Manufactured Substances

in Industry

SYNTHETIC POLYMERS
 What are Synthetic Polymers?
 Plastics = Polymers
 Polymers: large molecules consisting of
many small molecules known as
monomers that are joined by covalent
bonds.

Mono = One
Poly = Many
 Polymerisation
 Monomers are joined by a process of
repeated linking (polymerisation).

Polymerisation

Monomer
 Types of Polymerisation
 Addition Polymerisation
♥ linking of monomers to form a large molecule
without loss of small molecules.
 Condensation Polymerisation
♥ linking of monomers to form a large
molecules with the loss of small molecules
(e.g. Water)
 Types of Polymers
 Natural Polymers
♥ Occur naturally in plant @ animals.
♥ e.g. protein, starch, cellulose, silk, natural
rubber, carbohydrate…
 Synthetic Polymers
♥ Manufactured polymers, made using
chemicals that are mostly obtained from
distillation of petroleum or crude oil.
 Synthetic Polymers
Types Example
Plastic Polythene,
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride),
polystyrene, polypropene,
perspex, teflon.
Synthetic Rubber Terylene, nylon.
Synthetic Fibres Thiokol, neoprene,
SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber).
 Various Types of
Synthetic Polymers

 Refer to table 9.2 (page 163) in the

textbook.
 Remove the suffix ‘poly-’ to
determine the monomer.
 Advantages

 Cheap.
 Easily moulded/shaped.
 Can be coloured.
 Stable and do not corrode/decay.
 Disadvantages
 Not easily biodegradable.
 May cause pollution.
 Blockage of drainage system.
 Release harmful, poisonous and pungent gases
when burnt (e.g. carbon monoxide, hyrogen
cyanide, hydrogen chloride)
 Reducing the Effects of Using
Synthetic Polymers

 Use biodegradable synthetic polymers (organic

compunds).
 Recyle, Reuse and Reduce.
 Usage of alternative materials.
 Education and awareness of people.