Cad cam Flashcards
What is the most widely used material in commercial production?
Polymers
What are the two main sources from which polymers can be created?
- Natural polymers
2. synthetic polymers
Give 2 examples of natural polymers
Amber
Rubber
Which is more commonly used, natural or synthetic polymers?
Synthetic polymers
Name 3 carbon based materials used to make synthetic polymers
- Crude oil
- Coal
- Natural gas
What is the name of the process used to make synthetic polymers?
Polymerisation
What is the definition of polymerisation?
Polymerisation occurs when monomers are joined together to form chains of molecules called polymers.
Write out the word equation and diagram for polymerisation
Monomers ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ polymer
Polymerisation should be written across the arrow and single circles should represent the monomers and circles joined in a line for the polymer
What are the two main types of synthetic polymer that you need to learn?
- Thermosetting
2. Thermoplastic
Can thermosetting plastics be recycled?
No
What is thermosetting?
When the polymers are heated and moulded into shape
If polymers made by thermosetting are reheated, do they soften?
If thermosetting polymers are reheated they cannot soften
Why can thermosetting polymers not soften on reheating?
They cannot soften as the polymer chains are interlinked.
What happens in the thermosetting process?
Individual monomers are joined together to form a massive polymer
Where are thermosetting polymers commonly found?
In resins or powder form.
Give three actual examples of thermosetting polymers
Polystyrene resin
Epoxy resin
Melamine formaldehyde
What will happen when thermoplastics are softened?
These polymers will soften when they are heated
When can thermoplastics be shaped?
Yes when the plastic is hot
After heating when the plastic is soft when will it harden again?
When it cools
Can thermoplastics be remoulded?
Yes they can be reshaped by heating them up
How is thermoplastics normally supplied?
Generally supplied in sheets form or in pellets for injection moulding.
Can thermoplastics be recycled?
Yes they can
Give three examples of thermoplastics
Polyethylene terephthalate
High density polystyrene
Low density polystyrene
Polystyrene
What does the diagram of thermosetting look like?
Links between the polymer chains to stop movement between them.
Make sure you know what this looks like as you may have to draw it.
What does the diagram of thermoplastics look like?
No links between the polymer chains
What is the thermoplastic polyethylene terephthalate used for?
Fizzy drinks bottles and oven ready meal trays
What is the thermoplastic high density polystyrene used for?
Bottles for milk and washing up liquids
What is the thermoplastic low density polystyrene used for?
Carrier bags and bin liners
What is the thermo plastic polystyrene used for?
Yoghurt pots, foam meat or fish trays, hamburger boxes and egg cartons, plastic cutlery, protective packaging for goods and toys
What are degradable plastics?
Bio based plastics
Are bio based plastics new?
No they have been around for some time but are now becoming much more widely used.
Why are more types of bio based plastics being developed?
Consumers are becoming more environmentally friendly and demand it
How are biodegradable plastics created?
Using renewable raw materials such as starches from corn and potato
What does biodegradable mean?
Will decay over time
An example of a thermosetting plastic is polyester resin. What is this used for?
Used as the plastic in fibre glass