Polymer Classification Based on Heat
Based on its nature to heat, polymers can be distinguished from thermoplastic polymers (non-heat resistant, such as plastics) and thermostopped polymers (heat resistant, such as melamine).
Thermoplastic polymer
Thermoplast polymers are heat-resistant polymers. When the polymer is heated it will melt (soften), and can be melted to be reprinted (recycled). For example polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC.
Polymer posted
Posting polymers are heat-resistant polymers. The polymer when heated will not melt (difficult to soften), and difficult to recycle. For example melamine and bakelite.
Examples of Artificial Polymers
In everyday life, we certainly use a lot of artificial polymers. Here are some examples of artificial polymers around us:
Synthetic Rubber
With the increasing need for car and motorcycle tires, organic chemists have developed the manufacture of synthetic rubber to accelerate the acquisition of these needs. Synthetic rubbers are made using monomer-based materials, such as butadiene and styrene by copolymerization.
Synthetic Fiber
Cotton is a natural fiber which is a polymer from carbohydrates (cellulose), and a polymer from protein (wool and silk). Like rubber, fiber has synthetic polymers, namely nylon and polyester (dacron). Dakron or tetoron is polyester. This polymer is very strong, very flexible and transparent.
Orlon
Orlon is an addition polymer of an acrylonitrile monomer. This polymer is a synthetic fiber, like wool used in textiles as a mixture of wool, carpet, and socks.
Plastic
Plastic is the most popular synthetic polymer because it is widely used in everyday life. Based on the type of monomer, there are several types of plastic, namely as follows:
Polyethene (Polyethylene)
Polyethylene is a plastic polymer that is resilient (clay), low density, flexible, difficult to damage if long exposed in the air or when exposed to mud, but can not stand the heat. Polyethene is a plastic that is widely produced, printed sheets for plastic bags, yard wrapping, buckets, etc.
Polypropene (Polypropylene)
Polypropene has the same properties as polyethene. Because this plastic is also widely produced, only its strength is greater than polyethene and is more resistant to heat and resistant to acid and base reactions. This plastic is also used to make plastic bottles, sacks, water tanks, ropes, and electric canisters (insulators).
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
PVC has hard and rigid properties used to make plastic pipes, plastic pipes, electrical cable pipes, synthetic leather, and plastic tiles.
Teflon (Tetrafluoroetene)
Teflon is a thin layer that is very resistant to heat and resistant to chemicals. Teflon is used for pan coatings (nonstick panic), tank coatings in chemical plants, broken pipes, and electrical cables.
Bakelit (Phenol Formaldehyde)
Bakelite is a type of polymer made from two types of monomers, namely phenol and formaldehyde. This polymer is very hard, its melting point is very high and it is fire resistant. Bakelite is used for electrical installations and tools that can withstand high temperatures, such as ashtrays and electric light fittings.
Flexiglass (Polymethyl Methacrylate)
Polymethyl Methacrylate abbreviated as PMMA has the trade name Flexiglass. Polymethyl methacrylate is the addition polymerization of the methyl methacrylate monomer (H2C = CH-COOH3). PMMA is a strong and transparent plastic. This polymer is used for aircraft windows and car taillights.