Natural and Synthetic Polymers

Some Natural Polymers in Food…

• Gelatin in gummi worms and gummi bears are made from natural polymers!

• Bubble gum contains styrene butadiene rubber!

• Carbohydrates (starches) and proteins are examples of natural polymers!

natural polymers

Polymers are everywhere!!!

Polymers at the movies…. Nylon carpet, polyester and acrylic seats, polyester curtains, nylon screen, polyester film strip, waxy polyethylene popcorn tub, starch in popcorn, polystyrene cups, plastic M&M bag, protein in hotdogs, gelatin in gummy bears, paraffin in Junior Mints, sticky stuff on the floor made of soda, butter, Skittles, Milk Duds and more…

Polymerization

Polyethylene (PE)used for: flexible bottles, ice trays, plastic bags

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) used for: pipes, bottles, CD’s, computer housings

Polypropylene (PP)used for: rope, luggage, carpet, film, polar fleece

propylene

Polystyrene (PS)used for: toys, packaging, egg cartons, flotation devices, hot cups

Carbohydrates

Proteins are made from 20 Amino Acids

Protein Chain

Lipids

Nucleic Acids

Distillation ApparatusParts

Distillation ApparatusAssembled

Fractional Distillation

Straight Chained Polymer

(made up of one type of monomer)

Straight Chained Polymer (made up of more than one type of

monomer)

Branched Chain Polymer

Cross Linked Polymers

Cross links add elasticity (memory)

Vulcanizing Rubber to make it more flexible, tougher and temperature resistant and involves adding Sulfur atoms to create

cross-links.

Properties of Polymers

Properties are determined by the structure of the molecules and depends on:

type(s) of monomer(s) usedchain lengthshape of the chainnumber and type of cross-linking

Stress - Strain Behaviors

Tensile Strength - the amount of pulling force placed upon a material before it breaks

Abrasion Resistance - toughness of the material against scraping, scuffing or scarring

Puncture Resistance - ability of a material to keep moving objects from perforating the surface

Environmental Issues: Concerns:

Polymers are made from petroleum and so the problems associated with the acquisition, transport and refining of petroleum products apply to these as well.

Petroleum is a non-renewable resource Most polymers are not biodegradable.

 Burning and heating during cooking of polymers may release toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. Improper disposal of materials can present a hazard to animals (6 pack bindings)

 Last a long time when disposed of in a landfill, or during ocean dumping.

Environmental Issues:

Advantages: 

Polymers can be easily reused and recycled. 

They can be used to create numerous unique and useful materials (plastics) some of which have uses for which there is no natural substitute.

 Chemically inactive, materials stored in plastic are not damaged by their contact with the plastic.