II.

Properties and uses of copolymers

A. Styrene-butadiene (SBR, Buna S, Buna rubber)
1. Properties 2. Uses
a. Elastomeric a. Tires
b. Abrasion resistance b. Shoe heels and soles
c. Aging stability c. Gaskets
d. Resistance to nonpolar solvents

B. Styrene –acrylonitrile (SAN)

1. Properties 2. Uses
a. Transparent a. Food containers
b. Heat resistant b. Optical disks
i. Tg(PS) = 95 °C Tg(SAN) = 195 °C c. Packaging
ii. Hydrogen bonding from acrylonitrile increases Tg.
c. Moderate tensile strength
d. Low impact resistance, brittle
e. Copolymer strengthens when crazed.

C. Acrylonitrile – Butadiene – Styrene (ABS)

1. Composition 2. Properties 3. Uses
a. Acrylonitrile – 15% to 35% a. Acrylonitrile adds toughness a. Auto parts
b. Butadiene – 5% to 30% through hydrogen bonding. b. Athletic helmets
c. Styrene – 40% to 60% b. Butadiene adds elasticity c. Golf clubhead
d. Technically, ABS is a c. Impact resistant d. Legos
terpolymer. d. Heat resistant e. Clarinets, recorders
e. Solvent resistant
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 i. Susceptible to H2SO4, HNO3,
aromatic hydrocarbons, esters,
ketones, CCl4, glacial acetic acid.

D. Ethylene – vinyl acetate (EVA)

1. Properties 2. Uses
a. Impact resistance a. Clothing foams
b. Low temperature toughness i. Boots
c. Transparent ii. Crocs
d. Resistance to UV radiation b. Substitute for cork
e. Vinyl acetate improves wettability of polymer c. Time – release drug delivery
f. Elastomeric i. Drug is dispersed in polymer matrix.
g. Can be processed like a thermoplastic ii. As water attacks polymer, matrix with drug
slowly dissolves and
disperses.
iii. Copolymer is not metabolized.

E. Ethylene – tetrafluoroethylene (EFTE)

1. Properties 2. Uses
a. High tensile strength a. Protective gloves
b. Puncture resistant b. Electrical insulation
c. Low coefficient of friction (“Low-stick”) c. Windows (Beijing water cube – 2008 Olympics)

F. Polyurethane – polyethylene glycol

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1. Properties 2. Uses
a. Elastomeric (elongation 500%) a. Spandex (fiber from DuPont)
b. Low density b. Lycra (fabric from DuPont)
c. Abrasion resistant c. Athletic garments
d. Poor strength
e. Smooth, comfortable fabric

G. Stryene – maleic anhydride

1. Properties 2. Uses
a. Transparent a. Optical fiber
b. High heat resistance b. Engineering plastic
c. Low thermal expansivity c. Blended with ABS or PVC to increase heat
d. Anhydride groups make the copolymer soluble in stability
alkaline solutions d. Coatings and adhesives
e. Impact resistance e. Compatibilizer (aids blending of ABS and nylon)

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9

A. Styrene-butadiene (SBR, Buna S,

Buna rubber)
1. Properties 2. Uses
a. Elastomeric a. Tires
b. Abrasion resistance b. Shoe heels and soles
c. Aging stability c. Gaskets
d. Resistance to nonpolar solvents

B. Styrene –acrylonitrile (SAN)

1. Properties
a. Transparent
b. Heat resistant
i. Tg(PS) = 95 °C Tg(SAN) = 195 °C
ii. Hydrogen bonding from acrylonitrile
increases Tg.
c. Moderate tensile strength
d. Low impact resistance, brittle
e. Copolymer strengthens when crazed.
2. Uses
a. Food containers
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