Synthetic materials ‘The production of synthetic materials began in the mide of ne Teth century with the cher cal conversion of natural, organic raw mater allowing an experimental pha Possible to improve spectic properties of the ?eterials in such @ way tat t wee gracually ossiblo to replace tradibanal products. The erica crossing (vulcanisation) of rubber latex rom the rubber tee to frm rubbery elas ic natural rubber marked the beginning of he rubber industy CCluioid,@ conversion product made from nroceiiose and camphor, is regarded as the first thermoplastic material was used 6s a transparent backing forthe lgh-senstve ay 8 needed for photography. Jp unt the end ofthe 19th century the thse synthetic products required reveals the carbon atom inthe molecules to be ‘he central, common element, whic odue 1 of efit ul syeth ‘car and formaideny IRbecere Boxee Fundamen Of the plastics we know today. The numer comeination options of turer ar omposits, the electical engineering industes, but started to appeer in the bull id 19808 onward ~ ago tor nponents. Since then, architects hev Constated the efficiency of 5 for loadbearing shell struct ding or, for example, the t the tool of the Olympic Stadium in Mu hes of building: either expos 2 a floor covering o facade element, or cealed, 2.9, as waterpro scan & ese!chemical structure of synthotic materials The fossil sw materials patrolaum, natural g3e ze coal were fommed by the decomposition of Grant substances, Over milions of years, | carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) accumuleted on the seebed under the ection of heat and pros swegeacon een ‘and nitragen (N). Te fling feetures are cheracteritc of th ‘ray of synthetic materials, even their Drparies are sometimes very specific: ow Gert, iow thermal canalusivty, high coe ‘cet of thermal expansion, high tensile *h, low modulus of elasticity, nero us Senice temperature renge, good elec: ‘sulaton capably, resistance to water many chemicals, iffammablty, ageing sad by ultraviolet radiation (unless adciives 3 used), brittenase a low lamperstutes, Te giverss range of eyrthetio products oan be anermal properties ‘latcaon accorting to the meted of synthe ens influence the length of the chain and of itaiocking ameng the molecular Homopolymers consist of identical monomers, «2g. pelyathylene (PE), polystyrene (PS) or poy vany\ chloride (PVC) CCopolymerisation isthe reaction between dis arate monomer units, whigh anables the prop: fetis of he synthetic materials ta be varied ‘even furtiex. Copolymers with ingar macroro! 2 acr/IonF ile (SAN) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SER) ‘Step poymersation ‘Sep polymerisation is achieved through the ‘resotion of manomars with reactive groups usualy hydroxy! (OH) or amino groups -NH,) ~10 orm macromolecules. In doing £0, lw molecular molecules, usualy water (H,O}, are given of, The reaction is based on an equi Ur, which allows the reaction to be contalled, Step polymers wih tngar macromolecular ‘sbuctutes are, for example, polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC) and polyester (PET), those witha crassinked structure include, for exam le, phano!-formaldenye resin (PF hain polymerisation The basic principles of chain polymerisation are very similar to those of step polymerisation: different monamers form macrernolocules through reactive groups; however, in this case without giving offiow-molecular by-products, ‘The ensuing producls are classitied according ‘oral chemical sructue,©9, 28 polyrebanes {PUR) or epoxy resins (EP) Tne so-called polymer blends ar alloys occupy 18 special positon. These are blends of et least {wo completa thermoplastos, the aim being to benefit from the properties of both polymers, 2.9, ABS + PC. Classicetion scoring tothe macromolecular respective ofthe methad of are tee groups ef sy synthesis, there netic Matera class >the possite Synthetic matarias the fundrnental properties othe synthetic ‘material, te governing ertrian fr tis clas sification Trermoplasics The macromolactiss of the rorphous thro lecular chains that tangle around themselves but do not foam any chem ‘al bonds with each other. ‘Amorphous thermoplastics are es tansparent ‘9 olage and hard and brite et room tempere= ‘ure, Paralycrystaline therrnoplastcs such as polyamide (PA) also axnibt ordety, so-called Crysaline, regions in adattion to he tanglad regions, which contibuts to the beter crength of auch materials. As the degree of crystalise tion increases, so the wansparericy decreasas. Physical bonding forces hole the macromole: tales together. ‘As the temperature rises, co the bonding forces ‘decrease ard the flexibility ofthe individual Chains increases, which allows the propetiss oi the thermoplastics to gradually change fram hard ta tharmasiastic to thermoplastic, Te process (e.g. malting) I revereble and can 2is0 be achieved with certain solvents, tis this ‘characteristic that allows the thermoplastics ‘bs readlly moulded, machined and reo Eestomers Elastomers consist of cross-inkad low-density molecular chains. Upon forming they are joined {gether chemicaly (vuicanisation) and cannat be separated again by applying heat, and therefore cannot rlt Solvents cause them to ‘swell up. At service temperatures elastomers ‘exhibit a rubbery elastic behaviour and break ‘down reversibly a certain temperates,e 6. slastomers on the basis of styene-butadione rubber (S8F) Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE] such as PUR SBS biock copoiymers have sila oroper: ties to elastomers. However, they exhibi ohysi Thus be processed like thermoplastics high-density, twee-dimersional orossink:thetic materials 2s they are fumed with pressure, neat or hard ners. Mer forming, the infusible thermosels _Plasticiaes inevaase the exit and herd nly be machined. They are hard and brit- also the impact toughness. Hard and brit ie in organic solvents end have the synthetic materials can ts be venstormea righest thermoforming resistance of the three into exible matarials, We cstinguish betne groups of piastcs, Their mechanics properties two types of plastilsation: extemal last improve in conjunetion wath fibre orf on is achieved by adcing viscous, owmal Reaction resins such as epoxy Liar substances which slip between the mail . poly ing (PUR) anu iar chain ofthe synthetic materia, red polyester resins (UP) in the fom of essing ins or moulding carpounds frm the basis, te, ins oof (at for fe compost p60 Proceesing ee rrigrate to ri oh E The manudactre of mo theater e 5 ang fon poy becomes be large pure synthetic matenais in the form of granular material (pellets) to the the synthetic materials in the Virtually nee o axarnal ot Pounding process. Afterwards comes the form: ing process to form the semi-finished or final Flame ratarclants product “The objective of lame retardants sto redial the combustibiy of synthetic materials. In ascves physical terms they bring about oooing rail Besides the dagree of polymarisa vide @ coating Inthe event ofa fee, oF =n Chain, degree of crystalsation and degree of chamical terms ~ form a layer of ash, or pal anching/orosssinking of he synthetic mole- the oxidation of combustible gases. ‘ules, its the adotives that have a considera e influence on the properties ofthe synthetic Blowing agents ‘materia Blowing agenis create foarns fram synthe materials. inthe foaming process, blowing Alors Agents such as highty volatile tds. « Tanging in serphous hemor Flas inthe form of particles, made from organic or inerganic substances ere Used in thermosets as extenders, for improv the surface finish and for reducing the brite ness. They can aso influence te fawing prop: foties and the shrinkage of thermapiastios. Te seaing’, . 13 pressed gases aro allowed to expand. in chemical foaming process chemical react 35 (biowing agents) which ther Non-halogen blowing ooops vod as ris, ads ta galery, Caogre, Geman, Foxmiag methods inal fring of seri-iished pe synthetic bon bres {CF} and are Stations The extruder tums the quid thermopiast “he adciton of siadlisees can help to saunter: thetic compound into PVG, PE, PMIEA 0 tthe damage seentimos caused by heat, sections, rofl . light end ulreviolet radiation. Sesicies ts u {ubes and hoses in a continuous process. pigment bia second stage, eg radiation stably of mar