Polymers, elastomers, biopolymers

elastomers

NN BST

• able to be stretched and then return to og shape

• self finishing

• pignemts can be added during manufacturing process

• improves grip

• non toxic

Natural Rubber

Elastomer - used for tyres, rubber bands, footwear

Advantages

• Good elasticity and flexibility

• Excellent tensile strength

• Resistant to abrasion and wear

• Biodegradable

Disadvantages

• Can degrade with prolonged exposure to UV light and ozone

• Not resistant to oil and solvents

• Relatively poor at high temperatures

Polybutadiene

Elastomer - used for tyres, sports equipment, impact-resistant parts

Advantages

• Excellent wear resistance

• Good elasticity at low temperatures

• Low glass transition temperature (good flexibility in cold weather)

• Highly resistant to abrasion

Disadvantages

• Can be sensitive to oxidation and UV light

• Not as resistant to heat as other elastomers

Neoprene

Elastomer - used for wetsuits, gaskets, hoses, seals

Advantages

• Resistant to oil, chemicals, and weathering

• Good flexibility across a wide range of temperatures

• Good aging resistance

• Non-toxic and stable

• Easily pigmented

Disadvantages

• Relatively expensive compared to natural rubber

• Can degrade under prolonged exposure to sunlight

Silicone

Elastomer - used for cookware, medical devices, seals, electrical insulation

Advantages

• Excellent heat resistance

• Non-toxic and biocompatible

• Good electrical insulating properties

• Resistant to UV light, ozone, and weathering

Disadvantages

• Expensive compared to other elastomers

• Can be sensitive to solvents and oils

Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)

Elastomer - used for grips, seals, flexible tubing, consumer goods

Advantages

• Can be reprocessed by melting

• Good flexibility and impact resistance

• Lightweight

• Non-toxic and safe for a wide range of applications

Disadvantages

• Lower heat resistance compared to thermoset elastomers

• Can be less durable in harsh conditions

biodegradable polymers

PPP CBG

• Can be moulded into various 3D products or films

• Degrade naturally with exposure to UV rays (sunlight), water, or enzymes in soil

• Helps reduce long-term environmental pollution from plastic waste

• Exhibit similar mechanical properties to conventional plastics (e.g., flexibility, strength)

• Degradation may be slower in certain environments or conditions

• Can be more expensive to produce than traditional plastics

• May not always meet performance requirements for long-term durability

Corn Starch Polymers

biodegradable polymers - used for food packaging, disposable cutlery, agricultural films

Advantages

• Biodegradable and compostable

  Renewable and made from a natural resource

  Good moisture resistance

Disadvantages

• May be less durable than traditional plastics

• Can absorb moisture, affecting stability

• May have limited applications due to mechanical properties

Potatopak

biodegradable polymers - used for packaging, disposable food containers, protective wrapping

Advantages

• Made from potato starch, biodegradable and compostable

• Good alternative to traditional plastic packaging

• Renewable and sustainable material source

Disadvantages

• May not be as durable as traditional plastic

• Susceptible to moisture and water damage

• Higher production costs compared to conventional plastics

Biopol (Bio-Batch Additive)

biodegradable polymers - used for film, carrier cags, agricultural products

Advantages

• Enhances biodegradability of plastic materials

• Made from bacteria grown in cultures

• Can be added to existing plastic production to promote degradation

• Environmentally friendly and compostable

Disadvantages

• May affect the strength and durability of plastics

• Requires specific conditions for full degradation

• Can increase production costs for plastic items

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)

biodegradable polymers - used for packaging, agricultural products, medical devices

Advantages

• Fully biodegradable and compostable

• Made from bacteria grown in cultures

• Can be produced from renewable resources like plant sugars

• Has similar properties to conventional plastics

Disadvantages

• Higher production costs compared to petroleum-based plastics

• Requires specialised equipment for production

• May have limited commercial scale production at present

Polylactic Acid (PLA)

biodegradable polymers - used for food packaging, disposable cutlery, medical applications

Advantages

• Made from renewable resources (corn, sugarcane)

• Biodegradable and compostable under specific conditions

• Non-toxic and safe for food contact applications

Disadvantages

• Requires industrial composting conditions to degrade fully

• Less heat-resistant compared to conventional plastics

• Can be more expensive than petroleum-based plastics

Glycolide

biodegradable polymers - used for laundry pods, food films, agriculture ground sheet

Advantages

• Soluble in water, making them easy to dispose of in water systems

• Biodegradable and non-toxic

• Ideal for single-use applications and controlled release systems

• Has superior strength and faster degradation rate compared to PLA

Disadvantages

• May degrade too quickly in humid or wet environments

• Limited durability for products that need to withstand moisture

• Can be more expensive to produce compared to conventional plastics

Lactide

biodegradable polymers - used for slow release medication, laundry pods, bone repair fixings

Advantages

• Soluble in water, making them easy to dispose of in water systems

• Biodegradable and non-toxic

• Ideal for single-use applications and controlled release systems

• Has superior strength and faster degradation rate compared to PLA

Disadvantages

• May degrade too quickly in humid or wet environments

• Limited durability for products that need to withstand moisture

• Can be more expensive to produce compared to conventional plastics

thermoplastics

PPP PHN ALPH

• Thermoplastics can be reheated and reshaped, this gives them a wide range of appications

• Both types of polymer can be recycled but thermoplastics are easier to recycle

• Both types of polymers can be easily pigmented (coloured)

• Thermoplastics are prone to UV degradation

• Both polymers are heat and eletrical insulators

• Both polymers are hygenic, easily cleaned and waterproof

Production and extraction

• Fractional distillation of crude oil produces hydrocarbons

• One of the factions produced is called naphtha, and is the main one used for the production of polymers

Hydrocarbon chains:

• Cracking breaks large hydrocarbons into smaller and more useful forms

• Small → low bp, very volatile, flows easily and ignites easily

• Large → high bp, not volatile, doesn’t flow or ignite easily

Stock forms for polymers

• Sheet – Large, flat sections of polymer used for signage, packaging, and protective covers.

• Film – Thin and flexible polymer material used for packaging, wrapping, and waterproofing.

• Granules – Small pellets of polymer, commonly used in injection moulding and extrusion processes.

• Rod – Solid cylindrical shape used for machining, structural applications, and components.

• Other extruded forms – Includes tubes, channels, and profiles used in construction, insulation, and automotive applications.

• Foam – Lightweight polymer with air pockets, used in cushioning, insulation, and protective packaging.

• Powder – Fine polymer particles used in coatings, sintering processes, and rotational moulding.

Polypropylene (PP)

Thermoplastic - melting point 130c, safe working temp 100c, used for food packaging medical syringes, carpets

Advantages

• Lightweight

• Hard

• Impact resistant

• Chemical resistant

Disadvantages

• Can discolour from UV light

• Oxidation can cause problems

• Not heat resistant

• Difficult to paint

Polymethyl Methacorylate (Acrylic) (PMMA)

Thermoplastic - melting point 160c, safe working temp 95c, used for CD cases, baths, glass replacement

Advantages

• Stiff

• Hard

• Durable

• Good electrical insulator

• Available in a range of colours

Disadvantages

• Very brittle

• Scratches easily

• Splinters easily

• Poor fatigue properties

Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride (uPVC)

Thermoplastic - melting point 100c, safe working temp 95c, used for windows, guttering and pipes

Advantages

• Good chemical and weather resistance

• Durable and long-lasting

• Rigid

• Good electrical insulator

Disadvantages

• Can degrade under UV light

• Releases toxic fumes when burned

• Difficult to recycle

Flexible Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Thermoplastic - melting point 100c, safe working temp 95c, used for hosepipes and cable insulation

Advantages

• Good chemical and weather resistance

• Durable and long-lasting

• Flexible

• Good electrical insulator

• Can be foamed which adds volume without weight

Disadvantages

• Can degrade under UV light

• Releases toxic fumes when burned

• Contains plasticisers that may leach out

• Difficult to recycle

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)

Thermoplastic - melting point 217c, safe working temp 70c, used for food packaging, preproduction prototypes and childrens toys

Advantages

• More durable than regular PS

• Rigid with low shrinkage

• Easy to mould and press

• Good dimensional stability

• Accepts paints and glues well

• Low cost material

Disadvantages

• Poor chemical resistance

• Brittle at low temperatures

• Poor UV resistance (yellows outdoors)

• Flammable (releases toxic fumes when burning)

Nylon (Polyamide)

Thermoplastic - melting point 258c, safe working temp 150c, used for bearings, gears, ropes and cable ties

Advantages

• High strength and durability

• Good wear resistance

• Low friction coefficient

• Resistant to chemicals and abrasion

Disadvantages

• Absorbs moisture, reducing strength

• Can degrade under UV light

• Produces static electricity

• Difficult to recycle

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Thermoplastic - melting point 260c, used for fibres in clothing, food containers and washing up bottles

Advantages

• Good alcohol and oil barrier

• Weather resistant

• Can be made transparent

• Inert/non-toxic

• Stiff/tough/hard

• Available in a range of colours

Disadvantages

• Can discolour from UV light

• Needs to be treated when used for food containers

• Susceptible to heat degradation

Acrylonitile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Thermoplastic - melting point 220c, safe working temp 80c, used for lego, helmets, suitcases, fidget spinners

Advantages

• Good chemical resistance

• Hard

• Tough/durable

• Heat resistant

• Naturally good finish

• Great for injection moulding

Disadvantages

• Can discolour from UV light

• Poor solvent resistance

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

Thermoplastic - melting point 105c , safe working temp 65c, used for squeezy bottles, plastic films, plastic bags

Advantages

• Highly flexible and soft

• Good chemical resistance

• Easy to process and seal

• Transparent in thin films

Disadvantages

• Lower strength than HDPE

• Poor heat resistance

• Prone to UV degradation

• Can deform under load

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

Thermoplastic - melting point 120c , safe working temp 65c, used for milk jugs, detergent bottles, pipes, toys, cutting boards

Advantages

• High strength-to-density ratio

• Resistant to impacts and chemicals

• Stiff and durable

• Good moisture barrier

• Waxy texture

Disadvantages

• Less flexible than LDPE

• Susceptible to stress cracking

• Difficult to bond (needs welding/adhesives)

• Limited transparency

thermosetting polymers

PEMU

• Burn with too much heat

• Both types of polymer can be recycled

• Thermosetting polymers are heat resistant and more durable, they retain their shape when heated

• Both types of polymers can be easily pigmented (coloured)

• Both polymers are heat and eletrical insulators

• Both polymers are hygenic, easily cleaned and waterproof

Polyester Resin

Thermosetting polymer -, safe working temp 95c, used for chair sets, GRP, CFRP and garden furniture

Advantages

• Good electrical insulator

• Heat resistant

• Hard

• Cost effective

Disadvantages

• Short shelf life

• Emissions are harmful

• Brittle unless treated

Epoxy Resin

Thermosetting polymer - safe working temp 150c, used for adhesives, paints and electronics

Advantages

• Corrosion resistant

• Electrical insulator

• Good bond qualities

• Rigid

Disadvantages

• Causes health issues/toxic fumes

• Brittle

Melamine Formaldehyde (MF)

Thermosetting polymer - safe working temp 130c, used for buttons, electrical insulation and laminates

Advantages

• Hard and durable

• Excellent heat resistance

• Good chemical and moisture resistance

• Scratch and stain resistant

Disadvantages

• Brittle and can shatter under impact

• Not recyclable

• Can release formaldehyde during production

• Limited flexibility

Urea Formaldehyde (UF)

Thermosetting polymer - safe working temp 80c, used for wood glue for plywood or chip board as well as toilet seats and plug sockets

Advantages

• Strong

• Hard

• Heat resistant

• Good electrical insulator

Disadvantages

• Can emit toxic vapours during manufacture

• Brittle