polymers polymers plastics polymers third generation capt science preparation for strand ii:...
TRANSCRIPT
POLYMERS“Plastics”
Third GenerationCAPT Science Preparation for
Strand II: Chemical Structures and Properties
What is a Polymer?Any of numerous natural and synthetic
compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units (monomers), each a relatively light and simple molecule.
Polymerization
Polymerization is the process of combining many small molecules known as monomers into a covalently bonded chain.
Natural Polymers(Biopolymers)
Examples:
Cellulose Shellac Amber Proteins Nucleic
Acids
Synthetic Polymers
Examples: Nylon Neoprene PVC
Polystyrene Silicone Silly Putty
®
Fractional Distillation
Plastics (synthetic polymers) can come from crude oil. Within crude oil are many different substances such as gasoline, jet fuel, heating fuel etc. To separate these the fractions or parts the mixture is heated. When each part or fraction’s boiling point is reached, that part comes off as a vapor and is separated from the mixture.
Cracking
We do not obtain enough gasoline from fractional distillation but the yield can be increased by cracking. In cracking, longer-chain hydrocarbons like lubricants (16+ carbon atoms) are broken into shorter chained fractions like gasoline with 5 to 12 carbons (ex. Octane = C8H18)
Some Common Synthetic PolymersName(s) Formula Monomer Properties Uses
Polyethylenelow density (LDPE)
–(CH2-CH2)n–ethyleneCH2=CH2
soft, waxy solid film wrap, plastic bags
Polyethylenehigh density (HDPE)
–(CH2-CH2)n–ethyleneCH2=CH2
rigid, translucent solid electrical insulationbottles, toys
Polypropylene(PP) different grades
–[CH2-CH(CH3)]n–propyleneCH2=CHCH3
atactic: soft, elastic solidisotactic: hard, strong solid
similar to LDPEcarpet, upholstery
Poly(vinyl chloride)(PVC)
–(CH2-CHCl)n–vinyl chlorideCH2=CHCl strong rigid solid pipes, siding, flooring
Poly(vinylidene chloride)(Saran A)
–(CH2-CCl2)n–vinylidene chlorideCH2=CCl2
dense, high-melting solid seat covers, films
Polystyrene(PS)
–[CH2-CH(C6H5)]n–styreneCH2=CHC6H5
hard, rigid, clear solidsoluble in organic solvents
toys, cabinetspackaging (foamed)
Polyacrylonitrile(PAN, Orlon, Acrilan)
–(CH2-CHCN)n–acrylonitrileCH2=CHCN
high-melting solidsoluble in organic solvents
rugs, blanketsclothing
Polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE, Teflon)
–(CF2-CF2)n–tetrafluoroethyleneCF2=CF2
resistant, smooth solid non-stick surfaceselectrical insulation
Poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA, Lucite, Plexiglas)
–[CH2-C(CH3)CO2CH3]n–methyl methacrylateCH2=C(CH3)CO2CH3
hard, transparent solid lighting covers, signsskylights
Poly(vinyl acetate)(PVAc)
–(CH2-CHOCOCH3)n–vinyl acetateCH2=CHOCOCH3
soft, sticky solid latex paints, adhesives
cis-Polyisoprenenatural rubber
–[CH2-CH=C(CH3)-CH2]n–isopreneCH2=CH-C(CH3)=CH2
soft, sticky solid requires vulcanizationfor practical use
Polychloroprene (cis + trans)(Neoprene)
–[CH2-CH=CCl-CH2]n–chloropreneCH2=CH-CCl=CH2
tough, rubbery solid synthetic rubberoil resistant
Resin Identification CodeSymbol Abbreviation Polymer Type
PET or PETE Polyethylene Terephthalate
HDPE High Density Polyethylene
PVC Polyvinyl Chloride or Vinyl
LDPE Low Density Polyethylene
PP Polypropylene
PS Polystyrene
Other Polymers or blends of polymers that do not fall into
the other 6 classifications.
Properties of Polymers
Polymers can be very resistant to chemicals.
Polymers can be both thermal and electrical insulators.
Generally, polymers are very light in weight with significant degrees of strength.
Testing Plastics
tensile strength - the amount of pulling force placed upon a material before it breaks
abrasion resistance - toughness of material against scraping, scuffing or scarring
puncture resistance - ability of a material to keep moving objects from perforating the surface
Properties of Polymers cont.
Polymers can be processed in various ways.
Polymers are materials with a seemingly limitless range of characteristics and colors.
Polymers are usually made of petroleum, but not always.
Polymers can be used to make items that have no alternatives from other materials.
• Chain length
• Chain branching
• Interchain bonding
Three factors that influence the degree of crystallinity (or “stiffness”) are:
The importance of the first two factors is nicely illustrated by the differences between HDPE and LDPE.
HDPE: High Density Polyethyleneand LDPE: Low Density
Polyethylene POLYETHYLENE produced in greater quantity than any other
synthetic polymer resistant to chemical attack, cheap to produce
HDPE vs LDPE HDPE is composed of very long
unbranched hydrocarbon chains. These pack together easily in crystalline domains that alternate with amorphous segments, and the resulting material, while relatively strong and stiff, retains a degree of flexibility.
In contrast, LDPE is composed of smaller and more highly branched chains which do not easily adopt crystalline structures. This material is therefore softer, weaker, less dense and more easily deformed than HDPE. As a rule, mechanical properties such as ductility, tensile strength, and hardness rise and eventually level off with increasing chain length.
Cross-linking
Cross-linked Polymers have a web-like pattern as in a net or hammock
Properties: extremely strong and difficult to tear
Ex’s like Threaded bottle caps, and Rubber tires are Thermoset Polymers
Rubber Tires: Example of Cross-linking
Vulcaniztion involves cross-linking rubber. By adding sulfur, rubber becomes more durable and prevents the polymer from moving independently so that when a stress is applied the rubber deforms but reverts back to its original shape when the stress is released.
Thermoset Polymers
A Thermoset is a polymer that solidifies or “sets” irreversibly when heated or cured. A thermoset polymer can’t be softened once “set”. Thermosets are valued for their durability and strength and are used extensively in automobiles and construction including applications such as adhesives, inks, and coatings.
The most common thermoset is the rubber truck and automobile tire.
Thermoplastic PolymersA Thermoplastic is a polymer in which the molecules are
held together by weak secondary bonding forces that soften when exposed to heat and return to its original condition when cooled back down to room temperature. When a thermoplastic is softened by heat, it can then be shaped by extrusion, molding, or pressing.
Examples include milk jugs and carbonated soft drink bottles.
The End Life of PolymersDurables vs. Non-Durables
Products with a useful life of three years or more are referred to as durables. They include appliances, furniture, consumer electronics, automobiles, and building and construction materials.
Products with a useful life of less than three years are generally referred to as non-durables. Common applications include packaging, trash bags, cups, eating utensils, sporting and recreational equipment, toys, medical devices and disposable diapers.
What do we do with Polymers when they are no longer
useful?Three Options
and their consequences
1. Disposal in a landfill
2. Incinerate3. Recycle
Disposal in a landfill
Polymers are fairly resistant to chemicals and therefore would take a very long time to decompose if just buried in a landfill.
In the meantime, the waste polymers take up a lot of space and could possibly decompose or react with other materials that might eventually result in compounds that could be potentially harmful to the environment.
IncinerateThe burning (combustion) of polymers produces
harmful gases that are toxic to the environment.
Recycle - The best choice! Mechanical
Recycling Feedstock
Recycling Source Reduction
Mechanical RecyclingOnce collected, reclamation is the next step
where the plastics are chopped into flakes, washed to remove contaminants and sold to end users to manufacture new products such as bottles, containers, clothing, carpet, plastic lumber, etc.
Feedstock RecyclingPyrolysis (heating without oxygen) and
other chemical recycling is a special case where condensation polymers such as PET or nylon are chemically reacted to form starting materials.
Source Reduction Use less! Redesign products and packaging that uses less
polymer material.
Reduce the amount the amount of polymer products that are purchased.
Clean and Reuse the polymer products that have been purchased.
What is the first question you are asked at the grocery store checkout:
paper or plastic?
Paper bags can be recycled. Plastic bags are being recycled in many places, with about 50% of supermarkets now having recycling programs for plastic bags.
However, a stack of 1,000 paper bags is 46 inches high and weigh 140 pounds. A stack of 1,000 plastic bags is only 4 inches tall and weighs 16 pounds. That is a 124 pound savings.
When you translate these weight and volume differences into transportation efficiencies, it takes seven trucks to haul the same number of paper bags as can be hauled by only one truck carrying plastic ones.
Convinced you should stick with plastic bags ?
Extra credit points to attend the 5:30 pm showing of the movie “Bag-It” at the Darien Library, this Sunday March 5.
There will be a sign-in sheet.