POLYMER

Polymers are constructed from pieces

(monomers) that can be easily
connected into long chains (polymer).

Polymers are broadly classified into:

Synthetic
Natural

Synthetic polymers are obtained via

polymerization of petroleum-based raw
materials through engineered industrial
processes using catalysts and heat

SYNTHETIC
POLYMERS
Polyethylene
Polypropylene
Polytetrafluoroethylene
(Teflon)
Polyvinylchloride
Polyvinylidenechloride
Polystyrene
Polyvinylacetate
Polymethylmethacrylat
e (Plexiglas)
Polyacrylonitrile

Polybutadiene
Polyisoprene
Polycarbonate
Polyester
Polyamide (nylons)
Polyurethane
Polyimide
Polyureas
Polysiloxanes
Polysilanes
Polyethers

NATURAL
POLYMERS
Natural polymeric materials have been used
throughout history for clothing, decoration,
shelter, tools, weapons, and writing materials
Examples of natural polymers:
Starch
- Silk
Cellulose (wood) - DNA and RNA
- Horn
Protein
- Rubber
Hair

Plastic
Polyme
r

Synthet
ic
Fibres

Foams
Coating
s, paint,
ink

Adhesiv
es and
sealants
Other

Polymer Use in Industry

The World Consumption of Synthetic

Polymers

150

million metric tons per year.

Coating and Adhesives; 15%

Synthetic rubber; 11%

Plastics; 56%
Fibers; 18%

POLYMER CHEMISTRY

POLYMER FOR COATING &

Polymer solutions required in coatings and adhesives because most
ADHESIVES
engineering polymers are insoluble in water.
Polymer Coating :
Lacquer, Vanishes, Paint (Oil or Latex),
Latex
Polymer Adhesives :
Stronger, more flexible and have greater impact
resistance than other adhesives
Example: Acrylate, Epoxy, Urethane,
Cyanoacrylate

POLYMER FOR COATING &

ADHESIVES
Green Polymer Coating : Soy-based Polymer
Building Blocks
Soy-based functional building blocks developed (Polyols,
reactive diluents, Acrylated polyols, silane functional),

Platform for Sustainable Coating

Materials :
- high bio-based content (low carbon footprint)
- low cost
- new functionality - water-resistance,
hydrophobicity
- benefits of green

POLYMER IN
PAINT
Paints are among the most compositionally
complicated
polymer-based materials.

The constituents of
paint:
Base polymer as a binder
Solvent or dispersing medium
Pigment (or several)
Dispersing agent
and other additives.

Base polymer in
paints:
acrylic polymers (resins)
alkyd polymers (resins)
epoxy polymers (resins)

POLYMER IN
PAINT
Base polymer/ binder in
paints:
Principal ingredient
Holds paint together and to the
substrate
Establishes chemical and physical
Inorganic resin :
properties
Organic resin :
not a carbon based polymer
a carbon based polymer
Most utilize some type of
silicate binder
R
R
R

C
R

C
R

Zn

Zn

Si

Si

Zn

Zn

POLYMER IN
PAINT

Acrylic polymers (Resins) for paint

Binder in many emulsion paints, water-borne
emulsion paints
Epoxies for composite require the use of curing agents
(hardeners) and accelerators.
Most hardeners used are highly toxic and cause severe
irritation if are touched or inhaled. Additionally, it is
known that some of them are carcinogens and can cause
damage to the liver and kidneys (Lee et al., 2012;
Strong, 2008).

POLYMER IN
PAINT
Water-based Emulsion
Less toxic than many oil-based
paints
No nasty smells
Less volatile organic compounds
released
Less skin irritation

POLYMER IN
PAINT

Epoxy Resins for paint

More expensive, high mechanical strength,
low viscosity, low shrinkage rates and
durability.
Epoxies for composite require the use of curing agents
(hardeners) and accelerators.
Most hardeners used are highly toxic and cause severe
irritation if are touched or inhaled. Additionally, it is
known that some of them are carcinogens and can cause
damage to the liver and kidneys (Lee et al., 2012;
Strong, 2008).

PLASTIC
POLYMER
Durability of polymer property
1) Advantage : Good materials for use
2) Disadvantage : Environmental problem

PLASTIC
POLYMER

Treatment of waste polymer :

Incinerate

Landfill

Recycling

Hundreds of Millions of Discarded

Tires in a Dump in Colorado

PLASTIC
POLYMER
Reuse and Recycle for polymer
Waste Tire : Paving materials

( hydrolysis )

( glycolysis )

Waste PET :

To make monomer

To make polyol
Refillable glass beverage bottles
Refillable soft drink bottles made of
polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
plastic
Bottle deposits create jobs and reduce
litter and landfill amounts

VIRONMENTAL PREFERENCE SPECTRUM

INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEME

INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEME

Better Things for Better

Living Through Chemistry

WHAT WE NEEDED....
Chemical products that do not harm either
our health or the environment.

DuPont

we will have a polymer planet.