Polymers

Polymers are long chains made up of induvidual monomers. The raw material used to create polymers is found in crude oil therefore making them a finite resourse.

polymers are widely used from wiring insulator to window frames. This is because polymers have many different properties including

• Good Insulator to Electricity and Heat
• Good Strength to Weight ratio
• Good resistance to atmospheric and chemical erosion
• Low melting points
• Lightweight

There are two types of polymers, Thermosetting and Thermo

Theremosetting polymers

Thermosetting polymers cannot be remoulded once cooled, this is because of the molecular structure of them. This does make them ideal for saucepan handles and kettles ect.
Some examples of thermosetting plastics are.

• Epoxy Resin
• Melamini Formaldehyde
• Polyester Resin
• Urea Formaldehyde

Thermo- polymers

Thermo polymers can be remoulded repeatedly as the bonds in the molecular structure are weak, therfore applying heat to the material makes it maluable

ABS- Acrylonite Butadiene Styrene
CA- Cellulose Acetate
Nylon- Polyamide
PMMA- Poly Methyl Meth Acrylate (aka Acrylic)
PP- Poly Propylene
HIPS- High Impact PolyStyrene
PS- Poly Styrene
LDPE- Low Density PolyEthylene
HDPE- High Density PolyEthylene
uPVC- PolyVinyl Chloride
PVC- (un plasticised flexiable) PolyVinyl Chloride
PET- PolyEthylene Terephthulate
PC- Poly Carbonate

Plastic Additives

Fillers-

Flame Retardants-

Antistatic-

Plasticizer-

Stabilizer-