Name of polymer

Abbreviat-ion

Starting materials (monomers)

Nature of polymer

Properties

Applications

(i) Polyolefines

(a) Polyethylene or polyethene

LDPE (Low density polyethene)

CH₂ = CH₂

Low density homopolymer (branched) chain growth.

Transparent, moderate tensile power, high toughness.

Packing material take bags, insulation for electrical wires and cables.

HDPE (high density polyethene)

CH₂ = CH₂

High density homopolymer (linear) chain growth.

Transluscent, chemically inert, greater tensile strength, toughness.

Manufacture of buckets, tubs, house ware, pipes, bottles and toys.

(b) Polypropylene or polypropene

PP

CH₃ CH = CH₂

Homopolymer, linear, chain growth.

Stronger and Harder than polyethene.

Packing of foods, textiles, liners for bags, heat, ropes, automobile mouldings, shrinkage wraps, stronger pipes bottles and carpet fibres.

(c) Styron or Styrofoam or Polystyrene

C₆H₅CH = CH₂

Homopolymer, linear, chain growth

Transparent

Plastic toys, house hold wares, radio and television bodies, refrigerator linings.

(ii) Polyhaloolefines

CH₂ = CH -Cl

Vinyl Chloride

(a) Polyvinyl chloride

PVC

Homopolymer chains growth

Thermoplastic

(i) Plasticised with high boiling esters PVC used in rain coats, hand bags, shower curtains, fabrics, shoe soles, vinyl flooring (ii) Good electrical insulator (iii) Hose pipes.

(b) Teflon or Polytetrafluoroet-hylene 

PTFE

F₂C = CF₂

Homopolymer, high melting point

Flexible and inert to solvents boiling acids even aqua regia. Stable upto 598 K.

(i) For nonstick utensiles coating (ii) Creating pump packings valves, gaskets, seals, non lubricated bearings.

(c) Polymonochlorotri-fluroroethylene

PCTFE

ClFC = CF₂

Homopolymer

Less resistant to heat and chemicals due to presence of chlorine atoms.

Similar to those of teflon.

(iii) Formaldehyde resins

(a) Bakelite or Phenol formaldehyde resin 

Phenol and formaldehyde

Copolymer, step growth

Thermosetting polymer, hard and brittle

(i) With low degree polymerisation as bindings glue for wood varnishes, lacquers.

(ii) With greater degree polymerisation for combs, for mica table tops, fountain pen barrels electrical goods (switches and plugs).

(b) Melamine formaldehyde resin

Melamine and formaldehyde

Copolymer, step growth

Thermosetting polymer, hard but not so breakable.

Non-breakable crockery.

(iv) Polyacrylates

(a) Polymethacrylate (lucite, acrylite and plexiglass and perspex)

PMMA

Copolymer

Hard transparent, excellent light transmission, optical clarity better than glass gets up colours.

Lenses light covers lights, shades signboards transparent domes skylight,  dentures, plastic jewellery and aircraft window.

(b) Polyethylacrylate

CH₂ = CH - COOC₂H₅

Copolymer

Tough, rubber like product