Editing Polymer (section)

==Applications==
Nowadays, synthetic polymers are used in almost all walks of life. Modern society would look very different without them. The spreading of polymer use is connected to their unique properties: low density, low cost, good thermal/electrical insulation properties, high resistance to corrosion, low-energy demanding polymer manufacture and facile processing into final products. For a given application, the properties of a polymer can be tuned or enhanced by combination with other materials, as in [[Polymer matrix composite|composites]]. Their application allows to save energy (lighter cars and planes, thermally insulated buildings), protect food and drinking water (packaging), save land and lower use of fertilizers (synthetic fibres), preserve other materials (coatings), protect and save lives (hygiene, medical applications). A representative, non-exhaustive list of applications is given below.

* Clothing, sportswear and accessories: [[Polyester#Uses and applications|polyester]] and [[PVC clothing]], [[spandex]], [[sneakers|sport shoes]], [[wetsuit]]s, [[Ball (association football)|footballs]] and [[Billiard ball#Snooker|billiard balls]], [[ski]]s and [[snowboard]]s, [[Racket (sports equipment)|rackets]], [[parachute]]s, [[sailcloth|sail]]s, [[tent|tents and shelters]].
* Electronic and photonic technologies: organic [[Organic electronics|field effect transistors]] (OFET), [[OLED#Polymer light-emitting diodes|light emitting diodes]] (OLED) and [[organic solar cell|solar cells]], [[Television set|television components]], [[compact disc]]s (CD), [[photoresist]]s, [[holography]].
* Packaging and containers: [[Plastic film|films]], [[Plastic bottle|bottles]], [[food packaging]], [[barrel]]s.
* Insulation: [[Insulator (electricity)|electrical]] and [[thermal insulation]], [[spray foam]]s.
* Construction and structural applications: [[garden furniture]], [[polyvinyl chloride|PVC]] windows, flooring, [[seal (mechanical)|sealing]], [[Plastic pipework|pipes]].
* Paints, glues and lubricants: [[varnish]], [[adhesive]]s, [[dispersant]]s, [[anti-graffiti coating]]s, [[Biofouling#Non-toxic coatings|antifouling coatings]], [[non-stick surface]]s, [[lubricant]]s.
* Car parts: [[tire]]s, [[Bumper (car)|bumpers]], [[windshield]]s, [[windscreen wiper]]s, [[fuel tank]]s, [[car seat]]s.
* Household items: [[bucket]]s, [[kitchenware]], toys (e.g., [[construction set]]s and [[Rubik's cube]]).
* Medical applications: [[Blood transfusion|blood bag]], [[syringe]]s, [[rubber glove]]s, [[surgical suture]], [[contact lens]]es, [[prosthesis]], [[Drug carrier|controlled drug delivery and release]], [[Growth medium|matrices for cell growth]].
* Personal hygiene and healthcare: [[diaper]]s using [[superabsorbent polymer]]s, [[toothbrush]]es, [[cosmetics]], [[shampoo]], [[condom]]s.
* Security: [[personal protective equipment]], [[bulletproof vest]]s, [[space suit]]s, [[rope]]s.
* Separation technologies: [[synthetic membrane]]s, [[Fuel cell#Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells|fuel cell membranes]], [[filtration]], [[ion-exchange resin]]s.
* Money: [[polymer banknote]]s and [[payment card]]s.
* [[3D printing]].