The World of Plastics and Polymers

In 1907 Leo Bakeland patented Bakelite®, the first fully synthetic polymer. This hard plastic was used as an electrical insulator and paved the way for the more than 60,000 different synthetic plastics on the market today. Each year companies manufacture more than 30 million tons of plastics that are used in myriad of applications. We wear clothes containing polyester and nylon fibers, eat food packaged in polyethylene containers, drink water delivered through polyvinyl chloride pipes, walk on carpets made of polyolefin fibers, and sleep on mattresses made of polyurethane foam. The variety of applications of synthetic polymers is mind-boggling. The table lists some of the major classes of polymers and describes some of their useful properties and uses.

Uses of Polymers
Polymer	Properties	Applications
neoprene	very chemical resistant, rubbery	shoe soles, hoses, radiator hoses, wetsuits
polyamide (nylon)	fibrous, strong, durable, moisture resistant	parachutes, carpet, ropes, form-fitting skiwear, hosiery, swimware, boat sails
polyacrylonitrile	resinous, fibrous, or rubbery, combines with butadiene and styrene to form hard, tough ABS copolymer	ABS plumbing pipe, structural panels, kettle handles, housewares; Orlon® fabric
polychloro-trifluoroethylene	can be molded by extrusion, chemically resistant	gaskets, linings for containers, parts for valves and pumps
polyester	fibers recover quickly after extension and absorb very little moisture.	filters, conveyor belts, sleeping bag insulation, coat insulation, tire cords. Brand name polymers include: Dacron® , Fortrel® , Terylene® ; Mylar® & Lexan® .
polyethylene (high-density ) HDPE	can be easily formed into lightweight containers	milk, water, and juice containers; toys, liquid detergent bottles
polyethylene (low-density) LDPE	can be stretched into fine, tough, films.	bread bags, frozen food bags, grocery bags
polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETE)	strong, easily moldable, chemically resistant, light-weight	soft drink bottles, peanut butter jars, salad dressing bottles, nonbreakable bottles
polyolefin	fiber composed of at least 85% polyethylene or polypropylene	hosiery, sportswear, undergarments, pile fabrics, upholstery, outdoor furniture, indoor carpeting, indoor-outdoor rugs and carpets, filters, marine cordage, automobile seat covers, electrical insulation, carpet backing
polystyrene	thermoplastic; resists attack by acids, alkalis, and many solvents, does not absorb water; excellent electrical insulator.	Styrofoam® cups, grocery store meat trays, fast-food sandwich containers, video cassette cases, compact disk jackets, cafeteria trays, refrigerator insulation
polysulfone	tough, strong, stiff, chemically and thermally resistant	household and plumbing items, various automotive parts, wire coatings
polytetrafluoro- ethylene (PTFE)	strong, tough, waxy, nonflammable, chemically resistant, slippery surface, thermally stable	· Viton® : gaskets, bearings, linings for containers and pipes. · Teflon® : non-stick cookware, cooking utensils, pump valves, plumbing tape.
polyurethane	flexible foams, highly elastic quick drying fibers, or hard-drying films	· flexible foams: upholstery material, mattresses · rigid foams: cores for airplane wings · fibers: spandex clothing fiber, support hosiery; Lycra® , Numa® , Spandelle® , and Vyrene®. · hard films: polyurethane varnishes
polyvinyl alcohol	colorless, water-soluble, flammable resin	component in: adhesives, emulsifiers, lacquers, coatings, and films
polyvinyl chloride	rigid when unplasticized; flexible when plasticized	· unplasticized form: water pipe, plumbing fittings, phonograph records, synthetic floor tiles, credit cards · plasticized form: raincoats, shower curtains, and packaging films.
polyvinyl fluoride	resistant to attack by chemicals or by weathering	protective films for: building sidings, pipes, corrosive chemical containers
polyvinylacetate	water-insoluble resin	carpet backings; film-forming ingredient of water-based (latex) paints, adhesives, lacquers, and cements

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