What About Plastics?

Imagine for a moment that plastic doesn't exist. It's unlikely that you'd have anything to wear!

You probably wouldn't have much of a car to get into. If you get into an accident, the nurse at

the hospital would find it very difficult to administer medication. You get the idea, but what is

plastic and how is it formed? To put it simply, a plastic (or a polymer) is the product of organic

building blocks being strung together with the help of a solvent.

Let's take a moment to examine a little of the chemistry involved. These illustrations are very

basic, but they show the basics of polymers:

The polymer formed here is better known as PlexiglasTM. Although only a chain of 3 are

shown, polymers usually contain much longer chains. In place of 3, we use "X" from this point

forward to mean "many of these molecules". Another example may be:

Perhaps the most common form of polystyrene is when air is bubbled through the molten

form before it sets. This form is most commonly known as StyrofoamTM.

As one final example:

PVC polymer is used in flooring, piping, siding, and garbage bags. There are two basic

types of polymers and they are amorphous and crystalline.

Noncrystalline or amorphous polymers are soft solids such as rubber. Crystalline polymers

take on very rigid forms such as the Plexiglas in the previous example. Crystalline polymers are

probably the more common of the two due to their physical properties. The first commercial

crystalline polymer was developed by Dupont and it is called KevlarTM. KevlarTM is used

in bullet proof vests, helmets, and lightweight boat material. Allied-Signal Company has

developed a more flexible crystalline polymer called SpectaTM which is based on polyethylene.

SpectraTM can be drawn into thin fibers and made into surgical gloves that resist cuts from

scapels, but are also very fitting.

One final "twist" in polymers that is interesting to note is the use of cross linking. Perhaps

the most common example of cross linking is epoxy glue. You have a glue base which is

actually a low temperature, molten, crystalline polymer. Also, there is a hardener included
that acts as a cross linking mechanism for the polymer strands.

The result is a solid material. Some cross linking works gradually such as the mechanism

is epoxy glue, whereas others are instantaneous.