Ceramics, Polymers
Ceramics, Polymers
CHEMISTY: CERAMICS
Overview
o Ceramics are resistant to chemical erosion and high temperatures (up to 1600C)
PROPERTIES OF CERAMICS
o Mechanical properties
o In general ceramics have poor toughness and have low tensile strength
o Electrical properties
o Optical properties
TYPES OF CERAMICS
2. Refractory ceramics such as kiln lining, steel and glass making crucibles
4. Technical ceramics such as jet engine turbine blades, ballistic protection etc
MANUFACTURE OF CERAMICS
1. Milling
3. Techniques used include ball mill, roll crusher, jaw crusher, wet attrition mills
2. Batching
1. Is the process of weighing the oxides according to recipes and preparing them for
further processing
3. Mixing
4. Forming
1. This is the process of the making the mixed materials into desired shapes such as
toilet bowls, spark plugs etc
5. Drying
1. Controlled heat is applied to dry the materials and obtain rigid shape
6. Firing
1. Dried parts are processed through a controlled heating process and oxides are
chemically changed to cause sintering and bonding
BIO-CERAMICS
o Bacteria, plants and animals exhibit a tendency to form crystalline materials composed of
silicon
o Bio-ceramics are usually made of proteins such as keratin, elastin, chitin and collagen
o The mother-of-pearl portion of marine shells exhibit the strongest mechanical strength
and fracture toughness of any non-metallic substance known
APPLICATIONS OF CERAMICS
Armoured vests Alumina, boron carbide Protects against high-calibre rifle fire
Translucent
Leached granite (to remove
Chinaware
quartz and mica)
Resists scratching
White, semi-opaque
Hard, infusible
CHEMISTRY: POLYMERS
Overview
o The first plastic based on a synthetic polymer to be created was Bakelite, by Leo
Baekeland(Belgium/USA) in 1906
o The first plastic to be created was Parkesine (aka celluloid) invented by Alexander Parkes
(England) in 1855
Synthesis of polymers
o The synthesis of polymers both natural and synthetic involves the step called
polymerization
o Chain growth polymerization: monomers are added to the chain one at a time
o Natural polymers are usually created by enzyme-mediated processes, such as the synthesis
of proteins from amino acids using DNA and RNA
Categories of polymers
o Organic polymers are polymers that are based on the element carbon. Eg: polyethylene,
cellulose etc
o Inorganic polymers are polymers that are not based on carbon. Eg: silicone, which uses
silicon and oxygen
o Copolymer is one that is derived from two or more monomeric units. Eg: ABS plastic
o Fluoropolymers are polymers based on fluorocarbons. They have high resistance to solvents,
acids and bases. Eg: teflon
TYPES OF BIOPOLYMERS--
DNA as a biopolymer
1. Structural proteins
2. They are usually used to construct connective tissues, tendons, bone matrix, muscle
fibre
2. Functional proteins
3. Structural polysaccharides
1. They are carbohydrates that provide structural support to cells and tissues
4. Storage polysaccharides
5. Nucleic acids
2. Nucleic acids are universal in living beings, as they are found in all plant and animal
cells
1. Thermoplastics
2. Thermosetting plastics
1. Thermosettings plastics are plastics that do not turn into liquid upon heating
3. They are stronger, more suitable for high-temperature applications, but cannot be
easily recycled
3. Elastomers
Connective tissue
Collagen Most abundant protein in mammals
Gelatine (food)
Enzymes Catalysis
Constituent
Polymer Developed by Application Notes
elements
Alexander
Parkesine Parkes Cellulose Plastic moulding First man-made polymer
(Britain, 1855)
Leo Radios,
Phenol and First polymer made
Bakelite Baekeland telephones,
formaldehyde completely synthetically
(USA, 1906) clocks
Henri
Polyvinylchloride Vinyl groups Construction Third most widely used
Regnault
(PVC) and chlorine material plastic
(France, 1835)
Family of polyamides
Wallace Fabric,
Nylon Carothers Amides toothbrush, rope First commercially
(USA, 1935) etc successful synthetic
polymer
Textiles,
Karl Rehn and
stationary, Second most widely used
Polypropylene Guilio Natta Propene
automotive synthetic polymer
(Italy, 1954)
components
(Germany,
(shopping bags) polymer
1898)
DEGRADATION OF POLYMERS
o Degradation of polymers can be desirable as well undesirable: desirable when looking for
biological degradation, undesirable when faced with loss of strength, colour etc
o Polymer degradation usually occurs due to hydrolysis of covalent bonds connecting the
polymer chain
o Polymer degradation can happen because of heat, light, chemicals and galvanic action
o Ozone cracking is the cracking effect of ozone on rubber products such as tyres, seals,
fuel lines etc. Usually prevented by adding antiozonants to the rubber before vulcanization
o Resin Identification Code is the system of labelling plastic bottles on the basis of their
constituent polymers. This Code helps in the sorting and recycling of plastic bottles
Biodegradable plastics
o Biodegradable plastics are plastics than can break down upon exposure to sunlight
(especially UV), water, bacteria etc
Bioplastics
o They are organic plastics derived from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable oil,
corn, starch etc
Oxy-biodegradable plastics
o As long as the plastic has access to oxygen the metal salts speed up process of degradation