A Glimpse of

Industrial Polymers

CONTENTS
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What is polymer and plastic?

Two types of polymerization reactions
Chain polymerization examples

Step growth polymerization examples

Comparison of two types
Rubber, Vulcanization, Synthetic elastomers
Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic Films

Biodegradable plastic

 Polymers are large molecules that are formed from

relatively small molecular fragments known as monomers
that are bonded together repetitively.
Wool, cotton, silk, wood and leather are examples of
natural polymers that have been known and used since
ancient times. This group includes biopolymers such as
proteins and carbohydrates that are constituents of all
living organisms.
Synthetic polymers, which includes the large group known

as plastics, came into prominence in the early twentieth

century.
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POLYMERIZATION REACTION
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Converts monomers into macromolecule. May

involve catalysts.
(i) Step growth or Condensation and (ii) Addition or
Chain reactions are the two main types of
polymerization reactions.
Condensation reaction

Addition reaction

ADDITION POLYMERS
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One of the major breakthroughs in polymer chemistry

occurred in the early 1950s when the German chemist Karl

Ziegler discovered a group of catalysts that could efficiently

polymerize ethylene.
At about the same time, Giulio Natta (Italian) made the first
isotactic (and crystalline) polyethylene.
The Zieglar - Natta catalysts revolutionized polymer
chemistry by making it possible to control the stereoregularity of these giant molecules. The two shared the
1963 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
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Step growth polymerization requires that the monomers

possess two or more kinds of functional groups that are
able to react with each other in such a way that parts of
these groups combine to form a small molecule (often

H2O) which is eliminated from the two pieces. The nowempty bonding positions on the two monomers can then
join together .

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Thermoset polymer Bakelite

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Phenolic resins
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These are made by condensing one or more types of phenols

(hydroxy - substituted benzene rings) with formaldehyde, as
illustrated above. This was the first commercialized synthetic
molding plastic.
The brown material (usually bulked up with wood powder)
was valued for its electrical insulating properties (light
fixtures, outlets and other wiring devices).

Making plastics from polymer

A plastic contains a polymerized organic substance of large

molecular weight as an essential ingredient, is solid in its

finished state, and in its processing into finished articles

can be shaped by flow. Plasticizers, fillers etc., are also

added to alter the properties of the plastic products.
Thermosetting plastics are processed by heat curing to

produce an infusible or insoluble product.

Thermoplastics are processed by heating to soften them

and cooling to harden them. Process may be repeated.

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Commercial step growth polymers

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Raw Materials
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Monomers: vinyl chloride, ethylene, propylene and

similar simple hydrocarbons

Chemical intermediates : phenol, formaldehyde,

hexamethylenetetramine, phthalic anhydride,

methyl acrylate and methacrylate
Other raw materials: plasticizers, fillers, and

reinforcements are also added to alter the properties

of the plastic products.

RUBBER
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Vulcanization creates disulfide cross-links that prevent the

polyisoprene chains from sliding over each other. The

degree of cross-linking can be controlled to produce a

rubber having the desired elasticity and hardness. More
recently, other kinds of chemical treatment (such as
epoxidation) have been developed to produce rubbers for
special purposes.

Vulcanization creates disulfide cross-links that prevent the

polyisoprene chains from sliding over each other. The

degree of cross-linking can be controlled to produce a

rubber having the desired elasticity and hardness. More

recently, other kinds of chemical treatment (such as

epoxidation) have been developed to produce rubbers for
special purposes.
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Synthetic Fibers and their

Applications
Polyamides They are used in home furnishings,

especially carpets.
Acrylics and Modacrylics polyacrylonitrile is

the major component of several industrial textile

fibers.
Spandex It is used in foundation garments,

hose, swimwear and other elastic products.

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Other Synthetic Fibers

Polyolefins They excel in special cases, such as

ropes, laundry nets, carpets, blankets and backing for

tuffed carpets, but are difficult to dye and their melting
point is low.

Fluorocarbons It is widely used in pump packings

and shaft bearings.

Glass Fibers are used for electrical insulation in

motors and generators, structural reinforcement of

plastics, fire-proof wall coverings and tire cords.
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Films
are made from

different polymers
such as polyesters,
polyvinyl chloride,
etc.

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3 Common Types of Film Processing

Slit-die process produces flat sheets by extruding

the molten polymer through a slit-die into a quenching

water bath or onto a chilled roller.

Blow-extrusion Process produces tubular film by

using air pressure to force the molten polymer around

a mandrel.

Calendering preparation of film is produced by

feeding a plastic mix of polymer, stabilizer, and

plasticizers between two heated roll where it is
squeezed into a film.
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Biodegradable disposable plastic

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Interest in biodegradable disposable plastic items has steadily grown

because of the environmental problems caused by non-degradable

synthetic polymers.
Disposable packaging materials used to ship and protect purchased

items as well as disposable containers used for food and drink are of
special interest.
The idea that one time use items can be disposed of with the peace of

mind, that they will not remain for centuries in a landfill, or as litter, is
one of the tenets driving the recent interest in "green" technologies and
lifestyles.

With packaging materials, the reduction in usage of raw

materials, re-use and recycling is of course the best route to
sustainable lifestyle.
However, for various reasons, in practice, much of the

material ends up being discarded to a landfill or accidentally

shows up as litter.

For these instances, it is advantageous to have a plastic

material that would biodegrade when exposed to
environments where other biodegradable materials are
undergoing decay.
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What is Biodegradable?
Biodegradation is degradation caused by
biological activity, particularly by enzyme action
leading to significant changes in the material's
chemical structure. In essence, biodegradable
plastics should breakdown cleanly, in a defined
time period, to simple molecules found in the
environment such as carbon dioxide and water.
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Polymer Science and Technology Books

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F. W. Billmayer, Textbook of Polymer Science 3rd

edition, 1984, John Wiley & Sons, Singapore

F. Rodriguez, Principles of Polymer systems, 4th

edition, 1996, Taylor & Francis.

Drydens Outline of Chemical Technology for 21st

Century, 3rd edition, chapter V a) Polymerization

Fundamentals, b) Polymerization Technology.