Some familiar household synthetic polymers include: Nylons in textiles and fabrics, Teflon in non-stick pans, Bakelite for electrical switches, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in pipes, etc. The common PET bottles are made of a synthetic polymer, polyethylene terephthalate. The plastic kits and covers are mostly made of synthetic polymers like polythene, and tires are manufactured from polybutadienes.[1] However, due to the environmental issues created by these synthetic polymers which are mostly non-biodegradable and often synthesized from petroleum, alternatives like bioplastics are also being considered. They are however expensive when compared to the synthetic polymers.[2]
See main article: Inorganic polymer.
The eight most common types of synthetic organic polymers, which are commonly found in households are:
| Polymer | Abbreviation | Properties | Uses | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDPE | Squeeze bottles, toys, flexible pipes, insulation cover (electric wires), six-pack rings, etc. | ||||
| HDPE | Bottles, pipes, inner insulation (dielectric) of coax cable (see also PTFE), plastic bags, etc. | ||||
| PP | Resistant to acids and alkalies, High tensile strength | Auto parts, industrial fibers, food containers, liner in bags, dishware and as a wrapping material for textiles and food | |||
| Polystyrene (thermocole) | PS | Thermal insulator. Properties depends on the form, expanded form is tough and rigid | |||
| PTFE | Very low coefficient of friction, excellent dielectric properties, chemically inert | Low friction bearings, non-stick pans, inner insulation (dielectric) of coax cable (see also HDPE), coating against chemical attack etc. | |||
| PVC | Insulator, flame retardant, chemically inert | Pipe (mainly draining), fencing, lawn chairs, hand-bags, curtain clothes, non-food bottles, raincoats, toys, vinyl flooring, electrical installation insulations, etc. | |||
| PCTFE | valves, seals, gaskets etc. |
These polymers are often better known through their brand names, for instance:
| Brand Name | Polymer | Characteristic properties | Uses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High electric, heat and chemical resistance | Insulation of wires, manufacturing sockets, electrical devices, brake pads, etc. | |||
| Para-aramid fibre | Manufacturing armour, sports and musical equipment. Used in the field of cryogenics | |||
| Heat resistant and strong fibre | Bullet-proof body armor, helmets, brake pads, ropes, cables and optical fibre cables, etc. and as an asbestos substitute | |||
| Polyethylene terephthalate film | High strength and stiffness, less permeable to gases, almost reflects light completely | Food packaging, transparent covering over paper, reflector for rollsigns and solar cooking stoves | ||
| Manufacturing gaskets, corrosion resistant coatings, waterproof seat covers, substitute for corks and latex | ||||
| Silky, thermoplastic and resistant to biological and chemical agents | Stockings, fabrics, toothbrushes. Molded nylon is used in making machine screws, gears etc. | |||
| Meta-aramid polymer | Excellent thermal, chemical, and radiation resistance, rigid, durable and fireproof. | Hood of firefighter's mask, electrical lamination of circuit boards and transformer cores and in Thermal Micrometeoroid Garment | ||
| Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) | Wool-like, resistant to chemicals, oils, moths and sunlight | Used for making clothes and fabrics like sweaters, hats, yarns, rugs, etc., and as a precursor of carbon fibres | ||
| Rilsan | Polyamide 11 & 12 | Used in high-performance applications such as sports shoes, electronic device components, automotive fuel lines, pneumatic airbrake tubing, oil and gas flexible pipes and control fluid umbilicals, and catheters. | ||
| High tensile strength, resistance to corrosion, heat, chemicals and saltwater | Used for manufacturing optical fiber cables, umbilical cables, drumheads, automotive industry, ropes, wire ropes and cables | |||
| Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) | Very low coefficient of friction, excellent dielectric properties, high melting, chemically inert | Plain bearings, gears, non-stick pans, etc. due to its low friction. Used as a tubing for highly corrosive chemicals. | ||
| Heat,flame and solvent resistant. Has high dielectric strength | Used in medical and chemical instrumentation, also in guitar picks | |||
| High thermal and chemical stability. Golden color. Has high strength, low creep, and is moisture resistant | Used as reinforcing fibres for ropes, cables, sailcloth. Also used in manufacturing badminton strings, bike tires and in electronics applications. Is the key component of a line of inflatable spacecraft developed by Bigelow Aerospace | |||
| Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) | Depends on the grade of the polymer. Viton B is used in chemical process plants and gaskets. | |||
| poly-p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole (PBO) | Very high tensile strength and thermal stability | Used in tennis racquets, table tennis blades, body armor, etc. |
See main article: Resin identification code and Plastic recycling.