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COMMON SYNTHETIC PLASTICS

INRODUCTION Plastic molecules are made of long chains of repeating units called monomers. The atoms that make up a plastics monomers and the arrangement of the monomers within the molecule both determine many of the plastics properties. Plastics are one of the classification of polymers .If a polymer is shaped into hard and tough utility articles by the application of heat and pressure ,it is used as plastic.

Synthetic polymers are often referred to as "plastics", such as the well-known polyethylene and nylon. However, most of them can be classified in at least three main categories: thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers. Man-made polymers are used in a bewildering array of applications: food packaging, films, fibers, tubing, pipes, etc. The personal care industry also uses polymers to aid in texture of products, binding etc. Examples A non-exhaustive list of these ubiquitous materials includes: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polyamide (PA) polybutadiene poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) polycarbonate poly(ether sulphone) (PES, PES/PEES) polyethylene (PE) poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) polyimide polypropylene (PP ) polystyrene (PS) styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) polyurethane (PU) polyvinylchloride (PVC)

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SOME COMMONLY USED SYNTHETIC PLASTICS After the First World War, improvements in chemical technology led to an explosion in new forms of plastics. Among the earliest examples in the wave of new plastics were "polystyrene" (PS) and "polyvinyl chloride" (PVC), developed by the I.G. Farben company of Germany.

POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely-used plastic. In terms of revenue generated, it is one of the most valuable products of the chemical industry. Globally, over 50% of PVC manufactured is used in construction. As a building material PVC is cheap, and easy to assemble. In recent years, PVC has been replacing traditional building materials such as wood, concrete and clay in many areas. Despite appearing to be an ideal building material, PVC has high environmental and human health costs. PVC has side chains incorporating chlorine atoms, which form strong bonds. PVC in its normal form is stiff, strong, heat and weather resistant, and is now used for making plumbing, gutters, house siding, enclosures for computers and other electronics gear, and compact-disk media. PVC can also be softened with chemical processing, and in this form it is now used for food packaging, and raingear. History Polyvinyl chloride was accidentally discovered on at least two occasions in the 19th century, first in 1838 by Henri Victor Regnault and in 1872 by Eugen Baumann. On both occasions, the polymer appeared as a white solid inside flasks of vinyl chloride that had been left exposed to sunlight. In the early 20th century, the Russian chemist Ivan Ostromislensky and Fritz Klatte of the German chemical company Griesheim-Elektron both attempted to use PVC in commercial products, but difficulties in processing the rigid, sometimes brittle polymer blocked their efforts. In 1926, Waldo Semon of B.F. Goodrich developed a method to plasticize PVC by blending it with various additives. The result was a more flexible and more easily processed material that soon achieved widespread commercial use. . Dangers of PVC Most vinyl products are believed to be generally harmless when used properly. However, some of the additives and softeners leach out of certain vinyl products. Even though soft PVC toys have been made for babies for years, studies find that these additives leach out of soft toys into the mouths of the children chewing on them.. In Europe, phthalate additives in PVC toys for children under the age of three have been banned and in the USA, most companies have voluntarily stopped manufacturing PVC toys for this age group or have eliminated the phthalates. However, alternative softeners have

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not been properly tested to determine whether they are safe. Other vinyl products like brand new car interiors, shower curtains, and flooring, to name a few, initially release chemical gases into the air. Some studies indicate that this outgassing of additives may contribute to health complications, but the information on this is preliminary and needs further study. PREPARATION OF PVC It is obtained by heating a water emulsion of vinyl chloride in presence of small amount hydrogen peroxide under pressure. H \\ / H H / ----------------- - - -> \\ Cl H | | H Cl H | | H H | | Cl H | |

C == C

-- C -- C -- C -- C --

vinyl chloride monomer PROPERTIES Most widely used synthetic plastic Odourless Inflammable Chemically inert Resistant to light,atmospheric oxygen

polyvinyl chloride polymer

It has greater stiffness compared to polyethylene , but is brittle

USES 1.Rigid PVC or Sheets Light fittings Safety helmets Tyres Cycle and motorcycle 2. Plasticized It is PVC used for mudguards unplasticized PVC It is used for making

Packing rain coats ,tablecloths, curtains etc Injection moulding of toys, tool handles, radio components etc Making chemical containers, conveyor belts etc

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POLYSTYRENE Polystyrene is a rigid, brittle plastic that is now used to make plastic model kits, disposable eating utensils, and similar knicknacks.It is a Thermoplastic; transparent; nontoxic substance optical and electrical properties; easy to color; resistant to X rays, oils, and grease Preparation: v By polymerization of styrene in presence of catalyst like benzoyl peroxide. PROPERTIES Thermoplastic Transparent Nontoxic; Optical and electrical properties; Easy to color; Resistant to X rays, oils, and grease Light Excellent moisture resistant USED AS Plastic wrap, Kitchen utensils Furniture covers Toys, office supplies, disposable razors Thermal insulation having

POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE (PMMA) It Optical is also called lucite or plexiglass.It is a rigid and hard material .It has out standing shape- forming properties.It is amorphous by nature.. clarity is the main feature of this material.Hence it is an excellent substitute for glass.It depolymerised to yield back entire quantity of monomer.. can be thermally preparation v by polymerisation It is light Low USES It is used for making lenses Aircraft light fixtures Artificial eyes of methyl methacrylate in presence of hydrogen peroxide

a fairly rigid material with high softening point of about 130 - 140 degree Celsius accurately even in curved sections . chemical resistance..

It has high optical transparency, high resistance to sunlight and ability of transmitting

Low scratch resistance.

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Emulsions Paints Adhesives jewellery Wind screens

3.Polyethylene (PE) Another important plastic, "polyethylene" (PE), sometimes known as "polythene", was discovered in 1933 by the Reginald Gibson and Eric Fawcett at the British industrial giant Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). This material evolved into two forms, "low density polyethylene" (LDPE), and "high density polyethylene" (HDPE). Preparation: vBy polymerization H \\ / H H / ------------- -> \\ H H C == C of ethylene as shown below H | | H | | H H | | H

-- C -- C -- C --

ethylene monomer PROPERTIES PEs are Cheap Flexible Durable chemically resistant. Rigid Waxy and white Translucent It is USES Making etc

polyethylene polymer

a good insulator of electricity high frequency insulator parts

Making bottle caps Toys, sheets for packing

LDPE is used to make films and packaging materials, while HDPE is used for containers, plumbing, and automotive fittings.

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Whenever high tensile strength and stiffness are required, high density polyethylene finds better use..

5.POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE visualised as

(PTFE) PTFE also known as TEFLON in trade also a linear polymer may be

polyethylene with all its hydrogen atoms substituted by fluorine. PTFE with practically no

molecule has a highly regular structure .It is resistant Preparation: vIt is obtained by in presence polymerization of

branches .. Chemically inert, antiadhesive, impermeable to water and grease, heat and corrosion

tetrafluoro ethylene, under pressure of heat and if

of catalyst like benzoyl peroxide. with release of large quantities violent explosions ..

v The polymerisation is associated

sufficient precautions are not taken this can result in

REFERENCES 1. Processes and Materials of Manufacture by R.A. LINDBERG SEMINAR TOPIC FROM :: www.edufive.com/seminartopics.html

2. 3. 4.

www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia www.me.sc.edu

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