Materials: Polymers

Question 1

Classification of Polymers:

• Th____pla__; a ______ that can be _____ and _____ ______, _____ for it to be _____.
• Th__se_; a _____ that when ____ ______ a _____ _____ whereby the ______ form ___ ____-____, cannot be _____.
• Ele_______: a ______ than can be _______ under _______ and ______ to its _____ ____ once the ______ is ______.

Answer 1

Classification of Polymers:

• Thermoplastic; a polymer that can be reheated and reshaped repeatedly, allowing for it to be recycled.
• Thermoset; a polymer that when heated undergoes a chemical change whereby the molecules form rigid cross-links, cannot be reheated.
• Elastomer: a polymer than can be deformed under pressured and returned to its original shape once the pressured is released.

Question 2

Thermoplastics:

• L__-de____ _____ethy____; Very t____, good ch_______ res_______, wea_____ _____, low level of _______. Used for; Squ_____ ______ _____, ___, ca_____ ______, ___ ____.
• H___-de___ _____ethy____; wea_____ _____, t_____, good ch_______ res_________. Used for; Che______ dr______, ____ ____, ____, hou_______ and kit_________, buc_____ and ______.
• ____propy____; Good ch______ res_______, t___, good fat_____ res________. Used for; Ro____, fol______, ____ ___, _____ cont______, me______ _________.
• H___-im_____ ___styr_____; H____, ri____, t_____. Used for; Yog____ ___, refr______ ______, ____-____ ___ cu__, toi___ ____.

Answer 2

Thermoplastics:

• Low-density polyethylene; Very tough, good chemical resistance, weather proof, low level of rigidity. Used for; Squeeze detergent bottles, toys, carrier bags, bin liners.
• High-density polyethylene; weather proof, tough, good chemical resistance. Used for; Chemical drums, jerry cans, toys, household and kitchenware, buckets and bowls.
• Polypropylene; Good chemical resistance, tough, good fatigue resistance. Used for; Ropes, folders, folio case, food containers, medical equipment.
• High-impact polystyrene; Hard, rigid, tough. Used for; Yoghurt pots, refrigerator lining, single-used drink cups, toilet seats.

Question 3

Thermoplastics:

• Acry___tri___ but______ sty_____; [ABS], T____, h_____. Used for; Tele______ ______, ____ lugg_____, ______, comp_______ ______, _____ and _____ control hou_____.
• ____melt_____thacry______; [PMMA], T______, h_____, good ch______ res_______. Used for; Car ______ cas_____, lig______ ____, ____.
• N____; T____, ________ res________, good team_______ res_______, ___ coe______ of _____. Used for; Bea_____, ____, cur_____ ___, tex_____, __-__-___-___ food pac_______.
• Ri____ ______vinyl Chlo______; [uPVC], R___, ______, t_____, h___, good wea_______ res________, good ch________ res_______. Used for; Wi_____ ______, ex______ ____, gutt_____ and down____, _____ cards.
• Fle_______ ____vinyl chl____; [PVC], T_____, fle_______, good wea_____ and ch________ res_________. Used for; H___ _____, _____ insu_______, medi_____ grade tu______.

Answer 3

Thermoplastics:

• Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene;[ABS], Tough, hard. Used for; Telephone handles, rigid luggage, handles, computer housing, calculator and remote control housing.
• Polymethylmethacrylate; [PMMA], Tough, hard, good chemical resistance. Used for; Car light casings, lighting units, baths.
• Nylon; Tough, corrosion resistance, good temperature resistance, low coefficient of friction. Used for; Bearings, gears, curtain rails, textiles, boil-in-the-bag food packaging.
• Rigid polyvinyl chloride; [uPVC], Rigid, opaque, tough, hard, good weather resistance, good chemical resistance. Used for; Window frames, external doors, guttering and downpipes, bank cards.
• Flexible polyvinyl chloride; [PVC], Tough, flexible, good weather and chemical resistance. Used for; hose pipes, cable insulation, medical grade tubing.

Question 4

Thermoset Polymers:

• Ur___ for______hyde; [UF], H_____, ___ res______, good el______ ins_______, bri______. Used for; Ele_____ fitt_____, adh_____.
• Mel________ for______hyde; [MF], H____, _______, t____, ___ res______, food ____, ch_____ res_______. Used for; Dec_______ lam_______, picnic ____, but______.
• P_____ re______; R____, ____ res_______, ch_______ res________, bri____. Used for; Cas___, used in __-__ pr_____, ___ ___, car ____, ____.
• E____ re____; R____, ____, h____, t_____, ch_______ res_________. Used for; Adh________, sur______ coa______, enc_________ el_______ com_________, ______ pace_______.

Answer 4

Thermoset Polymers:

• Urea formaldehyde; Hard, heat resistance, good electrical insulator, brittle. Used for; Electrical fitting, adhesive.
• Melamine formaldehyde; Hard, opaque, tough, heat resistance, food safe, chemical resistance. Used for; Decorative laminates, picnic ware, buttons.
• Polyester resin; Rigid, heat resistance, chemical resistance, brittle. Used for; Casting, used in layup process, boat hulls, car parts, chairs.
• Epoxy resin; Rigid, clear, hard, tough, chemical resistance. Used for; Adhesive, surface coating, encapsulation electrical components, cardiac pacemaker.

Question 5

Elastomers:

• Na_____ __bb__; [polyisoprene], H___ ten____ str______, ___ Elon______, good h_____ss, t____, el______ ins_____, good ___ res________. Used for; Ty___, ____, ____, _____, _____, _______.
• But______ __bb__; [BR], T____, excellent ____ res_______ against fr_____, good th________ res________ against fr________, el______ ins______. Used for; Ty___, ____ _____, -______, ____vey___ ____.
• Neo_______; [polychloroprene rubber], Good th______ res________, t_____ss, good ___ and ch_______ res________, excellent wea_______ res_________, good abr________ res________ and el________ ins______. Used for; Wet___, _____ _____, ind______ ____ ins______, ____ ______.
• Si_______; fle_______ at ___ temp________, ____ abr_______ res______, good th_______ res_________, good wea________ res________, good lub__________ qualities, el_______ ins_______. Used for; fle______ ice cube _____, ______, _______ ute____, ______ lub______, mo___ ______.

Answer 5

Elastomers:

• Natural rubber; [polyisoprene], High tensile strength, low elongation, good hardness, tough, electrical insulator, good cold resistance. Used for; Tyres, tubes, hoses, gaskets, belts, footwear.
• Butadiene rubber; [BR], Tough, excellent wear resistance against friction, good thermal resistance against friction, electrical insulator. Used for; tyres, shoe soles, toys, conveyor belts.
• Neoprene; [polychloroprene rubber], Good thermal resistance, toughness, good oil and chemical resistance, excellent weather resistance, good abrasion resistance and electrical insulator. Used for; Wetsuits, laptop cases, industrial wire insulation, hose covers.
• Silicone; Flexibility at low temperatures, poor abrasion resistance, good thermal resistance, good weather resistance, good lubrication qualities, electrical insulator. Used for; flexible ice cube trays, bakeware, cooking utensils, machinery lubricant, mould making.

Question 6

Biodegradable Polymers:

• N____ bi_-pol_____; Made from ____ ______ such as ________ or ______.
• Sy______ bi_-pol_______: Made from ________ ________ but _______ ________ to ______ down more ______.
• Pho__de________; Polymer ______ are _________ and the polymer ______ _______ with ________ to UV ____.
• Ox_-de________; Polymers turn into a ___ _____ with ______ to ______ and _______ by _____-_______.
• Hy__-de_______; polymers _______ ______ _____ with _______ to ____ and ________ by _____-______.

Answer 6

Biodegradable Polymers:

• Natural bio-polymers; Made from natural materials such as cellulose or starch.
• Synthetic bio-polymers: Made from renewable resources but chemically engineered to break down more quickly.
• Photodegradable; Polymer bonds are weakened and the polymer breaks down with exposure to UV light.
• Oxy-degradable; Polymers turn into a fine powder with exposure to oxygen and degraded by micro-organisms.
• Hydro-degradable; polymers quickly break down with exposure to water and degraded by micro-organisms.

Question 7

Biodegradable Polymers:

• Co__ _____ pol_____; Na______ bi_-_______, made from ____-_____ _________, such as ___, _______ and _____. Used for; ________ ______, _____, _____ _____, ______ ______, ____.
• Pot_____; Na____ bi_-_______, made from _____ _____. Used for; _____-__, ____ items such as _____, -____, ___ _____, ______.
• Bio__; [PHB], na______ bi_-______, a bi_-ba____ _______, made from ______ grown in ______. Used for; ______ ______ such as ____, _____ ____, ______ _____, ______.

Answer 7

Biodegradable Polymers:

• Corn starch polymer; Natural bio-polymer, made from high-starch vegetables, such as corn, potatoes and maize. Used for; packaging products, straws, vending cups, disposable cutlery, bags.
• Potatopak; Natural bio-polymer, made from potato starch. Used for; single-use, food items such as bowls, cutlery, food trays, serviettes.
• Biopol; [PHB], natural bio-polymer, a bio-batch additive, made from bacteria grown in cultures. Used for; packaging products such as films, carrier bags, vending cups, nappies.

Question 8

Biodegradable Polymers:

• Pol_____ ac__; [PLA], sy______ bi_-_______, made from ____ _____ and ___ ____, ______ to _____ ____ ____ and then _________ to produce ______ ____. Used for; ______, ____-__ ______, _____ ____, ____ ____, _____ ________.
• Pol____drox______; [PHA], na____ bi_-_______, made from ______ grown in ____, fully ________. Used for; _________, medical used such ___ _____ _______, _______ and ____ plates.
• Lac_____; Sy_____ bi_-_______, ___ and _______ based, fully _______ and ____ soluble. Used for; _______ application, ____-____ _______, ____ _____ fixings, _______ washing _______.
• Gly______; Sy______ bi_-_______, ___ and ______ based, fully ________. Used for; ____ film, _____, _________ wrap, ___ bags, ____ wrap.

Answer 8

Biodegradable Polymers:

• Polylactic acid; [PLA], synthetic bio-polymer, made from corn kernels and cane sugar, fermented to produce lactic acid and then synthesised to produce polylactic acid. Used for; packaging, single-use bottles, carrier bags, plan pots, disposable nappies.
• Polyhydroxyalkanoate; [PHA], natural bio-polymer, made from bacteria grown in cultures, fully compostable. Used for; packaging, medical used such slow release medication, screws and bone plates.
• Lactide; Synthetic bio-polymer, PLA and cellulose based, fully compostable and water soluble. Used for; biomedical application, slow-release medication, bone repair fixings, detergent washing sachets.
• Glycolide; Synthetic bio-polymer, PLA and cellulose based, fully compostable. Used for; food film, bags, packaging wrap, bin bags, flower wrap.