Uses of polymers
A large molecule formed from many identical smaller molecules known as monomers. are poor conductors of electricity and heat, but their other A large molecule formed from many identical smaller molecules known as monomers. vary depending upon the particular polymer. For example, they can be Able to be seen through. or Not transparent or see-through.. They are often tough and Capable of being bent or flexed many times without breaking., but some are hard and brittle.
Different polymers have different properties. This means that different polymers have different uses.
Poly(ethene) is used to make polytunnels, sheltering crops from the weather
The table gives examples of polymers, their common names, and their typical properties and uses.
| Polymer | Properties | Uses |
| Poly(ethene) - ‘polythene’ | Flexible, cheap, can be made into thin films | Carrier bags, shampoo bottles, food wrap |
| Poly(propene) - ‘polypropylene' | Flexible, strong, resists shattering | Buckets, bowls, crates, ropes, carpets |
| Poly(chloroethene) - 'PVC’ | Tough, electrical insulator, can be made hard or flexible | Insulation for electrical wires, windows, gutters, pipes |
| Poly(tetrafluoroethene) - ‘PFTE’ | Slippery, chemically unreactive | Non-stick coatings for pans,containers for laboratory substances |
| Polymer | Poly(ethene) - ‘polythene’ |
|---|---|
| Properties | Flexible, cheap, can be made into thin films |
| Uses | Carrier bags, shampoo bottles, food wrap |
| Polymer | Poly(propene) - ‘polypropylene' |
|---|---|
| Properties | Flexible, strong, resists shattering |
| Uses | Buckets, bowls, crates, ropes, carpets |
| Polymer | Poly(chloroethene) - 'PVC’ |
|---|---|
| Properties | Tough, electrical insulator, can be made hard or flexible |
| Uses | Insulation for electrical wires, windows, gutters, pipes |
| Polymer | Poly(tetrafluoroethene) - ‘PFTE’ |
|---|---|
| Properties | Slippery, chemically unreactive |
| Uses | Non-stick coatings for pans,containers for laboratory substances |
