Synthetic polymers summary

What are special conditions in polymer chemistry?

Conditions such as heat or catalysts required to facilitate polymerization.

What are nylon's special properties?

Strong and elastic.

What two compounds are needed to make nylon?

Adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine.

What type of polymerization is used to make nylon and what special conditions are needed?

Condensation or addition. Heat needed, catalyst for nylon-6

What is polyethylene (PE) made from?

Ethene.

What type of polymerization is used for polyethylene (PE) and what special conditions are needed?

Addition, radical initiator

What is a special property of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)?

Flexible.

What is a special property of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)?

Rigid.

What is polypropylene (PP) made from?

Propene

What type of polymerization is used for polypropylene (PP) and what special conditions are needed?

Addition, radical initiator

What are polypropylene's special properties?

Strong and chemically resistant.

What is poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) made from?

Vinyl chloride.

What type of polymerization is used for PVC and what special conditions are needed?

Addition, radical initiator

What are the special properties of PVC?

Rigid or flexible.

What is polystyrene (PS) made from?

Styrene.

What type of polymerization is used for polystyrene (PS) and what special conditions are needed?

Addition, radical initiator

What are polystyrene's special properties?

Rigid and brittle.

What two compounds are needed to make polyethylene terephthalate (PET)?

Ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.

What type of polymerization is used for PET and what special conditions are needed?

Condensation, heating and a catalyst are needed

What are the special properties of PET?

Strong and wrinkle-resistant.

What two compounds are needed to make phenol resin (Bakelite)?

Phenol and formaldehyde.

What type of polymerization is used for phenol resin and what special conditions are needed?

Condensation, heating and acid or base catalyst

What is a special property of phenol resin?

Hard and heat resistant.

What two compounds are needed to make urea resin?

Urea and formaldehyde.

What type of polymerization is used for urea resin and what special conditions are needed?

Condensation, heating and acid or base catalyst

What is a special property of urea resin?

Adhesive and rigid.

What is a typical property of synthetic fibers?

Low water absorption / hydrophobic.