Polymer uses
Different A large molecule formed from many identical smaller molecules known as monomers. have different The characteristics of something. In chemistry, chemical properties include the reactions a substance can take part in. Physical properties include colour and boiling point.. 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 |