Synthetic polymers

Today, without the use of various polymers, it is perhaps impossible to imagine any modern production. They have won a dominant position in both heavy industry and construction, and in the light and food industries. What is this miracle material?

What are polymers

A polymer is a macromolecular substance consisting of periodically repeating chain structures (monomers). There are a lot of such links in the polymer chain. Their interaction among themselves is carried out by means of covalent bonds that promote the formation of macromolecules.

Polymers are of organic or inorganic origin. In organic molecular compounds, the presence of carbon is mandatory, which is not fundamental for inorganic or synthetic structures. Organic polymer compounds are organoelemental, carbocaine and heterochain.

In addition, polymers are further subdivided into natural, artificial and synthetic. Moreover, artificial macromolecular compounds are also obtained from organic mono chains by means of certain chemical reactions. For example, wool or cotton as a result of the chemical process is converted into artificial polymer fibers.

And what are the distinguishing features of artificial polymers from synthetic ones? Modern technological processes enable the artificial creation or synthesis of polymers without the use of organic materials, that is, the formation of artificial materials. Synthetic polymers are obtained by the synthesis of simple low molecular weight substances or from other synthetic polymeric substances.

Classification of polymers

Conditional systematization divides them into the following groups:

1. Natural animal polymers used by mankind for a long time. Examples are the following: gelatin, glycogen.

2. Natural plant polymers, which are also familiar to us. This is starch, rubber, lignin and cellulose.

3. Natural mineral polymers are commonly used silica or quartz mineral, called rock crystal. The colored crystal becomes a precious stone - an amethyst. In crushed form it turns into the usual sand for us.

4. Artificial polymers made from organic monomers. From the cellulose substance, by leaching, polyesters are made: ethylcellulose, benzyl cellulose, and also methyl cellulose, used in the paint and varnish industry. A lot of such substances are made of wool, leather, fur, silk, etc.

5. Synthetic polymers, widely used in many manufacturing industries, have gained immense popularity. For example, in the light industry, fabrics and knitted fabrics are made of such synthetic fibers as lavsan, nylon, polypropylene, nitrone. They are very durable and practically indelible. Synthetic polymers representing the basic composition of the fibers of these tissues are obtained by polycondensation of certain chemical acids with substances such as ethylene glycol, hexamethylenediamine, polyolefin or polyacrylonitrile. Therefore, the main qualities of polymers-"progenitors" are transmitted to completely new polycompounds. As a result, we get very light and elastic materials with low thermal conductivity, resistant to chemical, physical and atmospheric influences.

Thanks to many valuable properties, synthetic polymers have found application not only in the textile industry, but also in medicine, cosmetic and perfume industry, agriculture, automotive, construction, household and other areas.