EXPERIMENT NO.

5
POLYMERS

OBJECTIVES:
TO STUDY THE PROPERTIES OF VARIOUS TYPES OF POLYMERS

DISCUSSION OF THEORY:
THE CLASSIFICATION OF PLASTICS INTO THERMOSETTING AND
THERMOPLASTIC CATEGORIES IS FUNDAMENTAL IN UNDERSTANDING
THEIR BEHAVIOR AND APPLICATIONS IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES.
THERMOSETTING PLASTICS, ONCE SHAPED AND CURED UNDER HEAT AND
PRESSURE, UNDERGO IRREVERSIBLE CHEMICAL CHANGES, FORMING A
THREE-DIMENSIONAL NETWORK STRUCTURE. THIS NETWORK STRUCTURE
GRANTS THEM RIGIDITY AND DURABILITY, MAKING THEM SUITABLE FOR
APPLICATIONS WHERE DIMENSIONAL STABILITY AND HEAT RESISTANCE
ARE CRUCIAL, SUCH AS IN ELECTRICAL INSULATORS, AUTOMOTIVE PARTS,
AND COMPOSITES. EXAMPLES OF THERMOSETTING PLASTICS INCLUDE
EPOXY RESINS, PHENOLIC RESINS, AND POLYURETHANES. THEIR ABILITY
TO RETAIN THEIR SHAPE AND STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY EVEN UNDER HIGH
TEMPERATURES MAKES THEM INDISPENSABLE IN DEMANDING ENGINEER-
ING APPLICATIONS.

CLASSIFICATION OF PLASTICS
1. THERMOSETTING PLASTICS
THERMOSETTING PLASTICS ARE A CLASS OF SYNTHETIC MATERIALS THAT
UNDERGO IRREVERSIBLE CHEMICAL REACTIONS WHEN HEATED, FORMING
A CROSS-LINKED THREE-DIMENSIONAL NETWORK STRUCTURE. THIS
CHARACTERISTIC RENDERS THEM RIGID AND INFUSIBLE, MAKING THEM
IDEAL FOR APPLICATIONS REQUIRING HIGH HEAT RESISTANCE AND
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY. COMMON EXAMPLES INCLUDE PHENOLIC
RESINS, EPOXY RESINS, POLYURETHANES, AND MELAMINE
FORMALDEHYDE, WHICH FIND USE IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES SUCH AS
ELECTRICAL INSULATION, AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS, AEROSPACE
MATERIALS, AND COMPOSITES. DESPITE THEIR EXCELLENT PROPERTIES,
THERMOSETTING PLASTICS FACE CHALLENGES RELATED TO LIMITED
RECYCLABILITY AND COMPLEX PRODUCTION PROCESSES INVOLVING
CATALYSTS OR INITIATORS. ONGOING RESEARCH AIMS TO OVERCOME
THESE LIMITATIONS, EXPLORING NEW FORMULATIONS AND PROCESSING
TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE THEIR PERFORMANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY
WHILE EXPANDING THEIR RANGE OF APPLICATIONS.
2. THERMOPLASTIC PLASTICS
THERMOPLASTIC PLASTICS REPRESENT A VERSATILE CLASS OF SYNTHETIC
MATERIALS THAT RETAIN THEIR MOLECULAR STRUCTURE WHEN
SUBJECTED TO HEAT AND PRESSURE, ALLOWING THEM TO BE MOLDED
AND RESHAPED MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT UNDERGOING SIGNIFICANT
CHEMICAL CHANGES. UNLIKE THERMOSETTING PLASTICS, THERMOPLAS-
TICS DO NOT UNDERGO IRREVERSIBLE CURING REACTIONS UPON
HEATING, ENABLING THEM TO SOFTEN UPON HEATING AND SOLIDIFY
UPON COOLING. THIS CHARACTERISTIC GRANTS THEM EXCEPTIONAL
ADAPTABILITY AND RECYCLABILITY, MAKING THEM PREVALENT IN A WIDE
RANGE OF APPLICATIONS ACROSS INDUSTRIES. COMMON EXAMPLES OF
THERMOPLASTIC PLASTICS INCLUDE POLYETHYLENE, POLYPROPYLENE,
POLYSTYRENE, AND POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC).

THE UNIQUE PROPERTIES OF THERMOPLASTIC PLASTICS MAKE THEM

SUITABLE FOR DIVERSE APPLICATIONS, INCLUDING PACKAGING,
CONSUMER GOODS, CONSTRUCTION, AND HEALTHCARE. THEIR EASE OF
PROCESSING, LIGHTWEIGHT NATURE, AND ABILITY TO BE RECYCLED
CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR WIDESPREAD ADOPTION IN VARIOUS
MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. ADDITIONALLY, ADVANCEMENTS IN
POLYMER SCIENCE CONTINUE TO ENHANCE THE PROPERTIES AND EXPAND
THE APPLICATIONS OF THERMOPLASTIC PLASTICS, DRIVING INNOVATION
IN INDUSTRIES AND TECHNOLOGIES WORLDWIDE.

PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS OF THERMOSETS :

(1) PHENOL FORMALDEHYDE: PHENOL FORMALDEHYDE RESIN,
COMMONLY KNOWN AS PHENOLIC RESIN, IS PRODUCED BY THE
REACTION OF PHENOL WITH FORMALDEHYDE. THIS RESIN EXHIBITS
REMARKABLE PROPERTIES SUCH AS HARDNESS, HIGH STRENGTH, HEAT
RESISTANCE, WATER RESISTANCE, AND EXCELLENT ELECTRICAL
INSULATING PROPERTIES. DUE TO THESE ATTRIBUTES, PHENOLIC RESINS
ARE UTILIZED IN VARIOUS APPLICATIONS INCLUDING THE MANUFACTU-
RING OF COATING MATERIALS, GRINDING WHEELS, LAMINATES, AND AS
BONDING AGENTS FOR METALS AND GLASS. ADDITIONALLY, PHENOLIC
RESIN IS EXTENSIVELY CAST INTO ARTICLES SUCH AS ELECTRICAL
COMPONENTS, CASES, DIALS, AND RADIO CABINETS DUE TO ITS ABILITY
TO RETAIN SHAPE AND DURABILITY UNDER HARSH CONDITIONS.

(2) UREA FORMALDEHYDE: UREA FORMALDEHYDE RESIN IS A COLORLESS

RESIN FORMED BY THE CHEMICAL COMBINATION OF UREA AND
FORMALDEHYDE. THIS RESIN IS CHARACTERIZED BY ITS EXCELLENT
BONDING QUALITY, HARDNESS, STRENGTH, WATER RESISTANCE, AND
HIGH DIELECTRIC STRENGTH. ITS VERSATILITY MAKES IT SUITABLE FOR
APPLICATIONS SUCH AS TABLEWARE, BUTTONS, LIGHT FIXTURES,
INSTRUMENT DIALS, AND AS A BINDER FOR METAL CORE MOLDING AND
VENEER BONDS. DUE TO ITS ROBUST PROPERTIES, UREA FORMALDEHYDE
RESIN IS COMMONLY UTILIZED IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES RANGING FROM
HOUSEHOLD GOODS TO INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS.

(3) PHENOL FURFURAL: PHENOL FURFURAL RESIN IS DERIVED FROM

PROCESSING WASTE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS LIKE CORNCOBS, RICE
HUSKS, AND COTTON SEEDS WITH CERTAIN ACIDS. THIS RESIN EXHIBITS
NOTABLE PROPERTIES INCLUDING WATER RESISTANCE, EXCELLENT
ELECTRICAL INSULATION, AND A DARK COLOR. COMMERCIALLY, PHENOL
FURFURAL RESIN IS UTILIZED IN THE PRODUCTION OF INSTRUMENT
HOUSINGS, ELECTRIC PARTS, BRAKE LININGS, AND AS A BINDER FOR
ABRASIVE WHEELS. ADDITIONALLY, IT IS EMPLOYED AS A VARNISH FOR
IMPREGNATING LAMINATES, PROVIDING ENHANCED DURABILITY AND
PROTECTION.

(4) MELAMINES: MELAMINE RESINS, PREDOMINANTLY MELAMINE

FORMALDEHYDE, ARE SYNTHESIZED FROM CARBON, NITROGEN, AND
HYDROGEN. THESE RESINS BOAST EXCEPTIONAL PROPERTIES SUCH AS
EXCELLENT SHOCK RESISTANCE, WATER RESISTANCE, ARC RESISTANCE,
AND HIGH DIELECTRIC STRENGTH. DUE TO THESE ATTRIBUTES, MELAMINE
RESINS FIND APPLICATIONS IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES INCLUDING
TELECOMMUNICATIONS (PARTS OF TELEPHONE SETS), ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT (CIRCUIT BREAKERS, TERMINAL BLOCKS), AS WELL AS IN THE
MANUFACTURING OF LAMINATED PRODUCTS, TABLEWARE, AND ENAMEL
COATINGS. THEIR ROBUSTNESS AND RESISTANCE TO HARSH ENVIRON-
MENTS MAKE MELAMINE RESINS INDISPENSABLE IN NUMEROUS
ENGINEERING AND CONSUMER GOODS APPLICATIONS.

(5) EPOXIDES: EPOXIDES, ALSO KNOWN AS EPOXY RESINS, ARE

CROSS-LINKED POLYETHERS CHARACTERIZED BY THEIR EXCELLENT
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE, ADHESION TO GLASS AND METALS, RESISTANCE
TO WEAR AND IMPACT, AND SUPERIOR ELECTRICAL INSULATION
PROPERTIES. THESE RESINS ARE EXTENSIVELY USED IN VARIOUS
INDUSTRIES FOR THEIR VERSATILITY AND DURABILITY. COMMON
APPLICATIONS INCLUDE THE MANUFACTURE OF LAMINATES, PANELS FOR
PRINTED CIRCUITS, JIGS, AND PRESS DIES FOR METAL FORMING
OPERATIONS. EPOXY RESINS ARE ALSO UTILIZED IN COATINGS, ADHESIVES,
AND AS MATRIX MATERIALS FOR COMPOSITE STRUCTURES DUE TO THEIR
ABILITY TO FORM STRONG BONDS WITH DIFFERENT SUBSTRATES AND
PROVIDE PROTECTION AGAINST CORROSION AND ABRASION.

(6) POLYESTERS: POLYESTERS ARE SYNTHESIZED BY REACTING A DIHYDRIC

ALCOHOL WITH AN UNSATURATED DIBASIC ACID, OFFERING A WIDE
RANGE OF RESINS THAT CAN BE CUSTOMIZED FOR SPECIFIC
APPLICATIONS. THESE RESINS ARE PROMINENTLY USED IN THE
GLASS-REINFORCED INDUSTRY FOR MANUFACTURING CAR BODIES, BOAT
HULLS, AND OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS DUE TO THEIR HIGH
STRENGTH-TO-WEIGHT RATIO AND CORROSION RESISTANCE. ADDITIO-
NALLY, POLYESTERS FIND APPLICATIONS IN SURFACE COATINGS, CASTINGS,
FLOORING, AND VARIOUS COMPOSITE MATERIALS. THEIR VERSATILITY
AND ABILITY TO BE TAILORED FOR SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS MAKE THEM
INDISPENSABLE IN INDUSTRIES REQUIRING LIGHTWEIGHT AND DURABLE
MATERIALS FOR STRUCTURAL AND DECORATIVE PURPOSES.

(7) SILICONES: SILICONES ARE POLYMERS BASED ON SILICON ATOMS,

DISTINGUISHING THEM FROM OTHER CARBON-BASED POLYMERS. THEIR
OUTSTANDING PROPERTIES INCLUDE STABILITY, RESISTANCE TO HIGH
TEMPERATURES OVER LONG PERIODS, GOOD LOW-TEMPERATURE
FLEXIBILITY, HIGH ELECTRICAL INSULATION CHARACTERISTICS, AND WATER
REPELLENCE. SILICONE-BASED POLYMERS FIND DIVERSE APPLICATIONS IN
INDUSTRIES SUCH AS AUTOMOTIVE, CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRONICS, AND
HEALTHCARE. THEY ARE USED FOR MOLDINGS, LAMINATED PRODUCTS,
COATINGS, AND FORMING FOAM SHEETS AND BLOCKS DUE TO THEIR
RESILIENCE, THERMAL STABILITY, AND COMPATIBILITY WITH VARIOUS
SUBSTRATES. ADDITIONALLY, SILICONES ARE VALUED FOR THEIR
BIOCOMPATIBILITY AND INERTNESS, MAKING THEM SUITABLE FOR
MEDICAL IMPLANTS, PROSTHETICS, AND PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICA-
TIONS.

PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS OF THERMOPLASTS :

(1) POLYSTYRENE: POLYSTYRENE, DERIVED FROM THE POLYMERIZATION
OF STYRENE, IS CHARACTERIZED BY ITS HIGH RESISTIVITY, WATER
RESISTANCE, AND CHEMICAL INERTNESS, ALONG WITH ITS AVAILABILITY
IN A RANGE OF COLORS FROM CLEAR TO OPAQUE. THIS VERSATILE
MATERIAL SERVES AS AN EXCELLENT SUBSTITUTE FOR RUBBER AND FINDS
APPLICATIONS IN VARIOUS PRODUCTS SUCH AS BATTERY BOXES, DISHES,
RADIO PARTS, LENSES, WALL TILES, AND ELECTRICAL INSULATION DUE TO
ITS LIGHTWEIGHT AND DURABLE NATURE.

(2) POLYETHYLENE: POLYETHYLENE, A VINYL RESIN, EXHIBITS EXCEPTION-

AL FLEXIBILITY, TOUGHNESS, MOISTURE RESISTANCE, AND ELECTRICAL
INSULATION PROPERTIES. ITS DIVERSE APPLICATIONS INCLUDE ICE TUBE
TRAYS, DEVELOPING TRAYS, FABRICS, PACKAGING FILMS, COLLAPSIBLE
NURSING BOTTLES, AND CO-AXIAL CABLES, OWING TO ITS ABILITY TO
WITHSTAND HARSH ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS WHILE MAINTAINING
ITS INTEGRITY AND PERFORMANCE.

(3) POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC): POLYVINYL CHLORIDE IS KNOWN FOR ITS

HIGH RESISTANCE TO SOLVENTS, LOW FLAMMABILITY, TOUGHNESS, AND
ELECTRICAL INSULATION PROPERTIES. WIDELY USED FOR CABLE JACKETS,
LEAD WIRE INSULATION, AND FABRIC COATING, PVC IS VALUED FOR ITS
DURABILITY AND VERSATILITY IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL AND CONSUMER
APPLICATIONS.

(4) POLYVINYL BUTYRAL: POLYVINYL BUTYRAL IS A CLEAR, TOUGH RESIN

WITH MOISTURE RESISTANCE, STRONG ADHESIVENESS, AND STABILITY
TOWARDS LIGHT AND HEAT. IT IS UTILIZED FOR INTERLAYERS IN
SHATTERLESS (SAFETY) GLASS, RAINCOAT MATERIAL, AND SEALING FUEL
TANKS, PROVIDING ENHANCED SAFETY AND DURABILITY IN AUTOMOTIVE
AND ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATIONS.

(5) ACRYLICS: ACRYLIC RESIN, COMMONLY KNOWN AS METHYL

METHACRYLATE AND BRANDED AS PLEXIGLAS OR LUCITE, BOASTS
APPLICATIONS INCLUDING AIRPLANE WINDOWS, SHOWER DOORS, GAUGE
COVERS, TRANSPARENT MODELS, AND TOILET ARTICLES DUE TO ITS
OPTICAL CLARITY, IMPACT RESISTANCE, AND WEATHERABILITY.

(6) CELLULOSE NITRATE: HIGHLY FLAMMABLE CELLULOSE NITRATE IS USED

IN PRODUCTS LIKE FOUNTAIN PENS, TOOTHBRUSH HANDLES, PING-PONG
BALLS, AND JEWELRY DUE TO ITS EASE OF MOLDING AND SHAPING,
DESPITE ITS FLAMMABILITY POSING CHALLENGES IN HANDLING AND
SAFETY.

(7) CELLULOSE ACETATE: A MORE STABLE CELLULOSE COMPOUND,

CELLULOSE ACETATE, IS FABRICATED INTO SHEETS OR MOLDED ARTICLES
FOR APPLICATIONS SUCH AS DISPLAY PACKAGING, TOYS, KNOBS, RADIO
PANELS, FLASHLIGHTS, AND BRISTLE COATINGS FOR PAINTBRUSHES AND
EXTRUDED STRIPS, OFFERING DURABILITY AND VERSATILITY IN VARIOUS
CONSUMER AND INDUSTRIAL GOODS.

(8) CELLULOSE ACETATE-BUTYRATE: CELLULOSE ACETATE-BUTYRATE, A

DERIVATIVE OF CELLULOSE, EXHIBITS LOW MOISTURE ABSORPTION,
TOUGHNESS, DIMENSIONAL STABILITY, AND THE ABILITY TO BE
CONTINUOUSLY EXTRUDED. ITS VERSATILITY MAKES IT SUITABLE FOR
VARIOUS APPLICATIONS INCLUDING STEERING WHEELS, GOGGLE FRAMES,
FOOTBALL HELMETS, TRAYS, BELTS, FURNITURE TRIMS, AND INSULATION
FOIL, PROVIDING DURABILITY AND RESILIENCE IN DIVERSE INDUSTRIES.
(9) ETHYL CELLULOSE: ETHYL CELLULOSE, THE LIGHTEST OF CELLULOSE
DERIVATIVES, IS PRIZED FOR ITS SURFACE HARDNESS, EXCELLENT
ELECTRICAL INSULATION PROPERTIES, AND MECHANICAL STRENGTH. IT IS
COMMONLY UTILIZED AS A BASE FOR COATING MATERIALS, PROVIDING A
PROTECTIVE LAYER WITH ENHANCED DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE IN
APPLICATIONS SUCH AS PAINTS, VARNISHES, AND PHARMACEUTICAL
COATINGS.

(10) CELLOPHANE: CELLOPHANE IS A REGENERATED CELLULOSE MATERIAL

PRODUCED IN THIN SHEETS THROUGH AN EXTRUSION PROCESS,
OFFERING EXCEPTIONAL TRANSPARENCY, MOISTURE RESISTANCE, AND
FLEXIBILITY. WIDELY USED AS PACKAGING MATERIAL DUE TO ITS ABILITY
TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS AND APPEARANCE, CELLOPHANE IS ALSO
EMPLOYED IN OTHER APPLICATIONS SUCH AS CURTAINS, PROVIDING A
VERSATILE AND ECO-FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE IN VARIOUS CONSUMER AND
INDUSTRIAL SETTINGS.
DIAGRAM:
1. CITE ATLEAST TWO PLASTIC MANUFACTURING COMPANIES HERE IN
THE PHILIPPINES

INTEGRATED RECYCLING INDUSTRIES (IRI): IRI IS A LEADING MANUFAC-

TURER OF RECYCLED PLASTIC PRODUCTS IN THE PHILIPPINES. THEY
SPECIALIZE IN PRODUCING HIGH-QUALITY RECYCLED PLASTIC RESINS AND
COMPOUNDS, CATERING TO VARIOUS INDUSTRIES SUCH AS PACKAGING,
CONSTRUCTION, AND CONSUMER GOODS. THEIR COMMITMENT TO
SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY HAS POSITIONED
THEM AS A KEY PLAYER IN THE LOCAL PLASTIC MANUFACTURING SECTOR.

FIRST IN COLOURS PLASTIC COMPOUND PHILIPPINES, INC.: FIRST IN

COLOURS IS A PROMINENT MANUFACTURER OF PLASTIC COMPOUNDS
AND MASTERBATCHES IN THE PHILIPPINES. THEY OFFER A WIDE RANGE
OF COLOR AND ADDITIVE MASTERBATCHES TAILORED TO THE SPECIFIC
NEEDS OF THEIR CUSTOMERS ACROSS INDUSTRIES LIKE PACKAGING,
AUTOMOTIVE, ELECTRONICS, AND CONSTRUCTION. WITH A FOCUS ON
INNOVATION AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, FIRST IN COLOURS HAS
ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS A RELIABLE PARTNER IN THE PLASTIC MANUFAC-
TURING INDUSTRY.

2. LIST DOWN ALL THE MAIN MATERIALS USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF

PLASTIC.
• MONOMERS: THESE ARE THE BASIC BUILDING BLOCKS OF PLASTICS,
WHICH UNDERGO POLYMERIZATION TO FORM LONG CHAINS OF
REPEATING UNITS. COMMON MONOMERS USED IN PLASTIC
PRODUCTION INCLUDE ETHYLENE, PROPYLENE, STYRENE, VINYL
CHLORIDE, AND ETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE.
CATALYSTS: CATALYSTS ARE SUBSTANCES THAT FACILITATE THE
POLYMERIZATION PROCESS BY ACCELERATING THE REACTION BETWEEN
MONOMERS. THEY HELP CONTROL THE SPEED AND EFFICIENCY OF
POLYMERIZATION AND MAY VARY DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF PLASTIC
BEING PRODUCED.

ADDITIVES: ADDITIVES ARE INCORPORATED INTO PLASTICS TO ENHANCE

THEIR PROPERTIES OR IMPART SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS. THESE
INCLUDE:
• PLASTICIZERS: USED TO INCREASE FLEXIBILITY AND REDUCE BRITTLENESS
IN PLASTICS.
• STABILIZERS: HELP PREVENT DEGRADATION OF PLASTICS DUE TO EXPO-
SURE TO HEAT, LIGHT, OR CHEMICALS.
• FILLERS: ADD BULK AND STIFFNESS TO PLASTICS AND MAY INCLUDE MA-
TERIALS SUCH AS GLASS FIBERS, CALCIUM CARBONATE, OR TALC.
• PIGMENTS AND DYES: PROVIDE COLOR TO PLASTICS FOR AESTHETIC
PURPOSES.
• FLAME RETARDANTS: IMPROVE THE FIRE RESISTANCE OF PLASTICS.
• ANTIOXIDANTS: PREVENT OXIDATION AND DEGRADATION OF PLASTICS
OVER TIME.
SOLVENTS: IN SOME PLASTIC PRODUCTION PROCESSES, SOLVENTS ARE
USED TO DISSOLVE OR DISPERSE THE POLYMER BEFORE SHAPING OR
FORMING THE FINAL PRODUCT. THESE SOLVENTS MAY BE ORGANIC OR
AQUEOUS, DEPENDING ON THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE
MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
3. MAKE A FLOWCHART DIAGRAM ON THE PROCESS INVOLVE IN THE
PRODUCTION OF PLASTIC.
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