PolymersPolymers

PolymersPolymers are a large class of materials consisting of many small molecules (called monomers) that can be linked together to form long chains. A typical polymer may include tens of thousands of monomers.

monomer

polymer

History of PolymersHistory of PolymersHumans have taken advantage of the versatility of polymers for centuries in the form of oils, tars, resins, and gums.

1830 - Charles Goodyear developed natural rubber

1870 - Celluloid ( a hard plastic)

1930’s - Industrial revolution - vinyl, neoprene, polystyrene, and nylon

Today: Polymers are used in nearly every industry.

Applications of PolymersApplications of Polymers

Elastomers: Rubber is the most important elastomer. This material, obtained from the bark of the rubber tree, has been used by humans for many centuries.

Plastics: North Americans consume more than 60 billion pounds of plastics each year.

Fibers: natural fibers (cotton, wool, and silk) have equivalents such as nylon, polyester, rayon, and acrylic

KevlarKevlarMade by DupontMade by Dupont

very strong polymer, equal to very strong polymer, equal to steel in strengthsteel in strength

monomers used terephthalic monomers used terephthalic acid and p-phenylenediamineacid and p-phenylenediamine

Ballistic protection, Military Ballistic protection, Military helmets, Bulletproof vests, helmets, Bulletproof vests, climbing hardware (ropes, climbing hardware (ropes, gloves), sailing equipment, gloves), sailing equipment, flywheels, aircraft structures. flywheels, aircraft structures.

NylonNylon

One of the first polymers One of the first polymers invented (1928)invented (1928)

easily made into a fibreeasily made into a fibre

of high strength, of high strength, elasticity, toughness, elasticity, toughness, and abrasion resistanceand abrasion resistance

used for carpets, used for carpets, clothing, tire cord, rope, clothing, tire cord, rope, and hosieryand hosiery

POLYSTYRENEPOLYSTYRENE

Good thermal Good thermal insulatorinsulator

used for foam beads used for foam beads in packingin packing

very brittlevery brittle

POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATEPOLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE

Moisture resistant, Moisture resistant, crease resistant when crease resistant when made into a fibremade into a fibre

used to make clothing used to make clothing (polyester) and in (polyester) and in making soft drink making soft drink bottlesbottles

Plastics are used almost everywhere – can Plastics are used almost everywhere – can you imagine the world without plastic? What you imagine the world without plastic? What

would your cell phone be made of? would your cell phone be made of?

The End of Oil…and plastics based on petroleum…time to use The End of Oil…and plastics based on petroleum…time to use alternatives alternatives