Pointers in Chemistry

RUBBERS
1. Differences between NATURAL and SYNTHETIC Rubber.
Natural rubber: The rubber which is obtained from natural sources such as plants
and animals rubber called natural rubber. Natural rubber is made up of solid particles
suspended in a milky white liquid (called latex) that drips from the bark of certain
tropical and subtropical trees.
Synthetic rubber: The rubber which are artificially prepared .i.e man -made are
called synthetic rubbers. Synthetic rubbers are produced from petroleum and natural
gas. It is obtained by polymerization of 1, 3 – butadiene derivatives or by
copolymerization of 1, 3 – butadiene along with an unsaturated monomer.

2. How do you make/produce synthetic rubber?

Synthetic rubber production begins with oil, coal, or other hydrocarbon
processing. Naphtha is produced during the refining process. The naphtha is
extracted and can then be mixed with natural gas to create monomers such
as styrene and isoprene, essential for the manufacturing of synthetic rubber.

3. Ano ang ginagawa ng VULCANIZATION of rubber?

Vulcanization is a chemical process in which the natural rubber is heated with
sulphur, accelerator and activator at 373-415 K. Vulcanised rubber is better
than natural rubber in the sense that it is more elastic, has less Water
absorbing tendency and is more resistant to oxidation and towards organic
solvent.

LUBRICATION
Lubrication is the process, or technique employed to reduce wear on surfaces in close
proximity and moving relative to each another.
Tribology studies friction.

Liquid Lubricant:
It includes animal oils, vegetable oils, petroleum oils, synthetic lubricants.
Examples:

• Animal oils: tallow oil, whale oil etc.

• Vegetable oils: castor oil, palm oil, etc.
• Petroleum oils: petroleum fractions
• Synthetic lubricants: polyglycol, silicones etc.

Semi-solid Lubricants:
are formed by emulsifying oil and fat with thickening agents at higher temperature.

• Soda-based: Have poor water resistance but high heat tolerance.

• Calcium-based: Also have excellent water resistance but best used in lower
temperatures.
• Lithium-based: Have excellent water and heat resistance
Solid Lubricants:
are used in situations in which liquid lubricants are not suitable such as high
temperatures or vacuum environments.
• Graphite: Can withstand higher temperatures and is more abundant.
• Molybdenum Disulfide: Can be used in extreme environments like vacuums and
has less wear.

1. Graphite: Can withstand higher temperatures and is more abundant.

2. Cloud Point: The temperature at which lubricating oil becomes cloudy in
appearance.
3. Pour Point: The lowest temperature at which the lubricant oil become semi-
solid and ceases to flow.
4. Flash Point: the lowest temperature at which vapors of the material will ignite
for a moment when an ignition source brought near to it.
5. Fire Point: The lowest temperature at which the vapor of that fuel will continue
to burn for at least 5 seconds when an ignition source brought near to it.
6. Viscosity: The property of a fluid that determines its resistance to flow. It is an
indicator of flowability of lubricating oil.

PAINTS, VARNISH, and LACQUER

Differences of these three:
Paints add color, provide protection, and cover imperfections on surfaces.
Varnishes enhance and protect wood with a glossy finish. Lacquers offer a quick-
drying, glossy finish for various materials.
Paint is commonly applied to surfaces such as walls, furniture, and metal to
add color, provide protection, and cover imperfections. Paints come in different
finishes, including matte, satin, or glossy. Varnish, on the other hand, is a
transparent or semi-transparent liquid coating that provides a glossy finish and
protective layer. It is typically used on wood surfaces like furniture, floors, and
cabinetry to enhance their natural beauty and shield them from moisture, UV rays,
and wear. Varnish consists of resins dissolved in a solvent and dries to form a hard
and durable coating. Lacquer, similarly, is a clear or colored liquid coating that dries
to a hard and glossy finish. It is often made from nitrocellulose or synthetic resins
dissolved in a solvent. Lacquer is known for its fast-drying properties and is used on
various surfaces including wood, metal, and automotive finishes to achieve a smooth
and vibrant appearance. Overall, while all three finishes serve similar purposes, their
composition, application techniques, and areas of use differ, with paints providing
color and coverage, varnishes protecting and enhancing wood, and lacquers offering a
glossy and durable finish.

CEMENT
Cement is a binder, a substance that sets and hardens independently, and can bind
other materials together. Cement is a paste of calcium silicate hydrates, polymerized
into a densely cross-linked matrix.
Ordinary Portland cement

• It is the most commonly produced and used type of cement around the world.
• This cement is suitable for all kinds of concrete construction.

Quick setting cement

• This type of cement has a very fast setting time

• Is less dense than other types of cement, meaning that it has a shorter
hardening time and a lighter density.
Rapid Hardening Cement -Attains high strength in the early days; it is used in
concrete where formworks are removed at an early stage.
White Cement/Whiten Portland Cement
• It is prepared from raw materials free from Iron oxide
• Produces brightly coloured concrete (white)
Colored Cement
• It is produced by mixing 5- 10% mineral pigments with ordinary cement.
• They are widely used for decorative works on floors.

Compressive strength is the ability of cement paste to withstand axial loads or forces
that tend to squeeze or crush it.
Tensile strength is the ability of cement paste to resist forces that attempt to stretch or
pull it apart.
Flexural strength, also known as bending strength, measures the ability of cement to
withstand bending or flexing forces.
Ferriferous materials Describe a rock or minerals deposits that contains “iron”.
Fineness refers to the particle size distribution of the powder and has a direct impact
on the speed of hydration, the rate of strength development, and the ultimate
strength of the hardened concrete.
How is cement produced in factories? (elaborate)

1. Extraction of raw materials

These raw materials are extracted from the quarry by blasting. They are then
crushed and transported to the plant where they are stored homogenized.

2. Grinding and burning of materials

Very fine grinding produces a fine powder, known as raw meal, which is
preheated and then sent to the kiln.

3. Grinding and shipping of cement

During this phase, additives, which are of natural or industrial origin, may be
added in varying proportions.
Finally, the cement is stored in silos before being shipped in bulk or in bags to
the sites where it will be used.

GLASS
Why is glass commonly used in laboratory/apparatus in laboratory?
Glass is commonly used in laboratory apparatus for several reasons. Firstly, its transparency
allows researchers to easily observe the contents and reactions taking place within the apparatus. This is
crucial for monitoring experiments and making precise measurements. Additionally, glass exhibits
excellent chemical resistance, making it compatible with a wide range of substances. It does not react
with most chemicals, ensuring that the apparatus itself does not interfere with the experiment or
contaminate the samples. Moreover, glass possesses remarkable heat resistance, enabling it to
withstand high temperatures without melting or deforming. This property is particularly valuable for
laboratory glassware used in heating or cooling applications. Lastly, glass is easy to clean and sterilize,
contributing to its popularity in laboratory settings where cleanliness and sterility are essential. Overall,
transparency, chemical resistance, heat resistance, and ease of cleaning make glass an ideal choice for
various laboratory apparatus.
PLASTICS
What is Plastic?
Plastic is defined as a material that contains an essential ingredient an
organic substance of large molecular weight. It is also defined as polymers of
long carbon chains.

COMPOSITE
What Is Composite Matirial ?
A composite material is a combination of two materials with different physical
and chemical
properties.
Typical engineered composite materials include:

• Reinforced concrete and masonry

• Composite wood such as plywood
• Reinforced plastics, such as fiber-reinforced polymer or fiber glass
• Ceramic matrix composites (composite ceramic and metal matrices)
• Metal matrix composites and other advanced composite materials

CERAMICS
Ceramic, derived from the Greek word κεραμικός (keramikos) which means "of
pottery", refers to inorganic non-metallic materials formed by heat.
How are ceramics made?

Ceramics are generally made by taking mixtures of clay, earthen elements, powders,
and water and shaping them into desired forms. Once the ceramic has been shaped, it
is fired in a high temperature oven known as a kiln. Often, ceramics are covered in
decorative, waterproof, paint-like substances known as glazes.
What is the purpose and uses of refractory? (elaborate)
Refractory materials are used to make crucibles and linings for furnaces, kilns and
incinerators, and it can withstand temperatures above 1100 °C without softening.
Give four uses of refractory.
1. Serving as a thermal barrier between a hot medium and the wall of a containing
vessel.
2. Withstanding physical stresses and preventing erosion of vessel walls due to the
hot medium.
3. Protecting against corrosion.
4. Providing thermal insulation.