Polymers

Question 1

What is a thermoforming polymer?

Answer 1

a polymer that does not resist heat well and can be recycled by heating, melting and reforming

Question 2

Name 9 thermoforming polymers?

Answer 2

PMMA, HDPE, PET, HIPS, PVC, PP, LDPE, Nylon, ABS

Question 3

PMMA

Answer 3

acrylic-hard, stiff and brittle. Used in bath tubs, shop signage and displays and car light units

Question 4

HDPE

Answer 4

high-density polyethylene-light, stiff and strong. Used in washing-up bowls, buckets, bottles and pipes

Question 5

PET

Answer 5

polyethylene terephthalate-light, strong and tough. Used in drink bottles and food packaging

Question 6

HIPS

Answer 6

high impact polystyrene-hard and rigid. Used for vacuum forming and fabricating

Question 7

PVC

Answer 7

polyvinyl chloride-durable, can be rigid or flexible. Used for window frames, pipes and guttering

Question 8

PP

Answer 8

polypropylene-tough, flexible and good heat and chemical resistance. Used for medical equipment, food packaging film and toys

Question 9

What is a thermosetting polymer?

Answer 9

a plastic that resists heat and fire and therefore is not recyclable as it cannot be melted and reshaped again

Question 10

Name 5 thermosetting polymers?

Answer 10

ER, UF, MF, PF, PR

Question 11

ER

Answer 11

epoxy resin-good electrical insulator and durable. Used for circuit boards and adhesives

Question 12

UF

Answer 12

urea formaldehyde-stiff and hard and good electrical insulator. Used for plug sockets and cupboard handles

Question 13

MF

Answer 13

melamine formaldehyde-strong and scratch resistant. Used to laminate chipboard and for plates and bowls

Question 14

PF

Answer 14

phenol formaldehyde-hard, heat resistant, good electrical insulator and easily moulded. Used for electrical fittings, saucepan handles and bowling balls.

Question 15

PR

Answer 15

polyester resin-hard and stiff. Added to glass fibres to form glass-reinforced plastic for kayaks. Waterproof so used in shower stalls and garden furniture.

Question 16

Name 6 polymer additives?

Answer 16

plasticisers, pigments, stabilisers, fillers, flame retardants, biodegradable

Question 17

plasticisers make a polymer…

Answer 17

soft and flexible (often PVC)

Question 18

what do pigments do to polymers?

Answer 18

change the colour

Question 19

stabilisers make a polymer…

Answer 19

withstand UV light damage *(outdoor products)

Question 20

what do fillers do to polymers?

Answer 20

increase the bulk, improve its impact resistance

Question 21

Properties of LDPE?

Answer 21

Very tough
Good chemical resistance
Weatherproof
Available in translucent
Low rigidity

Question 22

Uses of LDPE?

Answer 22

Soap bottles
Carrier bags
Bin liners
Food wrap film
General packaging

Question 23

Properties of ABS?

Answer 23

Extremely tough
Hard
Available in opaque

Question 24

Uses of ABS?

Answer 24

Computer housings
Rigid luggage
Domestic appliances

Question 25

Properties of nylon?

Answer 25

Tough Corrosion resistant Temperature resistant Low coefficient of friction

Question 26

Uses of nylon?

Answer 26

Textiles Cable ties Curtain rails

Question 27

What are elastomers?

Answer 27

Polymers with good elasticity-they can be distorted under a force but will return to their original shape when the force is removed

Question 28

What are the 2 categories of elastomers?

Answer 28

Thermoforming Thermosetting

Question 29

Properties of natural rubber?

Answer 29

High tensile strength Low elongation Good hardness compared to other elastomers Tough Electrical insulator Good cold resistance

Question 30

Uses of natural rubber?

Answer 30

Tyres Hoses Balloons Footwear

Question 31

Properties of Butadiene rubber (BR)?

Answer 31

Tough Excellent wear resistance against friction Good thermal resistance against friction Electrical insulator

Question 32

Uses of Butadiene rubber (BR)?

Answer 32

Vehicle tyres Shoe soles Conveyer belts Water hoses

Question 33

Properties of neoprene?

Answer 33

Good thermal resistance Tough Good oil and chemical resistance Excellent weather resistance Good abrasion resistance Electrical insulator

Question 34

Uses of neoprene?

Answer 34

Wetsuits Laptop cases Wire insulation Door seals Shock absorber seals

Question 35

Properties of silicone?

Answer 35

Good flexibility at low temperatures Poor abrasion resistance Good thermal resistance and resistance to extreme temperature Good lubricating properties Electrical insulator

Question 36

Uses of silicone?

Answer 36

Ice cube trays Cooking utensils Refrigerator seals Machinery lubricant Sealants

Question 37

What are biopolymers?

Answer 37

Polymers produced from natural and renewable resources

Question 38

What is a photodegradable polymer?

Answer 38

One that breaks down in the presence of UV light

Question 39

What is an oxydegradable polymer?

Answer 39

One that breaks down in the presence of oxygen

Question 40

What is a hydrodegradable polymer?

Answer 40

One that breaks down in the presence of water

Question 41

Give examples of some biopolymers

Answer 41

Potatopak PLA Corn starch polymer Lactose (PLA and cellulose based)

Question 42

How is lactide broken down?

Answer 42

It’s water soluble

Question 43

Name some different degradable polymer additives

Answer 43

Oxy-degradable additive Photodegradable additive Hydro-degradable additive

Question 44

Give an example use of oxy-degradable additive

Answer 44

LDPE carrier bags which results in the carrier bag breaking down into small confetti shapes and then into a powder

Question 45

Give an example use of photodegradable additive

Answer 45

In the agricultural industry where the ground is covered by a polymer sheet

Question 46

Give an example use of photodegradable additive

Answer 46

In the agricultural industry where the ground is covered by a polymer sheet

Question 47

Give an example use of hydrodegradable polymer

Answer 47

Liquid detergent sachets Large scale laundry bags

Question 48

Give some implications of biopolymers and biodegradable polymers

Answer 48

Biodegradable polymers can products methane gas when they decompose in landfill Biodegradable polymers can take I high temperatures to decompose and leave behind toxic residues Natural biopolymers need land to grow the material They can be processed in the same way as thermoplastics

Question 49

Explain properties and uses of corn starch polymer

Answer 49

Made from high starch vegetables such as corn, potatoes and maize. Packaging, straws, vending cup, disposable cutlery bags

Question 50

Explain properties and uses of potatopak

Answer 50

Made from potato starch. Single use food items such as bowls, cutlery and trays

Question 51

Explain properties and uses of biopol

Answer 51

Made from bacteria grown in cultures Additive to promote degradation Packaging products like films and carrier bags

Question 52

Explain properties and uses of PLA

Answer 52

Made from corn kernels or cane sugar Fermented to produce lactic acid, then synthesised to produce polylactic acid Used in 3D printing, packaging, single use bottles

Question 53

Explain properties and uses of lactide

Answer 53

Made from bacteria grown in cultures Fully compostable Packaging Slow release medication patches

Question 54

Explain properties and uses of lactide

Answer 54

Fully compostable Water soluble PLA and cellulose Detergent washing sachets

Question 55

Explain properties and uses of glycoside

Answer 55

Fully compostable Food film Agricultural ground sheet Packaging wrap

Question 56

Name some additives

Answer 56

Lubricants Thermal antioxidants Pigment Antistatics Flame retardants Plasticisers Fillers Antioxidants UV light stabilisers Biodegradable plasticisers Bio-batch additives