Polymers - Sources and Origins

Question 1

Where are most polymers obtained from

Answer 1

Crude oil

Question 2

Where are the biggest reserves of cruse oil

Answer 2

Middle east

South America

Question 3

Give some environmental impacts

Answer 3

Seismic tests (underground explosions) are carried out to find crude oil in remote explosions

Bore holes are drilled into the ground to see if the oil is commercially accessible

Transportation is carried out by pumping cruse oil across vast areas of land in pipelines and shipping it across oceans in oil tankers

Excavate the area

Question 4

How is cruse oil transformed into something useful

Answer 4

Fractional Distillation

Question 5

In fractional distillation, it is transformed into different………….products

Answer 5

Petrochemical

Question 6

Give one specific petrochemical product that is used to make polymers

Answer 6

Naphtha

Question 7

Naphtha is still made up of a mixture of……………..

Answer 7

Hydrocarbons

Question 8

Where does the process of polymerisation take place

Answer 8

Polymerisation reactor

Involves a chemical reaction that links the monomers together into polymer chains

Question 9

Different monomers linked together in different ways to give each polymer……………….

Answer 9

Unique properties

Question 10

Give some factors to consider when selecting a material for a commercial product

Answer 10

Cost
Availability
Environmental impact

Question 11

The properties of polymers can be altered by the addition of……………

Answer 11

Additives

Question 12

What do plasticisers do

Answer 12

Enhance the flexibility of a polymer

Question 13

Pigments

Answer 13

Change the colour

Question 14

Fillers

Answer 14

Make the polymer stronger and improve impact resistance

Glass strands typical fillers

Question 15

Flame Retardants

Answer 15

Prevent or slow down the rate at which they burn

Question 16

Stabilisers

Answer 16

Resist UV degradation

Question 17

Antistatic’s

Answer 17

Reduce static

Question 18

What would you use to mark out a polymer

Answer 18

Spirit based pen or china glass pencil
Mark the surface without scratching it

Plastic rule - metal rule could damage the surface of polymer

Question 19

What plastic is ideal for cutting on the laser cutter

Answer 19

Acrylic

Some cannot be cut by laser and will have to be cut with saws or knives

Question 20

Give some ways in which you can shape polymers

Answer 20

Line bending = forming a straight bend in thermoforming polymer

Vacuum Forming = More complex shapes (HDPE)

Metal work files

Woodworking planes

Question 21

How con welding be done on polymers

Answer 21

Solvent adhesive such as Tensol cement

the surface of the polymer must be free form dust or dirt and the solvent is applied with a spatula

Tw surfaces are pressed together

Solvent will melt the two surfaces and they will fuse together forming a joint

Question 22

Give a commercial method of welding

Answer 22

Hot air gun to melt the two surfaces or by using hot metal clamps to form a seal on thin polymer sheets

Question 23

What is casting

Answer 23

Can be used to certain thermosetting polymers to form incarnate shapes

Us process to make jewellery

You must first have a mould

Question 24

Give the casting process

Answer 24

Pour the required volume of resin into s suitable pot
Add a colour pigment if required
Add the correct quantity of hardener
Mix ingredients with a spatula
Pour mixture into mould and allow to set
Surface can be polished

Question 25

Give some stock forms of polymers

Answer 25

Sheets - standard sheets of acrylic

Granules - Used in process such as injection moulding

Extrusions - Tubes, rods

Powders - Thermoset polymers generally found in powder form

Foams - Vary in thickness
Used in protective packaging and swimming pool floats

Films - Variety of thicknesses

PLA Filament - More recent common stock form
Used in 3D printing

Question 26

Give one advantage of using a polymer hinge

Answer 26

Use the adhesive to join the two parts together instead of having to use nuts and bolts