Macromolecules: What Is Polymers?

We found that Polypropylene was our 5th unknown. Polypropylene (C3H6) or more commonly referred to as PP, is used for labeling, packaging, textiles, and stationery. In 1957, the crystallization of polymer was discovered. Soon fabric was made from the polymer, and was in high demand. It can also be used for moldings of cars, film, tape, foam and carpet. Polypropylene can not be glued to any objects or itself, and so it is melded. After Polyethylene, Polypropylene is the highest produced synthetic plastic. Polypropylene also holds up well over time, which is one of the reasons that it is the second most produced plastic. The melting point is between 130-171 degrees celsius. Because polypropylene is tough and flexible it can be used as an engineering plastic. Finally, polypropylene can be used be manufactured into a living hinge. A

During the 1920s, Nobel laureate Hermann Staudinger laid the groundwork for our modern understanding of polymer science. He suggested a new molecular model for polymers; one of long, chain-like molecules and not aggregates or cyclic compounds as previously thought. In 1928, his models were confirmed by Meyer and Mark. These two scientists studied the dimensions of natural rubber using x-ray techniques. By the 1930s, models were widely accepted and extensive development of synthetic polymers began in

Rebecca Thickbloom of Clectic Designs has been working in polymer for six years. Her move to polymer was prompted by a need to challenge herself to create beads from scratch. After many years of jewelry design with semi-precious stones, she was ready for a new challenge. “My internet research led me to glass, aluminum and polymer,” she said. She was hooked on polymer after a beginning weekend course with Debbie Carlton, who later became her creative pal. She does not rule out a circle back to glass and aluminum with a polymer mix at a later date.

Often, when people think about how something did or will revolutionize the world they think of obvious things. Things such as medical advancements, the camera, or even the telephone, but how often do they think of a fabric? Something so basic that it doesn’t even cross the minds of most people when confronted with this question. There is one entirely unique fabric that can be argued to have revolutionized the world, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). This wonder material has many benefits, but it also has some consequences.

Post World War II plastic started to become a way of life. Early plastics were made from cellulose and also known as "green plastics" but most of today's plastics are made of hydrocarbon molecules that is used from the refining of oil and natural gas. Depending on how the plastic is made will decided wheter it's used for something like sandwich wrap or making some sort of plastic handle on a tool.

The addition polymer that is just too good to be true; polytetrafluoroethylene (C2F4)n. More commonly known as teflon or PTFE, the unique assortment of properties of this thermoplastic including its non-stick characteristics, resistance to liquid, high melting point and low reactivity make it no surprise that PTFE is the plastic of the 20th century. PTFE has an average molecular weight of 100.02 g/mol and was a result of an accidental discovery in 1938 by Roy Plunkett who revealed that a tank of refrigerant tetrafluoroethylene (C2F4) in gaseous form had changed into a white powder (Scott, n.d.). This process is referred to as polymerisation and forms PTFE from tetrafluoroethylene (TFE). From this discovery, PTFE saw its first commercial

In this process, a polymer is formed while another molecule is released, or "falls out." The condensation polymerization of bis 2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate is carried out in a vacuum at 530 degrees Fahrenheit (275 degrees Celsius) and results in chains of PET and ethylene glycol (see step #1 above); the latter substance is continuously removed during polymerization and used to make more PET. After the PET mixture reaches the required viscosity (thickness), it is cooled to avoid degradation and discoloration. Later, it can be reheated for its various

Polyvinylchloride is the widely accepted trivial name for poly (1-chloroethene) and, in terms of worldwide production, is one of the three most important polymers in current use, the other two being polyethylene and polystyrene. PVC has numerous uses, including cable insulation, packaging, and toys.

Polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer consisting of long chains of the monomer ethylene and is abbreviated as PE. Polyethylene consists of the two chemical elements hydrogen and carbon. PE is created through the polymerization of ethene and is classified into several categories based primarily on its density and branching of its molecular structure and weight.

If you look around yourself you may notice that a great amount of the things around you are made up of plastic. You may also notice that all these plastic objects are different. For example, some are more durable while others are more delicate. There are many different types of plastics that exist; different plastics are used for different things. Polypropylene is a very common plastic, one that in some way, shape or form, we likely use everyday. According to a Britannica article, polypropylene is “a synthetic resin built up by the polymerization of propylene” (Britannica, 2016). What this really means is that polypropylene is a synthetic compound made up of propylene that goes through the process of polymerization, which is when monomers are

Polymers came to be when Staudinger theorized that substances like natural rubber have very high molecular weights. In a research paper called "Über Polymerisation," Staudinger attempted to prove his theory. The paper involved a compilation of several chemical reactions which resulted in a larger molecule. These reactions he called "polymerization," where smaller units are joined to make a larger unit.

The discovery of the vinyl chloride monomer did not immediately lead to mass production of PVC. It was not until much later that the uses of this monomer were discovered by Waldo Semon, a chemical engineer working for B.F. Goodrich, during the year of 1930. Using a chemical reaction

"Plastic" entered the world through chemistry in 1909 and was originally coined to describe Bakelite, the first fully synthetic resin. What make's plastic so unique is when it is heated it can be molded but it retained its shape when cooled (Reddy, 2010). The modern plastic bag was not possible until the accidental discovery of the first industrially practical method of polyethylene synthesis in 1933. Fast forward to today, the use and

Polymers are also commonly referred to as plastics so now you can put in to perspective how much we use polymers. You can also realize

Emulsion polymerization technology is widely applied in many fields including synthetic rubber, thermoplastics, coating, adhesive, and plastic modifier [1–4]. Much of the interest in it derives from the possibilities for the preparation of monodisperse or functional latex particles [5,6]. Until today, the challenges