C1 Designer polymers

C1 Designer polymers

1. Breathable polymers

   • Nylon is tough,lightweight,keeps water out and keeps UV light out but does not let water vapour through.
   • GORE-TEX has all the properties of nylon but is also breathable, so it is worn by many active outdoor people. Water vapour from sweat can pass through the membrane but rainwater cannot

2. Disposing of polymers

   • Scientists are develping new types of polymers; polymers that dissolve and biodegradable polymers
   • Research into new polymers is important because there are enviromental and economic issues with the use of existing polymers

3. Stretchy polymers and rigid polymers

   • Atoms in polymers are held together by strong covalent bonds
   • There properties of plastics can be related to simple models of their structure