Editing List of synthetic polymers

{{Short description|List of human-made polymers}}

Some familiar household synthetic [[polymer]]s include: [[Nylon]]s in textiles and fabrics, [[Teflon]] in [[non-stick pan]]s, [[Bakelite]] for electrical switches, [[polyvinyl chloride]] (PVC) in pipes, etc. 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 [[polybutadiene]]s.<ref name="PeacockCalhoun2006">{{cite book|author1=Andrew J. Peacock|author2=Allison R. Calhoun|title=Polymer Chemistry: Properties and Applications|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FPrfQJuDE3YC&pg=PA1|access-date=15 July 2012|date=30 June 2006|publisher=Hanser Verlag|isbn=978-1-56990-397-1|pages=1–}}</ref> However, due to the environmental issues created by these synthetic polymers which are mostly [[non-biodegradable]] and often synthesized from petroleum, alternatives like [[bioplastic]]s are also being considered. They are however expensive when compared to the synthetic polymers.<ref name="Pilla2011">{{cite book|author=Srikanth Pilla|title=Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UX-9Z5jx-IsC|access-date=15 July 2012|date=15 September 2011|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-118-17704-4|page=154}}</ref>

{{Quote box
 |title =[[International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry|IUPAC]] definition
 |quote = Artificial polymer: Man-made polymer that is not a [[biopolymer]].

Note 1: Artificial polymer should also be used in the case of chemically<br>modified biopolymers.

Note 2: Biochemists are now capable of synthesizing copies of biopolymers<br>that should be named [[Synthetic biopolymer]] to make a distinction<br>with true biopolymers.

Note 3: Genetic engineering is now capable of generating non-natural analogues<br>of biopolymers that should be referred to as artificial biopolymers, e.g.,<br>artificial protein, artificial polynucleotide, etc.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Glossary of Basic Terms in Polymer Science|journal=[[Pure and Applied Chemistry]]|year=1996|volume=68|issue=12|pages=2287–2301|doi=10.1351/goldbook.A00250|isbn=978-0-9678550-9-7|doi-access=free}}</ref> 
}}

== Inorganic polymers ==
{{main|Inorganic polymer}}
*[[Polysiloxane]]
*[[Polyphosphazene]]
*[[Polyborazyline]]

== Organic polymers ==

The eight most common types of synthetic organic polymers, which are commonly found in households are:
*[[Low-density polyethylene]] (LDPE)
*[[High-density polyethylene]] (HDPE)
*[[Polypropylene]] (PP)
*[[Polyethylene]] (PE)
*[[Polyvinyl chloride]] (PVC)
*[[Polystyrene]] (PS)
*[[formaldehyde]].
*[[Nylon]], nylon 6, nylon 6,6
*[[Teflon]] (Polytetrafluoroethylene)
*[[Thermoplastic polyurethanes]] (TPU)

{| class="wikitable"
|+ List of some [[addition polymers]] and their uses
|-
!
! Polymer !! Abbreviation !! Properties !! Uses
|-
|
| [[Low-density polyethylene]] || LDPE || [[Chemically inert]], flexible, [[insulator (electricity)|insulator]] || [[Squeeze bottle]]s, toys, flexible pipes, insulation cover (electric wires), [[six-pack rings]], etc. 
|-
|
| [[High-density polyethylene]] || HDPE || Inert, [[Thermal stability|thermally stable]], tough and high [[tensile strength]] || Bottles, pipes, inner insulation (dielectric) of [[coax cable]] (see also PTFE), plastic bags, etc. 
|-
|
| [[Polypropylene]] || PP || Resistant to [[acids]] and [[alkali]]es, High tensile strength  || Auto parts, industrial fibers, food containers, liner in bags, dishware and as a wrapping material for textiles and food
|-
|
| [[Polystyrene]] (thermocole) || PS || Thermal insulator. Properties depends on the form, expanded form is tough and rigid || [[Petri dishes]], [[CD case]], [[plastic cutlery]] 
|-
|
| [[Polytetrafluoroethylene]] || PTFE || Very low [[coefficient of friction]], excellent [[dielectric]] properties, chemically inert || Low friction [[bearing (mechanical)|bearing]]s, [[non-stick pan]]s, inner insulation (dielectric) of [[coax cable]] (see also HDPE), coating against chemical attack etc. 
|-
|
| [[Polyvinyl chloride]] || PVC || Insulator, flame retardant, chemically inert  || Pipe (mainly draining), [[fencing]], lawn chairs, hand-bags, [[curtain]] clothes, non-food bottles, [[raincoat]]s, toys, vinyl [[flooring]], electrical installation insulations, etc. 
|-
|
| [[Polychlorotrifluoroethylene]] || PCTFE || Stable to heat and thermal attacks, high tensile strength and non [[wetting]] || [[valves]], seals, [[gaskets]] etc.
|}

== Brand names ==

These polymers are often better known through their brand names, for instance:

<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="background:#F2F2F2"
|-
! Brand Name !! Polymer !! Characteristic properties !! Uses
|-
| [[Bakelite]] || [[Phenol-formaldehyde resin]] || High electric, heat and chemical resistance  || Insulation of wires, manufacturing [[AC power plugs and sockets|sockets]], electrical devices, brake pads, etc.
|-
| [[Kevlar]] || [[aramid|Para-aramid]] fibre|| High [[tensile strength]] ||Manufacturing [[armour]], sports and musical equipment. Used in the field of [[cryogenics]]
|-
| [[Twaron]] || [[aramid|Para-aramid]] || Heat resistant and strong fibre || [[Bullet-proof]] body armor, helmets, brake pads, ropes, cables and [[optical fibre cable]]s, etc. and as an [[asbestos]] substitute
|-
| [[Mylar]] || [[Polyethylene terephthalate]] film || High strength and stiffness, less permeable to gases, almost reflects light completely || Food packaging, [[transparency and translucency|transparent]] covering over paper, reflector for [[rollsign]]s and solar cooking stoves
|-
| [[Neoprene]] || [[Polychloroprene]] || [[Chemically inert]] || Manufacturing [[gaskets]], corrosion resistant coatings, [[waterproof]] seat covers, substitute for corks and [[latex]]
|-
| [[Nylon]] || [[Polyamide]] || Silky, [[thermoplastic]] and resistant to biological and chemical agents || [[Stockings]], fabrics, [[toothbrushes]]. Molded nylon is used in making machine screws, gears etc.
|-
| [[Nomex]] || Meta-[[aramid]] polymer || Excellent thermal, chemical, and radiation resistance, rigid, durable and ''[[fireproof]]''. || Hood of [[firefighter|firefighter's]] mask, electrical lamination of [[circuit boards]] and [[transformer]] cores and in [[Thermal Micrometeoroid Garment]]
|-
| [[Orlon]] || [[Polyacrylonitrile]] (PAN) || Wool-like, resistant to chemicals, oils, moths and sunlight || Used for making clothes and fabrics like [[sweater]]s, hats, yarns, rugs, etc., and as a precursor of [[carbon fibre]]s
|-
| Rilsan || [[Polyamide 11]] & 12 || [[Bioplastic]] || Used in high-performance applications such as sports shoes, electronic device components, automotive fuel lines, pneumatic airbrake tubing, oil and gas flexible pipes and control fluid umbilicals, and [[catheters]].
|-
| [[Technora]] || [[aramid|Copolyamid]] || High tensile strength, resistance to [[corrosion]], heat, chemicals and saltwater || Used for manufacturing [[optical fiber cable]]s, [[umbilical cable]]s, [[drumheads]], [[automotive industry]], [[rope]]s, [[wire rope]]s and [[Electrical cable|cable]]s
|-
| [[Teflon]] || [[Polytetrafluoroethylene]] (PTFE) || Very low [[coefficient of friction]], excellent [[dielectric]] properties, high melting, chemically inert || [[Plain bearings]], [[gears]], [[non-stick pan]]s, etc. due to its low [[friction]]. Used as a tubing for highly [[corrosive]] chemicals. 
|-
| [[Ultem]] || [[Polyimide]] || Heat,flame and solvent resistant. Has high dielectric strength || Used in medical and chemical instrumentation, also in [[guitar picks]]
|-
| [[Vectran]] || [[Polyester|aromatic polyester]] || High thermal and chemical stability. Golden color. Has high strength, low [[creep (deformation)|creep]], and is moisture resistant  || Used as reinforcing fibres for ropes, [[Electrical cable|cable]]s, [[sailcloth]]. Also used in manufacturing [[badminton]] strings, [[bike tires]] and in electronics applications. Is the key component of a line of [[inflatable]] spacecraft developed by [[Bigelow Aerospace]]
|-
| [[Viton]] || Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) || [[Elastomer]] || Depends on the grade of the polymer. Viton B is used in chemical process plants and gaskets.
|-
| [[Zylon]] || [[Polyphenylene benzobisoxazole|poly-p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole]] (PBO) || Very high tensile strength and thermal stability || Used in [[tennis racquets]], [[table tennis blade]]s, [[body armor]], etc. 
|}

==Summary Chart==
[[File:Plastics Summary.svg|Overview of chemical structure and uses of common polymers.]]

==Plastic identification codes==
{{main|Resin identification code|Plastic recycling}}

== See also ==
*[[Polymerization]]
*[[RAFT (chemistry)]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Polymers]]
[[Category:Artificial materials]]
[[Category:Chemistry-related lists]]