List of Synthetic Polymer

IUPAC definition

List of synthetic polymersFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Synthetic polymers are human-made polymers. From the utility point of view they can be classified into fourmain categories: thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers and synthetic fibers. They are found commonly in avariety of consumer products such as money, super glue, etc.

A wide variety of synthetic polymers are available with variations in main chain as well as side chains. Theback bones of common synthetic polymers such as polythene and polystyrene, poly acrylates are made up ofcarbon-carbon bonds, whereas hetero chain polymers such as polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanespolysulfides and polycarbonates have other elements (e.g. oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen) inserted along thebackbone. Also silicon form familiar materials such as silicones through siloxane linkages, which does not haveany carbon atoms and is said to be an inorganic polymer. Coordination polymers may contain a range of metalsin the backbone, with non-covalent bonding present.

Some familiar house-hold synthetic polymers include Nylons in textiles and fabrics, Teflon in non-stick pans,Bakelite for electrical switches, polyvinyl chloride in pipes, etc. The common PET bottles are made of asynthetic 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 environmentalissues created by these synthetic polymers which are mostly non-biodegradable and often synthesized frompetroleum, alternatives like bioplastics are also being considered. But they are expensive when compared to the

synthetic polymers.[2]

Contents

1 Inorganic polymers

2 Organic polymers

3 Brand names

4 See also

5 References

Inorganic polymers

Polysiloxane

Polyphosphazene

Organic polymers

The seven most common types of synthetic organic polymers, which are commonly found in households are:

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE),

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE),

Artificial polymer: Man-made polymer that is not a biopolymer.

Note 1: Artificial polymer should also be used in the case of chemicallymodified biopolymers.

Note 2: Biochemists are now capable of synthesizing copies of biopolymersthat should be named synthetic biopolymers to make a distinctionwith true biopolymers.

Note 3: Genetic engineering is now capable of generating non-natural analoguesof biopolymers that should be referred to as artificial biopolymers, e.g.,

artificial protein, artificial polynucleotide, etc.[3]

List of synthetic polymers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_synthetic_polymers

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Polypropylene (PP)

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Polystyrene (PS)

Nylon, nylon 6, nylon 6,6

Teflon (Polytetrafluoroethylene)

Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU)

List of some addition polymers and their uses

Polymer Abbreviation Properties Uses

Low Density Polyethylene LDPEChemically inert, flexible,insulator

Squeeze bottles, toys, flexible pipes,insulation cover (electric wires), sixpack rings, etc.

High Density Polyethylene HDPEInert, thermally stable, toughand high tensile strength

Bottles, pipes, inner insulation ofcoax cable, plastic bags, etc.

Polypropylene PPResistant to acids andalkalies, High tensilestrength

Auto parts, industrial fibers, foodcontainers, liner in bags, dishwareand as a wrapping material fortextiles and food

Polystyrene (thermocole) PS

Thermal insulator. Propertiesdepends on the form,expanded form is tough andrigid

Petri dishes, CD case, plasticcutlery

Polytetrafluoroethylene PTFEVery low coefficient offriction, excellent dielectricproperties, chemically inert

Low friction bearings, non-stickpans, coating against chemicalattack etc.

Polyvinylchloride PVC Insulator

Pipe, fencing, lawn chairs,hand-bags, curtain clothes,non-food bottles, raincoats, toys,vinyl flooring etc.

Polychlorotrifluoroethylene PCTFEStable to heat and thermalattacks, high tensile strengthand non wetting

valves, seals, gaskets etc.

Brand names

These polymers are often better known through their brand names, for instance:


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BrandName

PolymerCharacteristic

propertiesUses

BakelitePhenol-formaldehyderesin

High electric, heat andchemical resistance

Insulation of wires, manufacturing sockets,electrical devices, brake pads, etc.

Kevlar Para-aramid fibre High tensile strengthManufacturing armour, sports and musicalequipment. Used in the field of cryogenics

Twaron Para-aramidHeat resistant and strongfibre

Bullet-proof body armor, helmets, brakepads, ropes, cables and optical fibre cables,etc. and as an asbestos substitute

MylarPolyethyleneterephthalate film

High strength andstiffness, less permeableto gases, almost reflectslight completely

Food packaging, transparent covering overpaper, reflector for rollsigns and solarcooking stoves

Neoprene Polychloroprene Chemically inertManufacturing gaskets, corrosion resistantcoatings, waterproof seat covers, substitutefor corks and latex

Nylon PolyamideSilky, thermoplastic andresistant to biological andchemical agents

Stockings, fabrics, toothbrushes. Moldednylon is used in making machine screws,gears etc.

Nomex Meta-aramid polymer

Excellent thermal,chemical, and radiationresistance, rigid, durableand fireproof.

Hood of firefighter's mask, electricallamination of circuit boards and transformercores and in Thermal MicrometeoroidGarment

Orlon Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)Wool-like, resistant tochemicals, oils, moths andsunlight

Used for making clothes and fabrics likesweaters, hats, yarns, rugs, etc., and as aprecursor of carbon fibres

Rilsan Polyamide 11 & 12 Bioplastic

Used in high-performance applications suchas sports shoes, electronic devicecomponents, automotive fuel lines,pneumatic airbrake tubing, oil and gasflexible pipes and control fluid umbilicals,and catheters.

Technora Copolyamid

High tensile strength,resistance to corrosion,heat, chemicals andsaltwater

Used for manufacturing optical fiber cables,umbilical cables, drumheads, automotiveindustry, ropes, wire ropes and cables

TeflonPolytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE)

Very low coefficient offriction, excellentdielectric properties, highmelting, chemically inert

Plain bearings, gears, non-stick pans, etc.due to its low friction. Used as a tubing forhighly corrosive chemicals.

Ultem PolyimideHeat,flame and solventresistant. Has highdielectric strength

Used in medical and chemicalinstrumentation, also in guitar picks


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Vectran aromatic polyester

High thermal andchemical stability. Goldencolor. Has high strength,low creep, and is moistureresistant

Used as reinforcing fibres for ropes, cables,sailcloth. Also used in manufacturingbadminton strings, bike tires and inelectronics applications. Is the keycomponent of a line of inflatable spacecraftdeveloped by Bigelow Aerospace

VitonPolytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE)

ElastomerDepends on the grade of the polymer. VitonB is used in chemical process plants andgaskets.

Zylonpoly-p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole(PBO)

Very high tensile strengthand thermal stability

Used in tennis racquets, table tennis blades,body armor, etc.

See also

Polymerization

Radical polymerization

RAFT (chemistry)

References

^ Andrew J. Peacock; Allison R. Calhoun (30 June 2006). Polymer Chemistry: Properties and Applications

(http://books.google.com/books?id=FPrfQJuDE3YC&pg=PA1). Hanser Verlag. pp. 1–. ISBN 978-1-56990-397-1.

Retrieved 15 July 2012.

1.

^ Srikanth Pilla (15 September 2011). Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications

(http://books.google.com/books?id=UX-9Z5jx-IsC). John Wiley & Sons. p. 154. ISBN 978-1-118-17704-4. Retrieved

15 July 2012.

2.

^ "Glossary of Basic Terms in Polymer Science". Pure and Applied Chemistry 68 (12): 2287–2301. 1996.

doi:10.1351/goldbook.A00250 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1351%2Fgoldbook.A00250).

3.

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List of Synthetic Polymer