Key knowledge:
• the formation of polymers from monomers including addition polymerisation of alkenes
• the distinction between linear (thermoplastic) and cross-linked (thermosetting) polymers with reference to structure, bonding and properties including capacity to be recycled
• the features of linear polymers designed for a particular purpose including the selection of a suitable monomer (structure and properties), chain length, degree of branching, percentage crystalline areas and addition of plasticisers
• the advantages and disadvantages of the use of polymer materials.
• the formation of polymers from monomers including addition polymerisation of alkenes
• the distinction between linear (thermoplastic) and cross-linked (thermosetting) polymers with reference to structure, bonding and properties including capacity to be recycled
• the features of linear polymers designed for a particular purpose including the selection of a suitable monomer (structure and properties), chain length, degree of branching, percentage crystalline areas and addition of plasticisers
• the advantages and disadvantages of the use of polymer materials.
WHAT ARE POLYMERS?
•A polymer molecule is made up of a large number of units called monomers joined together in chains.
•When monomers link together to form a polymer chain the process is called polymerisation.
•Copolymers are formed when two or more different monomers are used.
•Synthetic polymers are commonly called plastics. “Plastic” means able to be moulded during production.
RECYCLING POLYMERS
•Plastic can be recycled. This process involves identifying first the type of plastic.
•Important Considerations:
1.Polymers are usually not biodegradable.
2.Production of polymers involved the depletion of a finite resource, fossil fuels.
•A polymer molecule is made up of a large number of units called monomers joined together in chains.
•When monomers link together to form a polymer chain the process is called polymerisation.
•Copolymers are formed when two or more different monomers are used.
•Synthetic polymers are commonly called plastics. “Plastic” means able to be moulded during production.
RECYCLING POLYMERS
•Plastic can be recycled. This process involves identifying first the type of plastic.
•Important Considerations:
1.Polymers are usually not biodegradable.
2.Production of polymers involved the depletion of a finite resource, fossil fuels.
Plastic identification codes courtesy of By Filtre - Open Clipart Library, http://openclipart.org/detail/84931/resin-identification-code-by-filtre, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24563408