolecular bonds
within the molecules of plastic formed at high temperatures. Depolymerisation is used to its advantage for
cracking petroleum into highly combustible products and of cellulose (charcoal).
Depolymerization (or depolymerisation) is the process of converting a polymer into a monomer or a mixture of
monomers.
RUBBERS:

Rubbers also known as elastomers, are high polymers having the unique property of undergoing large
deformations under load and returning to their original shape and dimension on its removal owing to lengthening
and shortening of the springs of polymeric chains (elastomer molecule is not straight chained but is in the form of
coil).
The unstretched rubber molecule is amorphous. In stretching, the macromolecules in it get partially aligned with
respect to one another causing crystallization. Consequently the material gets stiffened due to increased
attractive forces between the molecules. On releasing the stress the chain regains its original coiled state and the
material again becomes amorphous.
CLASSIFICATION OF RUBBER:
Rubber can be classified as natural, synthetic and rubber like plastic.
NATURAL RUBBER:
It consists of basic material latex, which polymerises to form long coiled chain of polyisoperene. It is made from
the sap occurring in cells of the various parts of the plants.
The latex is obtained by making incisions in the bark of the rubber tree, allowing the sap to flow out. It is collected
and diluted to contain 15–20% of rubber and then strained to remove any dirt. Thereafter the rubber is
coagulated by adding acetic or formic acid. The coagulated rubber is then treated to produce crude rubber known
as crepe rubber and smoked rubber which is further processed, milled and vulcanized to produce commercial
rubber.
CREPE RUBBER:
It is produced by coagulating rubber in the presence of retarder like sodium bisulphite. Then it is passed
between the rollers of creping machine where most of the serum is squeezed out and a sheet resembling
crepe paper is formed.
SMOKED RUBBER:
It is prepared by pouring diluted latex into tanks having sides with vertical grooves. Diluted formic
or acetic acid is added and stirred. The partition plates are inserted in the grooves and left for about
16 hours. The slabs so formed are removed and passed through series of rollers with decreasing
clearances. The sheets are kept for four days in a smoke house having a temperature of 40–50° C.
SYNTHETIC RUBBER:
It is based on the model of natural rubber and thermoplastic vinyl high polymers. The possible number of
synthetic rubbers are unlimited. It is so because all straight-chain polymers can be made to specific
requirements to produce rubber like properties. However, the cheap price and easy availability of natural
rubber has suppressed the demand of synthetic rubber. The term synthetic rubber for rubber like materials
prepared synthetically is a misnomer; the more appropriate term is elastsmer.
COMPOUNDS OF RUBBER:
The crude rubber is elastic. In cold weather it is elastic whereas soft and sticky in hot weather. These defects are
removed by vulcanization. Softeners and plasticisers such as vegetable oils, wax and resin oil are added to natural
or synthetic rubber to enhance tenacity and adhesion; vulcanizing agents such as sulphur (0.15–32%) which
combines chemically at the double bonds of different rubber springs and thus enhance stiffness. A vulcanized
rubber tyre may contain 3–5% of sulphur whereas a battery case rubber contains as much as 30 per cent. The
vulcanization process is however, slow and the product is porous, lacks sufficient strength and deteriorates on
prolonged exposure to atmosphere. To overcome these short comings some additives are added prior to
vulcanization. These additives are classified as accelerators, reinforcing pigments, softners and antioxidants
according to the functions they perform.
Accelerators shorten the time required for vulcanization; reinforcing fillers such as carbon black are added to give
strength and rigidity to the tyres. Antioxidants or age resistors decrease the rate of detercoration and prolong the
life of the rubber. These are usually compounds of organic aromatic amines and are added to the extent of 0.3 to 2
per cent.
USES:
Rubber is the most suitable material for conveyer belts, linings for tanks. Tyres, gaskets, mountings, hoses,
insulating coatings and toys, phenolaldehyde resin with waste rubber is used to make flooring tiles. Like cyclised
rubber chlorinated rubber, is a modified form of natural rubber, most widely used in the production of
protective coatings and adhesives. Rubber hydrochloride, on processing can produce thin films of wrapping and
packages. Rubber is also being used increasingly in the manufacture of foam rubber, which is used in upholstery
and furniture.
PLASTICS:
Plastics are made from resin with or without fillers, plasticisers and pigments. These are organic materials of
high molecular weight which can be moulded to any desired form when subjected to heat and pressure in the
presence of a catalyst. Schonbein invented a plastic named cellulose in 1846. Later John Wesley Hyatt in 1890
developed cellulose, and Adolph spitter invented casein plastics. Bakelite was developed in 1909 by Dr.
Bakeland. Since then a variety of plastics have been developed. These are natural (shellac and resin) or
synthetic in origin. Plastics are replacing glass, ceramics and other building materials due to the low
temperature range in which they can be brought to the plastic state and the consequent ease of forming and
fabrication and also for their low cost and easy availability. Plastics are classified as thermoplastic, and
thermosetting.
The thermoplastic variety softens on heating and hardens on cooling, i.e., their hardness is temporary
property subjected to change with rise or fall of temperature and can be brought again to plastic stage on
heating. These are formed by addition polymerisation and have long chain molecular structure. They can be
remoulded, for use, as many times as required. Some of the uses of the plastics are given in Table.
SERIAL NO. USES NAME OF PLASTICS
01 As a substituent of glass for doors and windows Acrylic, Better than glass
02 Insulation of Electric Cables, light fittings, hand rails Cellulose acetate
03 Set squares, slide rules, fountain pens Cellulose nitrate
04 Electric Insulation, Kitchenware, Toys, Sheets, for packing Polyethylene
Electric Equipments. Refrigerator Parts, Food Containers,
05 polystyrene
Toys as a rigid form for packing
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
06 Drainage Pipes, Floor Finishes, Emulsion paints
Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA)
Thermosetting plastic cannot be reused. They require great pressure and momentary heat during moulding
and finally get hardened on cooling. The chemical reaction in this process cannot be reversed. Once solidified
they cannot be softened. The thermosetting plastics acquire three-dimensional cross-linked structure with
predominantly strong covalent bonds during polymerization retaining strength even on heating; under
prolonged heating they fail by charring. Compared to thermoplastics, they are hard, strong and more brittle.
The important thermosetting resins are phenolic resins or phenoplasts (bakelite), amino resins, polyester
resins, epoxy resins and silicon resins. The principal uses are in electrical equipments, plugs, sockets, switches,
ash trays, knobs, handles, etc.
PROPERTIES OF PLASTICS:

1. Can be moulded to any desired shape or size and have high tensile and compressive strengths.
2. Easy to work upon.
3. Light in weight and a few varieties are glossy like glass.
4. Not attacked by insects and fungi.
5. Available in desired colour and texture.
6. Require a little maintenance.
7. Good electrical insulators and have low thermal conductivity.
8. Shock absorbing material.
9. Can be sawn, drilled and punched and welded easily.
10. High strength to weight ratio.
11. High resistance to weathering conditions.
12. Corrosion resistance.
13. Decorative surface effect—painting or polishing of the surface is not required.
14. High refractive index.
15. Some varieties are as hard as steel.
16. Withstands moisture, oil and grease well.
17. Inflammable.
18. High coefficient of thermal expansion (about ten times of steel).
19. Deterioration under prolonged exposure to sun’s ultra violet rays.
20. Low manufacturing cost, hence cheap.
THE END