Polymers Flashcards
How do thermoplastics return to there original shape?
They have a ‘plastic memory’ that is when they are heated they soften and return to their original shape.
Why are thermoplastics bad for products at high temperatures?
The soften at low temperatures (as low as 100°C). However they are the most commonly used.
How do thermosetting plastics form?
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.
What are elastomers?
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.
What about the long-chain molecules in elastomers that make them have good elasticity?
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.
What are the two types of elastomers?
Thermosetting elastomer
Thermoplastic elastomer
What are thermosetting elastomers?
Natural or synthetic rubbers, cannot be recycled or reshaped
What are thermoplastic elastomers?
It can be reheated and reshaped therefore recycled, can be manufactured using conventional equipment such as injection moulding or blow moulding.
What are the thermoplastics?
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
Acrylonitrile Butafine Styrene (ABS)
Nylon
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
UPVC
Polyvinyl chloride PVC, Polypropylene
PMMA (Acrylic)
High-density polyethylene HDPE
What are examples of thermosetting plastics?
Polyester resin, Melamine formaldehyde, Epoxy resin, Urea Formaldehyde
What are examples of elastomers?
Natural rubber (polyisoprene), Buradiene rubber (BR), Silicone, Neoprene (Polychloroprene rubber)
What polymer can an inflatable pool be made out of?
Flexible Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
What polymer can a car headlight be made out of?
Acrylic (PMMA)
What can an electric socket be made out of?
Urea Formaldehyde (UF)
What polymer can a plastic folder be made out of?
Polypropylene (PP)
What polymer can a car fuller object (what you use to put fuel in a car) be made of?
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
How do you enhance polymers?
Enhancing a polymers properties is done by using additives.
Why do we enhance polymers?
It is a way of improving a materials properties to better suit the requirements of the final product.
Name all the polymer enhancements
- Lubricants
- Thermal antioxidants
- Pigments
- Antistatics
- Flame retardants
- Plasticiser
- Biodegradable plasticisers
- Antioxidants
- UV light stabilisers
What are pigments?
Tiny particles that are mixed into the polymer in its molten state to give colour to the final processed product.
What are Biodegradable plasticisers
These make the polymer more flexible, softer and easier to break down which means faster degradation time.