Properties of Plastics

Properties of Plastics

1. Monomers

   • Small molecules that combine to form Polymers
   • 'Mono' means one. 'Poly' means many.

2. Polymers

   • Are large molecules made up of many monomers
   • polymerisation is a process in which many momoners combine to form a polymer
     • Two different types of polymerisation
       • Condensation
         • Same as addition polymerisation, except water or there small molecules are produces as well as polymer
         • Polyesters and polymides are examples of synthetic condensation polymers
         • Starch and cellulose are natural condensation polymers
       • Addition
         • Alkenes (=) are monomers used to make addition polymers
   • Plastics are man-made Polymers

3. Ethene monomers are used to make Poly(Ethene)

   • Poly(Propene) is made from propene monomers