Q1.

Define monomer, polymer, thermosets and thermoplastics Polymers are long chain molecules, sometimes called macromolecules and also defined as a material made of very large molecules that generally does not have a crystalline structure. Polymer is a more technical term for a plastic. They are formed by linking together (polymerizing) many small molecules called monomers. Thermosets is a type of plastic that is permanently hardened by cooling. Thermosets are heavily cross-linked, whereas thermoplastic is a type of plastic that can be softened by heat, hardened by cooling, and then softened by heat over and over again. Thermoplastics are not cross-linked. Q2. Explain the types of polymer additives Fillers Natural substances used to improve strength and lower the cost of the material. Usually mineral-based, filler literally increase the overall bulk of the plastic. Plasticizers Reduce the glass transition temperature Tg below room temperature and the presence of plasticizer transforms brittle polymer to a ductile one. Stabilizers Light stabilizers are used to inhibit the reactions in plastics which cause undesirable chemical degradation from exposure to UV light. Heat stabilizers are used to prevent decomposition of the polymer during processing.

Q3. Briefly describe the types of processing plastics Blow moulding - is used for hollow containers like milk bottles. Plastic is melted into a hollow tube and placed between the halves of the mould. As the mould closes, compressed air forces the plastic against the walls of the mould. Blown film - is the process of molten plastic being blown like a huge balloon which is being drawn upwards at the same time into rollers which cool the film and press it flat. This is how thin plastic film like shrink wrap is made. Calendering - is where molten plastic is poured and evenly squeezed between several sets of rollers until it cools. Extrusion - is the process used for forming pipes and various sections like spouting and curtain track. Plastic granules are fed into a large revolving screw which forces the granules past a heating chamber where they melt. The molten plastic is forced through a hole, called a die, which is the shape of the finished section, and as the continuous section passes coolers it becomes rigid. Injection moulding - is a common processing method for mass producing plastic parts. Plastic granules are heated in a chamber and an exact amount of molten plastic is forced into the mould which is made in two or more sections, held tightly together with a hollow the shape of the finished product inside. Plastic model kits have many parts moulded at the one time,

the molten plastic being forced from one part to the other through the tiny section which keeps the parts together. Rotational moulding - uses a hollow mould which is heated, and rotates through every axis. The plastic granules melt against the surface of the mould as it rotates, spreading an even thickness against the mould surface. The mould cools and when the parts are separated, the product such as a beach ball or rainwater tank is taken out. Easter eggs are made in rotational moulds, and sometimes they are thicker on one end because the rotating mould stopped while some chocolate was still able to run to the lowest point. Q4. Discuss the types of polymers Polythene - The first commercially produced polymer is also the simplest and most common: polythene. Its systematic name is poly(ethene) meaning it is a polymer made from the monomer, ethene. Ethene is a small molecule containing two carbon atoms linked by a double bond and four hydrogen atoms, two bonded to each carbon. Free Electrons - When ethene is subjected to high temperature and pressure, or reacted in the presence of a catalyst, one of the bonds in the double bond is broken. Each of the carbon atoms then has a free electron which can form a covalent bond by pairing with another free electron. If other ethene molecules are present, the double bond in one of them can break, and the free electron on one of the carbons can combine with another on the original molecule. As this continues, a long chain of carbon atoms, bonded to one another by single covalent bonds forms. Each carbon atom has two hydrogen atoms bonded to it. Poly(propene) - Other polymers can be made in this way. Poly(propene) is very similar to poly(ethene). It is made from propene which has three carbon atoms, two of which are joined by a double bond. When it reacts to become a polymer (polymerises), the long chain is similar to poly(ethene) except that every other carbon atom has a methyl (CH3-) group attached to it.