81 Synthetic Organic Polymers
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Types of Synthetic Organic Polymers
Synthetic organic polymers are human-made polymers with various main chain and side chain compositions.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe how the chemical structure of a polymer relates to its physical properties.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Key Points
- Synthetic polymers are human-made polymers. They can be classified into four main categories: thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, and synthetic fibers. They are commonly found in a variety of consumer products.
- Various main chains and side chains are used to make different synthetic organic polymers. The backbones of common synthetic polymers are made of carbon-carbon bonds, whereas heterochain polymers have other elements (e.g. oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen) inserted along the backbone.
- The seven most common types of synthetic organic polymers are: low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), nylon, Teflon, and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
Key Terms
- thermoplastic: a polymer that becomes pliable or moldable above a specific temperature and returns to a solid state upon cooling
- synthetic polymers: human-made polymers
Synthetic polymers are human-made polymers. From the utility point of view, they can be classified into four main categories: thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, and synthetic fibers. Thermoplastics are a type of polymer that become moldable and malleable past a certain temperature, and they solidify upon cooling. Similarly, thermosets similarly become hard and cannot change shape once they have set; for this reason, they are often used in adhesives. An elastomer—a term used interchangeably with rubber—is a flexible polymer. Synthetic fibers are created by improving upon natural plant and animal fibers and make up a large category of polymers.
Poly acrylates are the backbones of common synthetic polymers such as polythene and polystyrene. They are made up of carbon-carbon bonds, whereas hetero chain polymers such as polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polysulfides, and polycarbonates have other elements (e.g. oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen) inserted along the backbone. Coordination polymers may contain a range of metals in the backbone, with non-covalent bonding present. A wide variety of synthetic polymers are also available with variations in their main chains and side chains.
Synthetic Polymers in Everyday Use
Some familiar household synthetic polymers include nylons in textiles and fabrics, Teflon in non-stick pans, and polyvinyl chloride in pipes. The common PET bottles are made of a synthetic polymer, polyethylene terephthalate. The plastic kits and covers are mostly made of synthetic polymers like polythene, and tires are manufactured from Buna rubbers. Due to the environmental issues created by these synthetic polymers, which are often non-biodegradable and synthesized from petroleum, alternatives like bioplastics are a