CHAPTER - 1
SYNTHETIC FIBRE
AND PLASTIC
POLYMER
• Polymer : Polymers are large single unit
formed by large number of small molecule
with high molecular weight is known as
monomer
• Example : Cellulose polymer of glucose
polythene polymer of ethene.
CLASSIFICATION OF POLYMER
• Biopolymer : Polymer which are found in
nature are called natural polymer and they
mostly obtained from animals and plants.
• Example : Starch and cellulose : polymer of
glucose.
Protein: polymer of amino acid.
SYNTHETIC POLYMER
• Synthetic polymer : Polymer which are
prepared in laboratory are called synthetic
polymer.
• Example : Polythene polymer of ethene.
Polystyrene polymer of styrene.
ON THE BASIS OF STRUCTURE
• 1.) Linear polymer : In these polymer
monomeric unit are joined together to
form long straight chain like structure. This
polymer having high densities and high
melting point.
• Linear polymer:-
• 2.) Branched chain polymer : In this
polymer monomeric unit are joined to
produce long chain with different length.
These having low densities and low melting
point.
Branched chain polymer:-
• 3.) Cross linked polymer : In this polymer
monomeric unit are linked to each other in
a three dimensional network like structure.
These polymer are hard , rigid , brittle in
nature.
FIBRE
• Fibre : Fibre is a substance that can be
spun into yarn .e.g. wool ,silk etc.
NATURAL FIBRE
• NATURAL Fibre : Fibre which are obtained
from plants and animals is called natural
fibre . E.g. cotton, jute, coir etc.
SYNTHETIC FIBRE
• SYNTHETIC Fibre : Fibre which are
prepared in laboratory by man is called
synthetic fibre
• Example : nylon, polyester etc.
Advantage of synthetic fibre Disadvantage of synthetic
fibre
• Strong and more durable • Do not allow air to pass
• Resistant to moth and through them
insect • Uncomfortable in
• Resistant to heat , sunlight, summer
chemical • Damaged at high
• Absorb less water so dry temperature
easily • Catch fire easily
• Less expensive and • Do not absorb sweet
affordable • Cause rashes on skin
• Hazardous to the
environment and non-
bio degradable
RAYON
• Rayon production : Rayon is made from cellulose by
the chemical treatment of naturally occurring polymer.
• Property of rayon
USES OF RAYON
NYLON
• Nylon : Nylon was the first fully synthetic
fibre. It was prepared from coal, water, air.
• Variant of nylon :
• Nylon-6, 6,nylon-6, 10 and nylon-6
• Nylon-6, 6 is the most common variant of
nylon.
PROPERTIES OF NYLON
USES OF NYLON
POLYESTER
USES OF POLYESTER
Terylene
• Terylene : it is a popular polyester.
• Fabric made from it do not wrinkle easily.
• Polyester dresses are in great demand.
• Another name of terylene is dacron.
PET (POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE)
• PET : It is another type of polyester which
widely used in making bottles, wires,
utensils.
PLASTIC
• Plastic : Plastic is a common term for
widely rang of synthetic or semi synthetic
fibre. It having high molecular weight and
may contain other substance.
Classification of plastic
• Thermoplastic : These plastic are not heat
resistant. On heating they melt and reshaped
again and again they regain their property on
cooling.
Example : polythene, polystyrene, PVC.
• Thermosetting plastic : Thermosetting plastic
are heat resistant. They can moulded only once
and cannot be reshaped again.
Example : Bakelite, melamine
NAME OF COMMON PLASTIC
Polythene : Polythene is prepared by
polymerisation of ethene molecules.
• It is not attacked by strong chemical it is
corrosion and act as an insulator
• Uses :
1.) Making thin sheets
2.) As insulating material for electric wires
3.) As anti-corrosion coating for iron and
copper etc.
Teflon(Polytetrafluoroethene): It is formed by the
polymerisation of tetrafluoroethene molecules.
• It is a thermoplastic.
• Resistant to chemical and heat.
Uses :
1.) For non-stick coating of utensils
2.) As lubricant, especially, for inaccessible parts of
machine.
Bakelite :
1.) a thermosetting plastic
2.)Poor conductor of heat and electricity
3.) is hard and non-flexible
4.) ones it breaks cannot be rejoined by
heating
• Uses :
1.) Making handle of utensils and most
electrical fittings.
2.) Making buttons , lamps , combs and
office stationery etc.
3.) Making radio , telephone and television
cabinets.
Melamine :
1.) a thermosetting plastic.
2.) a cross-linked polymer.
3.) highest capacity of heat and flame resistance.
Uses :
1.)making plastic crockery under brand name melmac
2.) used as fire proof plastic . The uniform of firemen
have coating of melamine.
3.)making floor tiles.
Polypropene :
- is a linear polymer
- formed by polymerisation of propene
molecules
- is thermoplastic and stronger , harder ,
lighter than polythene.
• Uses of Polypropene:
1.) Making ropes, packing material
containers , synthetic carpets
2.) Containers of automobile batteries
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) :
- is linear polymer prepared by
polymerisation of vinyl chloride molecules.
- is a thermoplastic.
- is tougher than polythene
- resistant to corrosion and insects.
• Uses : 1.) commonly used to insulate electric
wires.
2.)for making hand bags , rain coats ,
vinyl flooring , soles of shoes , gramphone
records, water pipes etc.
Polystyrene :
-is a linear polymer prepared by the polymerisation
of styrene monomer
-is a thermoplastic
-most common polystyrene is thermocol
-is a light material.
• Uses :
1) Used as component of refrigerator,
coolers.
2) packing material like computer, mobile
3) making toys
Advantage of plastic Disadvantage of plastic
• Strong, hard, flexible • Non-biodegradable
• Corrosion free , resistant • On burning evolve black
to chemical and poisonous smoke
• Bad conductor of heat • They may block the
and electricity digestive canal
• Recycle and moulded • Unhygienic to store food
again
• Light in weight and
durable
RUBBER
• (1) Natural rubber : Rubber is a natural
polymer and possesses elastic properties
• manufactured from rubber latex
• Latex is obtained from the bark of rubber tree
• Vulcanisation of rubber : this process consist
of heating a mixture of raw rubber with
sulphur and make it more stiff
• 2.) Synthetic rubber :
1. Synthetic rubber is a vulcanisable rubber like
polymer
2. stretches twice its length
3. is a polymer of chloroprene is called neoprene.
5-R PRINCIPLE
