Polymer - what is it? The production of polymers

It's Amazing how diverse the surrounding objects and the materials from which they are made. Earlier, around the XV-XVI centuries, the main materials were metal and wood, later glass, all porcelain and faience. But today's age is a time of polymers, which will be discussed further.

The Concept of polymers

Polymer. What is it? Can be answered from different points of view. On the one hand, it is a modern material used for manufacturing various household and technical objects.

On the other hand, you could say it's specially synthetic substance produced with predetermined properties for use in multiple specializations.

Each of these definitions is correct, only the first terms of the household, and secondly, from the point of view of chemical. Another chemical definition is as follows. Polymers are macromolecular compounds which are based on short sections of chain molecules - monomers. They are repeated many times, forming macrocap polymer. The monomers can be both organic and inorganic compounds.

So the question is: "polymer - what is it?" - requires a detailed answer and review all the properties and fields of application of these substances.

Types of polymers

There are many classifications of polymers according to different characteristics (chemical nature, thermal stability, structure, circuit etc.). The following table briefly consider the main types of polymers.

There are two types of polymers-linear, branched and net structures. The polymer base allows us to be thermoplastic or thermosetting. Also they have a differences in ability to deformation under normal conditions.

Physical properties of polymeric materials

The Main two aggregate States characteristic of polymers is:

• Amorphous;
• Crystal.

Each has a different set of properties and has important practical significance. For example, if the polymer exists in the amorphous state, so it can be vascodagama fluid and glassy substance and is highly flexible connection (rubber). It finds wide application in chemical industries, construction, technology, manufacturing industrial goods.

Recommended

Staff evaluation: system and methods

Personnel Assessment allows you to identify how competent the employees involved in the enterprise, and it is the performance of their work – the most significant factor affecting the efficiency of the company. To clarify the impact of performa...

How to start your own business: important aspects.

Many people, tired of working for someone else, are increasingly thinking about how to start your own business. Someone wants to open a salon, someone store, and someone enough and vegetable stalls. Before you throw in the pool with his head, it is i...

Business activities. its essence and basic functions

The Entrepreneurial activity of the citizen – is undertaken at your own risk and independent activity, which aims to systematically profit through the sale of works, goods, services, use of the property. The citizen engaged in such activities, ...

The Crystalline state the polymers are fairly conventional. In fact, this condition is interspersed with amorphous areas in a chain, and the whole molecule is obtained is very useful for obtaining elastic, but at the same time high strength and hard fibres.

The melting Temperature for various polymers. Many amorphous melt at room temperature, and some of the synthetic crystal is kept relatively high temperatures (plexiglass, fiberglass, polyurethane, polypropylene).

Colored polymers can in a variety of colors, without limits. Due to their structure they are able to absorb paint and purchase the most vivid and unusual shades.

Chemical properties of polymers

Chemical properties of polymers differ from those of low molecular weight substances. This is due to the size of the molecule, the presence of various functional groups in its structure, a common energy of activation.

In General, there are several basic types of reactions typical for polymers.

1. Reactions that will be determined by the functional group. That is, if the polymer is a group IT is characteristic of alcohols, hence the reactions in which they will enter, will be identical to those of alcohols (dehydration, oxidation, recovery, dehydrogenation, and soon).
2. Interaction with NMS (low molecular compounds).
3. Reaction of polymers to each other to form cross-linked networks of macromolecules (reticulated polymers, branched).
4. Reaction between the functional groups within the same polymer macromolecule.
5. The breakdown of macromolecules into monomers (destruction of the circuit).

All of the above reactions are in practice of great importance for the synthesis of polymers with predetermined and convenient human characteristics. Chemistry of polymers allows to create a heat-resistant, acid and selachophobia materials, while having sufficient flexibility and stability.

The Use of polymers in everyday life

The Use of these compounds everywhere. Few can remember the fields of industry, agriculture, science and technology, which would not need polymer. What it is polymer agriculture and widespread use, and it is exhausted?

1. Chemical industry (plastics, tanning agents, synthesis of essential organic compounds).
2. Mechanical engineering, aircraft building, oil refineries.
3. Medicine and pharmacology.
4. Receiving of dyes and explosives, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides for agriculture.
5. Construction industry (alloying steels, designs sound and heat insulation, construction materials).
6. Making toys, utensils, pipes, Windows, household items and home items.

Chemistry of polymers allows to obtain new, absolutely universal properties of the materials that has no equal either among metals or among the wood or glass.

Examples of polymer materials

Before calling a given product of the polymer (it is impossible to list all, too large variety), you first need to figure out what gives the polymer. The material that is received from the Navy, and will be the basis for future products.

The Main materials made from polymers, yavlyayutsya:

• Plastmassa;
• Polypropylene;
• Polyurethane;
• Polistirola;
• Polyacrylate;
• Phenol-formaldehyde resin;
• Epoxy;
• Caproni;
• Viscose;
• Nylon;
• Polyester fibers
• Glues
• Film;
• Tannin and others.

This is only a small list of the variety that offers modern chemistry. Well, here it becomes clear what items and products are made from polymers - almost any household items, medicine and other areas (Windows, pipes, utensils, tools, furniture, toys, films, etc.).

Polymers in various branches of science and technology

We already touched on the question of which areas are used as the polymers. Examples showing their value in science and technology, include the following:

• Application of rubber;
• Anti-static coating
• Electromagnetic screens;
• The buildings of almost all consumer products;
• Transistors;
• LEDs and so on.

There are No limits of imagination in the use of polymeric materials in the modern world.

Plastics

Polymer. What is it? This is almost everything that surrounds us. Where are they produced?

1. Petrochemical (oil) industry.
2. Special factories for the production of polymeric materials and products.

This is the main base on the basis of which is obtained (synthesized) polymer materials.