Polymers, Characteristics And Common Uses

Question 1

ABS

Answer 1

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

High strength
Good toughness
Scratch resistant
Durable

Kitchen products 
Mobile phone cases
Pc monitor cases 
Safety helmets 
Toys 
Domestic phones 
Some car parts

Question 2

CA

Answer 2

Cellulose acetate

Tough and rigid
Lightweight and good strength
Transparent
Nonflammable

Photographic camera films
Cutlery handles
Cupboard door knobs
Glasses frames

Question 3

Nylon

Answer 3

Polyamide

Hard
Tough
Resistant to wear with low coefficient of friction

Bearings 
Gears
Curtain rail fittings 
Clothing 
Some cutlery handles etc

Question 4

PMMA

Polymethyl meth acrylate

Answer 4

Acrylic

Good safe 
Tough 
Hard 
Durable 
Easily machined 

Light units
Illuminated signs
Lenses for car lights

Question 5

PP

Answer 5

Polypropylene

Lightweight
Food safe
Impact resistance
Good chemical resistance

Kitchen produce such as food containers
Medical equipment
String and rope

Question 6

HIPS

Answer 6

High impact Polystyrene

Good impact resistance
Good strength
Stiff
Lightweight

Toys
Refrigerator linings

Question 7

PS

Answer 7

Polystyrene

Lightweight
Rigid
Colourless
Low impact strength

Packaging
Disposable cups
Plates and containers

Question 8

Expanded Polystyrene

Answer 8

Floats
Good sound and heat insulator
Lightweight
Low impact strength

Question 9

LDPE

Answer 9

Low density polystyrene

Low density/ light weight
Low stiffness
Rigid
Good chemical resistance

Detergent bottles
Toys
Carrier bags

Question 10

HDPE

Answer 10

High density polystyrene

High density/ heavy
Good stiffness
Good chemical resistance

Crates
Bottles
Buckets
Bowels

Question 11

uPVC

Answer 11

Polyvinyl chloride

Good chemical resistance 
Resistant to weathering 
Rigid 
Tough 
Hard 
Light
Can be coloured 

Pipes
Buttering
Window frames
Bottles

Question 12

PVC (unplasticised/ flexible)

Answer 12

Polyvinyl chloride

Good chemical resistance 
Resistance to weathering
Rigid 
Hard 
Tough 
Light 
Can be coloured 

Water hoses
Cable insulation

Question 13

PET

Answer 13

Polyethylene terephthalate

Moderate chemical resistance

Fibres are used for clothing
Blow mounded bottles for drinks
Electrical plug sockets
Insulation tape

Question 14

PC

Answer 14

Polycarbonate

Good chemical resistance
Expensive in comparison to other polymers

Very tough so is used for protective shields such as safety glass, and helmets
Hairdryer bodies
Telephone parts
Vandal proof street light covers

Question 15

Epoxy Resin

Answer 15

High strength when reinforced with fibres (GRP- glass reinforced polymer)
Good chemical and wear resistance

Surface coatings
Adhesives

Question 16

Melamine formaldehyde

Answer 16

Rigid 
Good strength 
Hard
Scratch resistance 
Can be Coloured 

Tableware
Decorative laminates for work surfaces

Question 17

Polyester resins

Answer 17

Rigid
Brittle
Good gear and chemical resistance

Castings
Used is GRP (boat and car parts)

Question 18

Urea Formaldehyde

Answer 18

Rigid 
Hard 
Tough 
Brittle 
High strength 
Good electrical insulator 

Electrical fittings
adhesives

Question 19

Name the 3 types of polymers

Answer 19

Thermoplastics
Thermosets
Elastomers

Question 20

What is cellulose

Answer 20

This material can can be used to produce a cellulose based polymer