Synthetic Polymers

In the world, there are only two types of polymers. The first one is natural polymers, and the second one is synthetic polymers. Natural polymers are derived from nature, or they occur in nature and can be extracted. Synthetic polymers are artificial polymers made by scientists and engineers in laboratories and derived from petroleum oil. Some examples of naturally derived polymers are silk, wool, cotton, etc. Examples of artificial polymers or synthetic polymers are polythene, nylon, Teflon, etc. Synthetic polymers have replaced natural polymers in various sectors, and they help not only humans but also the environment by being an alternative to natural polymers.

When were synthetic polymers discovered?

John Wesley Hyatt first invented synthetic polymers in 1869. Hyatt discovered a synthetic polymers plastic that can be easily made into various shapes. The discovery of synthetic polymers was revolutionary. This was the first time human manufacturing was not constrained by the limits of the environment or nature. Nature can supply to a limit only, such as substances like wood, bone, stone, metal, etc. But through this invention, humans can create new materials on their own. Synthetic polymers are artificial polymers made by scientists and engineers in laboratories and derived from petroleum oil.

Types of synthetic polymers

There are a variety of types of polymers. Some of them are as follows:-

Polypropylene

Synthetic polymers polypropylene is also known as polypropene. It is a thermoplastic polymer used in a variety of applications such as in labelling, packaging, textiles, stationery products, various types of reusable containers and plastic parts laboratory equipment, etc.

Nylon

Nylon is a polymer that belongs to a synthetic polymer generally known as polyamides. Wallace Carothers was the first to produce nylon at DuPont’s research facility in 1935. Among synthetic polymers, nylon is the most commonly used polymer by people. Have you ever noticed that nylon-made clothes absorb water easily? This results from nylon’s bond engaging property, which engages hydrogen bonding with water.

Elastomers

Elastomer is a rubber-like material composed of long-chain molecules capable of recovering their original shape after being starched. The name elastomer was made by combining two words, elastic and polymer, because of its nature. Natural rubber is made of the Milky latex of different trees. Natural rubber is still an important polymer for industries. Still, now many synthetic options are available, like styrene synthetic rubber styrene synthetic is obtained from by-products of petroleum and natural gases. Elastomers have weak intermolecular forces, which enable the synthetic polymer to be starched.

Synthetic polymer Teflon is a fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and has a variety of applications. Teflon is a solid composed of a high molecular weight compound consisting entirely of fluorine and carbon. Teflon is hydrophobicity that neither reacts with water nor with water substances. Teflon is used in kitchen utensils such as frying pans and other cookware as it has low friction with other compounds.

Polyester

Synthetic polymer polyester is built from multiple chemical repeating units linked by ester groups. Polyester shows a wide range of properties and a variety of practical applications of polymers.

Polyester is used in disposable soft-drink bottles, rubber tires, compact discs, etc.

Advantages of synthetic polymers

Synthetic polymers show various properties that are more desirable than natural polymers,.They have good flexibility, strength, resistivity, chemical internees, and properties. Due to its fine quality of high strength and elasticity, it is used in making ropes for climbing, nets, parachutes, fishing nets, etc. The polymer wh used in the making of boots, gloves, sweaters, furnishing fabric, carpets, and rugs is acrylic. The synthetic polymer known as polythene is used in making film wraps and plastic bags. In the following ways, synthetic polymers replaced many natural polymers and stood as alternatives to natural polymers reducing the dependence on nature.

Conclusion:

This article studied that synthetic polymers play a big role in our daily lives, from plastic containers to factories where clothes, cars, fridges, etc., are being manufactured. Synthetic polymers have a large number of uses. Different polymers have different properties, which allows us to do new and different things. Like elastomers, a rubber-like material can be used as an alternative to natural rubber. Nylon is one of the strongest polymers made by humans, and it is completely a human-made polymer because it only needs water, hydrogen, and carbon as raw materials. It is used to make ropes and parachutes.