Polymers Flashcards

1
Q

How do thermoplastics return to there original shape?

A

They have a ‘plastic memory’ that is when they are heated they soften and return to their original shape.

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2
Q

Why are thermoplastics bad for products at high temperatures?

A

The soften at low temperatures (as low as 100°C). However they are the most commonly used.

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3
Q

How do thermosetting plastics form?

A

When they are being formed a chemical reaction occurs causing them to create strong links or cross chains in their structure, which means that when they are permanently formed, they cannot be softened by reheating.

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4
Q

What are elastomers?

A

These are polymers that have good elasticity I.e. they can be distorted under pressure but will return to its original shape when the pressure is removed.

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5
Q

What about the long-chain molecules in elastomers that make them have good elasticity?

A

They have long-chain molecules considered to be coils (similar to springs); when the material is distorted (compressed or stretched) the molecules distort, and then released they return to their original shape.

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6
Q

What are the two types of elastomers?

A

Thermosetting elastomer
Thermoplastic elastomer

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7
Q

What are thermosetting elastomers?

A

Natural or synthetic rubbers, cannot be recycled or reshaped

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8
Q

What are thermoplastic elastomers?

A

It can be reheated and reshaped therefore recycled, can be manufactured using conventional equipment such as injection moulding or blow moulding.

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9
Q

What are the thermoplastics?

A

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
Acrylonitrile Butafine Styrene (ABS)
Nylon
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
UPVC
Polyvinyl chloride PVC, Polypropylene
PMMA (Acrylic)
High-density polyethylene HDPE

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10
Q

What are examples of thermosetting plastics?

A

Polyester resin, Melamine formaldehyde, Epoxy resin, Urea Formaldehyde

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11
Q

What are examples of elastomers?

A

Natural rubber (polyisoprene), Buradiene rubber (BR), Silicone, Neoprene (Polychloroprene rubber)

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12
Q

What polymer can an inflatable pool be made out of?

A

Flexible Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

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13
Q

What polymer can a car headlight be made out of?

A

Acrylic (PMMA)

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14
Q

What can an electric socket be made out of?

A

Urea Formaldehyde (UF)

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15
Q

What polymer can a plastic folder be made out of?

A

Polypropylene (PP)

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16
Q

What polymer can a car fuller object (what you use to put fuel in a car) be made of?

A

High-density polyethylene (HDPE)

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17
Q

How do you enhance polymers?

A

Enhancing a polymers properties is done by using additives.

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18
Q

Why do we enhance polymers?

A

It is a way of improving a materials properties to better suit the requirements of the final product.

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19
Q

Name all the polymer enhancements

A
  • Lubricants
  • Thermal antioxidants
  • Pigments
  • Antistatics
  • Flame retardants
  • Plasticiser
  • Biodegradable plasticisers
  • Antioxidants
  • UV light stabilisers
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20
Q

What are pigments?

A

Tiny particles that are mixed into the polymer in its molten state to give colour to the final processed product.

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21
Q

What are Biodegradable plasticisers

A

These make the polymer more flexible, softer and easier to break down which means faster degradation time.

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22
Q

What are polymer characteristics?

A
  • Toughness
  • Elasticity
  • Insulation (thermal and electrical)
  • UV resistance
  • Ability to be moulded
  • Resistance to chemicals and liquids
  • High/low melting points
  • Suitability for food packaging applications
  • Biodegradability
  • Recyclability
  • Self finishing
  • Ability to be combined with other polymers and/or polymers
23
Q

What can bio-polymers designed for?

A

It can be designed to degrade in as little time as a few months to a couple of years

24
Q

Degradation occurs in the presence of?

A
  • Light (photodegradable)
  • Oxygen (oxy-degradable)
  • Water (hydro-degradable)
25
Q

What is a natural bio-polymer?

A

It is made from natural materials such as cellulose starch and polysaccharides

26
Q

What is a synthetic bio-polymer?

A

It is made from the renewable resources but chemically engineered (synthesised) to break down more quickly

27
Q

What are examples of biodegradable polymers?

A
  • Corn starch polymer
  • Potatopak
  • Biopol
  • PLA
  • PHA
  • Lactide
  • Eco Film
28
Q

What are the stock forms of polymers?

A
  • Sheet
  • Film
  • Granules
  • Rod and other extruded forms
  • Foam
  • Powder
29
Q

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) properties and uses

A

Thermoplastic
Properties: Very tough, good chemical resistance, weatherproof, available in translucent, low level of rigidity.
Safe working temperature 65 °C

Uses: Squeezy detergent bottles, toys, carrier bags, bin liners, general packaging, food wrap film, food trays

30
Q

High density polyethylene (HDPE) properties and uses

A

Thermoplastic
Properties: Available in translucent form, weatherproof, tough, good chemical resistance.
Safe working temperature 65 °C.

Uses: Chemical drums, jerry cans, toys, household and kitchenware, long life carrier bags, buckets, bowls

31
Q

Polypropylene (PP) properties and uses

A

Thermoplastic
Properties: Available in translucent, good chemical resistance, tough, good fatigue resistance (hinge property).
Safe working temperature 100 °C.

Uses: Rope, folders, folio cases, food containers, medical equipment, hinged containers lids

32
Q

High impact polystyrene (HIPS) properties and uses

A

Thermoplastic
Properties: Hard, rigid, available in translucent, tough. Safe working temperature 70 °C.

Uses: Yoghurt pots, refrigerator linings, single use drink cups, toilet seats, instrument control knobs

33
Q

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) properties and uses

A

Thermoplastic
Properties: Extremely tough, hard, available in opaque. Safe working temperature 80 °C.

Uses: Telephone handsets, rigid luggage, domestic appliances (food mixers), handles, computer housings, remote control casings, calculator casings

34
Q

Acrylic (PMMA) properties and uses

A

Thermoplastic
Properties: Tough, hard, good chemical resistance, available in translucent. Safe working temperature 95 °C

Uses: Car light casings, computer numerically controlled (CNC) laser cut items, lighting units, lighting covers, baths

35
Q

Nylon properties and uses

A

Thermoplastic
Properties: Tough, corrosion resistant, good temperature resistance, low coefficient of friction.
Safe working temperature 150 °C

Uses: Bearings, gears, curtain rails, textiles, boil-in-the-bag food packaging, car engine manifolds, cable ties

36
Q

Rigid polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) properties and uses

A

Thermoplastic
Properties: Rigid, opaque, tough, hard, good weathering resistance, good chemical resistance, fire retardant.
Safe working temperature 95 °C.

Uses: Window frames, external doors, guttering and downpipes for buildings, water service pipes, bank cards

37
Q

Flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) properties and uses

A

Thermoplastic
Properties: Available in translucent, tough, flexible, good weathering resistance, good chemical resistance.
Safe working temperature 95 °C.

Uses: Hose pipes, cable insulation, medical grade tubing, inflatable products, imitation leather, seat coverings

38
Q

Urea Formaldehyde (UF) properties and uses

A

Thermoset polymers
Properties: Hard, heat resistant, good electrical insulator, brittle.
Safe working temperature 80 °C

Uses: Electrical fittings, adhesives

39
Q

Melamine formaldehyde properties and uses

A

Thermoset polymers
Properties: Hard, opaque, tough, heat resistant food safe, chemical resistant. Safe working temperature 130 °C.

Uses: Decorative laminates, picnic ware, buttons

40
Q

Polyester resin properties and uses

A

Thermoset polymers
Properties: Rigid, heat resistant, chemical resistant, brittle. Safe working temperature 95 °C.

Uses: Castings, used in lay-up process for glass reinforced plastic (GRP) for boat hulls, car parts, chair seats

41
Q

Epoxy resin properties and uses

A

Thermoset polymers
Properties: Rigid, clear, hard, tough, chemical resistant. Safe working temperature 80–200 °C

Uses: Rigid, clear, hard, tough, chemical resistant. Safe working temperature 80–200 °C

42
Q

What ability do elastomers have?

A

All elastomers have the ability to be stretched to many times their original length and then, upon the removal of the tension, return to their original shape.

43
Q

Natural rubber properties and uses

A

Elastomer
Properties: High tensile strength, low elongation, good hardness compared to other elastomers, tough, electrical insulator, good cold resistance.

Uses: Automotive industry such as tyres, tubes, hoses, gaskets, belts, balloons, toys, footwear

44
Q

Butadine rubber properties and uses

A

Elastomer
Properties: Tough, excellent wear resistance against friction, good thermal resistance against friction, electrical insulator.

Uses: Vehicle tyres, shoe soles, toys, conveyor belts, water and pneumatic hoses

45
Q

Neoprene properties and uses

A

Elastomer
Properties: Good thermal resistance, toughness, good oil and chemical resistance, excellent weather resistance, good abrasion resistance and electrical insulator

Uses: Wetsuits, laptop cases, industrial wire insulation, automotive applications such as shock absorber seals, hose covers, transmission belts, gaskets and door seals

46
Q

Silicone properties and uses

A

Elastomer
Properties: Good flexibility at low temperatures, poor abrasion resistance, good thermal resistance and resistance to temperature extremes, good weather resistance, good lubricating qualities, electrical insulator

Uses: Flexible ice cube trays, bakeware, cooking utensils, seals for refrigerators, machinery lubricant, sealants, mould making, medical uses such as lubricants for prosthetics, tubing for drug delivery systems

47
Q

Corn starch polymer source and uses

A

Biodegradable polymer
Source: Bio-polymer (natural). Made from high starch vegetables such as corn, potatoes and maize.

Uses: Packaging products, straws, vending cups, disposable cutlery, bags, take-away food containers

48
Q

Potatopak source and uses

A

Biodegradable polymer
Source: Bio-polymer (natural). Made from potato starch.

Uses: Single use food items such as bowls, cutlery, food trays, serviettes, packaging beads or ‘peanuts’, bin bags

49
Q

Biopol source and uses

A

Biodegradable polymer
Source: Bio-polymer (natural).
Made from bacteria grown in cultures.
Additive to promote degradation. Usually 1 per cent added to thermoplastics.

Uses: Packaging products such as film, carrier bags, vending cups, nappies, surgical stitches, pill coverings

50
Q

Polylactide acid (PLA) source and uses

A

Biodegradable polymer
Source: Bio-polymer (synthetic).
Made from corn kernels or cane sugar, fermented to produce lactic acid, then synthesised to produce polylactic acid.

Uses: Packaging, single use bottles, carrier bags, plant pots, disposable nappies, medical sutures, 3D printing

51
Q

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) source and uses

A

Biodegradable polymer
Source: Bio-polymer (natural). Made from bacteria grown in cultures. Fully compostable.

Uses: Packaging, medical uses such as slow release medication patches, films, screws and bone plates

52
Q

Lactide source and uses

A

Biodegradable polymer
Source: Bio-polymer (synthetic). Fully compostable, water soluble. PLA and cellulose based.

Uses: Biomedical applications, slow release medication, bone repair fixings, detergent washing sachets

53
Q

Glycolide source and uses

A

Biodegradable polymer
Source: Bio-polymer (synthetic). Fully compostable. PLA and cellulose based.

Uses: Food film, bags, packaging wrap, bin bags, agricultural ground sheet, flower wrap