OCR AS Chemistry - Polymers

OCR AS Chemistry - Polymers

1. Polypropylene

   • Resistant to chemical attack
   • Uses
     • Containers that are dishwasher safe
     • Food packaging
     • Fibre in carpets
     • Ropes

2. Polythene

   • Most used plastic
   • Uses
     • Shampoo bottles
     • Plastic Bags
     • Toys

3. Polyphenylethene

   • Cheap
   • Uses
     • Insulation
     • Model making in food industry
     • Foam packaging

4. Polymer waste

   • Represent 10% of municipial waste
   • Non-biodegradable plastics is a major reason why plastics need to be recycled
     • Recycling Polymers
       • For every tonne of plastic recycled,about 1.8 tonnes of oil is saved
       • Recyling started in early 1980s
       • Recyling involves two stages
         • Sorting
           • The Polymer identification codes are used to seperate the plastics
           • If PVC is not separated effectively from PET it undermines the recycling process. PVC is also known to release poisonous dioxins when heated
         • Reclamation
           • Chopped into small flakes before washing to remove impurities
           • Waste is then made into new material by melting the pellets and remoudling
       • Recycling PVC
         • Problematic
           • High chlorine content
         • Incineration prevents PVC going into landfill sites
           • May cause corrosion to the plant itself
           • Acidic hydrogen chloride fumes are frequently detected
         • First commercial PVC recycling plant
           • PVC separated from other scrap by dissolving in solvents
             • Solvent is recovered and used again

5. As a fuel source

   • Produced heat energy if burned
     • Used for electricity

6. Biodegradable and compostable polymer

   • Bioplastics
     • Compostable
     • Biodegradable
     • Derived from raw materials
       • Starch
       • Maize
       • Cellulose
       • Lactic Acid
     • Manufactured by non hazardous processes
     • Bioplastics degrade naturally in the enviroment

7. Polymer Identification codes

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