chapter 1 (polymers)

Question 1

what is a polymer made from?

Answer 1

made from monomers chemically bonded together to form long chain molecules (polymers)

Question 2

thermoplastics - what happens when they’re heated and why?

Answer 2

• they become soft, allowing them to be bent, pressed or formed because:
• they’re made from long chains of molecules that are tangled together + have no fixed pattern. There’re few cross links between the long chains.

Question 3

what happens when thermoplastics cool ?

Answer 3

•they cool and become stiff

Question 4

thermoplastics - main advantage

Answer 4

• they can be reheated and reshape many times .

* they have a ‘memory’ and when they’re reheated they try to return to their original shape unless they’ve been damaged

Question 5

THERMOPLASTICS- acrylic- properties (4)

Answer 5

• good impact strength (doesn’t shatter only breaks in large pieces)
• lightweight
• good electrical insulator
• durable

Question 6

THERMOPLASTICS- acrylic- uses (3)

Answer 6

• ornamental fish tanks
• baths/bathroom furniture
• car indicator covers/ reflectors

Question 7

THERMOPLASTICS -acrylic- pros (4)

Answer 7

• be recycled
• good environmental stability
• polishes&finishes well
• available in lots of colours

Question 8

THERMOPLASTICS - acrylic- cons (3)

Answer 8

• relatively soft
• scratches easily
• poor chemical resistance

Question 9

THERMOPLASTICS - polyethene - properties (4)

Answer 9

• tough
• resistant to materials
• soft&flexible
• good electrical insulator

Question 10

THERMOPLASTICS - polyethene-uses (6)

Answer 10

• carrier bags
• toys
• washing up bowls
• bleach bottles
• buckets
• shampoo bottles

Question 11

THERMOPLASTICS -polyethene- pros (2)

Answer 11

• be recycled (but not easily)

* good chemical resistance

Question 12

THERMOPLASTICS -polyethene- cons (1)

Answer 12

•most waste ends up in land fill sites even though it can be recycled

Question 13

THERMOPLASTICS -polyvinyl chloride (PVC)- properties (9)

Answer 13

• good chemical resistance
• weather resistant
• lightweight
• good electrical insulator
• stiff
• hard
• tough
• waterproof
• durable

Question 14

THERMOPLASTICS -polyvinyl chloride (PVC)- uses (7)

Answer 14

• pipes (rainwater&guttering)
• bottles
• shoe soles
• window frames&fascias
• waterbeds
• swimming pool toys
• electrical cable insulation

Question 15

THERMOPLASTICS -polyvinyl chloride (PVC)- pros (2)

Answer 15

• be recycled

* relatively cheap to manufacture

Question 16

THERMOPLASTICS -polyvinyl chloride (PVC)- cons (2)

Answer 16

• expensive to recycle

* dangerous fumes given off when burnt

Question 17

THERMOPLASTICS -high impact polystyrene (HIPS) - properties (4)

Answer 17

• tough
• high impact strength
• rigid
• good electrical insulator

Question 18

THERMOPLASTICS -high impact polystyrene (HIPS) - uses (4)

Answer 18

• food appliances
• toys
• cutlery
• DVD/CD cases

Question 19

THERMOPLASTICS -high impact polystyrene (HIPS) - pros (3)

Answer 19

• available in lots of colours
• can be machined & painted
• be recycled

Question 20

THERMOPLASTICS - high impact polystyrene (HIPS) - cons (3)

Answer 20

• expensive
• limited flexibility
• won’t biodegrade

Question 21

THERMOPLASTICS-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS)- properties (7)

Answer 21

• high impact strength
• tough
• scratch resistant
• lightweight
• durable
• good resistance to chemicals
• good electrical insulator

Question 22

THERMOPLASTICS -acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS)- uses(5)

Answer 22

• kitchenware
• camera cases
• toys
• car components
• telephone cases

Question 23

THERMOPLASTICS -acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS)- pros(1)

Answer 23

•available in numerous colours

Question 24

THERMOPLASTICS -acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS) -cons(1)

Answer 24

•expensive compared to polystyrene

Question 25

thermosetting plastics ; what are they made up from?

Answer 25

•long chains of cross linked molecules that results in a rigid molecular structure

Question 26

how are thermosetting plastics different to thermoplastics?

Answer 26

they can soften when heated buttt only for the first time so they cannot be reheated and reshaped, unlike thermoplastics

Question 27

THERMOSETTING PLASTIC- polyester resin- properties(5)

Answer 27

• good electrical insulator
• hard
• brittle
• good hear and chemical resistance
• resists UV radiation

Question 28

THERMOSETTING PLASTIC- polyester resin- uses(6)

Answer 28

• casting
• encapsulation for biological specimens
• boat hulls w/ fibreglass
• model figures
• adhesives
• filler materials

Question 29

THERMOSETTING PLASTICS- polyester resin -pros (2)

Answer 29

• can be mixed with pigments to achieve a range of colours

* good resistance to water

Question 30

THERMOSETTING PLASTICS- polyester resin -cons(2)

Answer 30

• contracts on curing

* can cause excess heat when too much catalyst used

Question 31

THERMOSETTING PLASTICS- urea formaldehyde -properties (6)

Answer 31

• stiff
• hard
• brittle
• scratch resistant
• stain resistant
• high tensile strength

Question 32

THERMOSETTING PLASTICS- urea formaldehyde - uses (4)

Answer 32

• table ware
• worktop laminates
• buttons
• electrical casings

Question 33

THERMOSETTING PLASTICS- urea formaldehyde -pros (2)

Answer 33

• can be coloured

* high surface hardness

Question 34

THERMOSETTING PLASTICS -urea formaldehyde -cons (1)

Answer 34

•toxic fumes given off when it cures

Question 35

POLYMER PROPERTIES - plasticity ; definition, materials (2) & uses (1)

Answer 35

• the ability to change shape without cracking
• acrylic & ABS
• mounded products (e.g. garden chairs, shampoo bottles)

Question 36

POLYMER PROPERTIES- durability; definition, materials (1) & uses(3)

Answer 36

• ability to withstand weathering deterioration/corrosion
• generally all plastics
• garden furniture, window/door frames & rainwater pipes/ guttering