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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 plastic’s monomers and the arrangement of the monomers within the molecule both determine
many of the plastic’s 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

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PVC toys for this age group or have eliminated the phthalates. However, alternative softeners have
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 H H H
\\ / | | | |
C == C ----------------- - - -> -- C -- C -- C -- C --
/ \\ | | | |
H Cl H Cl H Cl

vinyl chloride monomer polyvinyl chloride polymer

PROPERTIES
Ø Most widely used synthetic plastic
ØOdourless
Ø Inflammable
Ø Chemically inert
ØResistant to light,atmospheric oxygen

Ø It has greater stiffness compared to polyethylene , but is brittle

USES
1.Rigid PVC or unplasticized PVC
It is used for making
ü Sheets
ü Light fittings
ü Safety helmets
ü Tyres
ü Cycle and motorcycle mudguards
2. Plasticized PVC
It is used for
ü Packing rain coats ,tablecloths, curtains etc
ü Injection moulding of toys, tool handles, radio components etc

üMaking 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 having
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
Ø Thermoplastic
Ø Transparent
Ø Nontoxic;
Ø Optical and electrical properties;
Ø Easy to color;
Ø Resistant to X rays, oils, and grease
Ø Light
Ø Excellent moisture resistant
USED AS
ü Plastic wrap,
ü Kitchen utensils
ü Furniture covers
üThermal insulation
ü Toys, office supplies, disposable razors

POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE (PMMA)

It 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..
Optical clarity is the main feature of this material.Hence it is an excellent substitute for glass.It
can be thermally depolymerised to yield back entire quantity of monomer..
preparation

v by polymerisation of methyl methacrylate in presence of hydrogen peroxide

ØIt is a fairly rigid material with high softening point of about 130 - 140 degree Celsius
Ø It has high optical –transparency, high resistance to sunlight and ability of transmitting
light accurately even in curved sections .
Ø Low chemical resistance..
Ø Low scratch resistance.
USES
It is used for making
ü lenses

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ü Aircraft light fixtures

ü Artificial eyes
ü Emulsions
ü Paints
ü Adhesives
ü jewellery
ü 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 of ethylene as shown below
H H H H H
\\ / | | |
C == C ------------- -> -- C -- C -- C --
/ \\ | | |
H H H H H

ethylene monomer polyethylene polymer

PROPERTIES
PEs are
Ø Cheap
Ø Flexible
Ø Durable
Øchemically resistant.
Ø Rigid
ØWaxy and white
ØTranslucent
Ø It is a good insulator of electricity
USES
ü Making high frequency insulator parts
ü Making bottle caps
ü Toys, sheets for packing
etc

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

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

5.POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE (PTFE)
PTFE also known as “TEFLON “ in trade may be
visualised as polyethylene with all its hydrogen atoms substituted by fluorine. PTFE
molecule has a highly regular structure .It is also a linear polymer with practically no
branches .. Chemically inert, antiadhesive, impermeable to water and grease, heat and corrosion
resistant

Preparation:
vIt is obtained by polymerization of tetrafluoro ethylene, under pressure
in presence of catalyst like benzoyl peroxide.
v The polymerisation is associated with release of large quantities of heat and if
sufficient precautions are not taken this can result in violent explosions ..

REFERENCES

1. Processes and Materials of Manufacture by R.A. LINDBERG

2. SEMINAR TOPIC FROM :: www.edufive.com/seminartopics.html

3. www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia

4. www.me.sc.edu

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