Uses of Polymers

Uses of Polymers

1. The properties of polymers decide what they are used for. Different polymers have different physical properties. These different properties make them suited for different uses.

   • Strong rigid polymers - (high density polyethene) - used to make plastic milk bottles.
     • Light, stretchable polymers - (low density polyethene) - plastic bags and squeezy bottles.
       • PVC - strong and durable. The rigid kind is used to make window frames and piping. The stretchy kind is used to make synthetic leather.
       • Polystyrene foam - packaging to protect breakable things and disposable coffee cups.

2. Low density polyethene has a low melting point, so therefore is not a good material for anything that will get hot.

3. Polymers are often used to make clothes. Nylon is a synthetic polymer used to make clothes.

4. Non bio-degradable plastics can cause disposal problems. Most polymers are biodegradable meaning they cannot be broken down by micro-organisms, so they don't rot. This property is considered useful until it is time to get rid of your plastic.

5. It is difficult to get rid of plastics - if you bury them in a landfill site, they will still be there years later. Landfill sites fill up quickly and they are a waste of land and plastic.

6. When plastics are burnt, some of them release gases such as acidic sulphur dioxide and poisonous hydrogen chloride and hydrogen cyanide.

7. The best thing is to reuse plastics and recycle them where possible. This is very expensive and difficult though.