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1800-102-2727Polymers are advanced materials that may be found in nearly every item we use from toothbrushes we use in the morning, laptops we use in our offices to the blanket we wrap while sleeping. Polymers' relevance has been emphasised in recent years due to their applications in many research, technology, and industry fields, ranging from fundamental usage to biopolymers and medicinal polymers.
Polymer use is growing due to its unique properties: low density, low cost, strong thermal/electrical insulating capabilities, and great corrosion resistance.
So, let’s delve deeper and try to see where we see the applications and uses of polymers.
Table of contents
The backbone chain of many major polymers contains oxygen or nitrogen atoms in addition to carbon atoms. Among those, macromolecular materials with oxygen atoms are called polyacetals. Polyformaldehyde is the most basic polyacetal. It has a high melting point and is crystalline, resistant to abrasion and solvent action.
Organic polymers
Inorganic polymers
Diamond and graphite are examples of natural inorganic polymers. Both of them are made up of carbon atoms.
Uses of Synthetic polymers
Mixed organic-inorganic polymers and their uses
polymer |
Monomer |
uses |
Bakelite |
Phenol and formaldehyde |
Used in manufacturing of switches, cooker handles, Mugs, Buckets |
Teflon |
Tetrafluoro ethylene |
Non-stick cookwares |
PVC |
Vinyl chloride |
Used in manufacturing of raincoats, jackets, sports bags, making sewage pipes and other pipe applications |
Buna-S |
1,3-butadiene and styrene |
It is used for making tyres, footwear components, cable insulation etc. |
Natural rubber |
Isoprene( 2-methyl 1,3-butadiene) |
It is used in manufacturing automobile tyres, flooring carpets, kitchen, manufacturing gaskets etc. |
Buna-N |
1,3-butadiene and acrylonitrile |
It is used in the aeronautical and automotive industry to make fuel and oil handling hoses. |
Terylene |
Ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid |
It is mainly used in making, ropes, nets, sheets etc. |
Nylon-6,6 |
Adipic acid and hexamethylene diamine |
Making fabrics for sportswear, clothing, combs, bristles of brushes etc. |
Melamine-formaldehyde resin |
Melamine and formaldehyde |
Used in making ceramic plastic materials. |
Polyethene |
Ethene |
Electric insulation, garbage bags, plastic bags, bottles, toys etc. |
Nylon-6 |
caprolactam |
Used in making conveyor and seat belts, parachutes, airbags, nets etc |
Polypropylene |
Propylene |
It is used for manufacturing ropes, tapes, camping equipment etc. |
Q 1. Cellulose is made up of:
a. Polynucleotides
b. Polyamides
c. Polysaccharides
d. Polypeptides
Answer: (C)
Cellulose is a polymer made up of sugar molecules, known as a polysaccharide.
Q 2. Which of the following polymers can be coloured in any shade and can be used in the manufacturing of toys and other plastic objects?
a. Polystyrene
b. Polypropylene
c. Polyethylene
d. Polyvinyl chloride
Answer: (A)
Polystyrene can be coloured in any shade and can be used in the manufacturing of toys and other plastic objects.
Q 3. Which of the following is not a property of nylon resins?
a. Heat resistance
b. Toxic
c. Abrasion resistance
d. Non-combustible
Answer: (B)
Nylon resins are strong, heat resistant, abrasion resistant, non-combustible, non-toxic, and can be coloured. It is mainly used in the manufacturing of mechanical parts, automobile parts, electronic components etc.
Q 4. Select the correct option to identify the polymer used in the preparation of nylon thread?
a. Polyamide polymer
b. Polyester polymer
c. Polyethylene polymer
d. Polyvinyl polymer
Answer: (A)
Nylon thread is prepared from polyamide polymer that contains amide linkage and is used to prepare nylon thread because of its properties like durability and remarkable strength. Few uses of nylon thread include the manufacturing of luggage suitcases, purses, clothing etc.
Q 1. What are fibres and give some examples of polymers acting as fibres?
Answer: These are the polymers in which comparatively stronger forces of attraction like hydrogen bonds are present because of this it has high tensile strength and is the least elastic in nature. Some examples of polymers acting as fibres include polyamides (nylon-6, nylon-6,6 etc) and polyesters (terylene).
Q 2. What is the difference between elastomers and thermosetting plastics in terms of their properties?
Answer: Elastomers have a weak van der Waals force of attraction and due to which it can be stretched up to ten times its original length and when force is removed it can regain its original shape like in the case of rubber. Whereas, thermosetting plastics are heavily branched and form 3-D network solid which on heating gets converted into infusible mass and cannot be reused like in the case of bakelite.
Q 3. What are fluoropolymers?
Answer: Fluoropolymers are fluorocarbon-containing polymers composed of very stable carbon-fluorine linkages that make the molecule resistant to solvents. The non-stick properties of fluoropolymers are further enhanced by carbon-fluorine bonding, as seen most prominently in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), popularly known as Teflon.
Q 4. What are the important characteristics and properties of polymer?
Answer: Few important characteristics of polymer includes resistance to chemicals, electric insulation, thermal insulation, an endless range of colour and features, light in mass a yet durable and powerful, and low cost which makes them commercially useful. These polymers are used to make plastics, fibres, adhesives, coatings etc.
Related topics
Classification of polymer |
Condensation polymerisation |
Addition polymerisation |
Biodegradable Polymer |
Molecular mass of polymer |
Rubber |