Sno-Camp PolymerChemistry
Advantages of Polymers
Ease of forming
Recyclable
Readily available raw material (crude oil)
Low cost (most is less than $2.00 per lbs.)
Polymers
Advantage
• Low (softening) “melt” temperature
Disadvantage
◦Low (softening) “melt” temperature
Most Consumer Plastics are Thermoplastics
Why you ask?:
•Form with heat
•Recyclable
•
•Low cost compared to othercontainers
•Transparent ( see the product)
Cost of 20oz Containers
PETE $0.06
Aluminum $0.07
Glass $0.10
Response to Heat
Thermoplastic
◦Softens or melts with heat
Thermoset
◦Sets with chemical reaction
Elastomer
◦Is elastic
Various Polymer Structures
Polyethylene
LDPE Sandwich Wrap
◦.92-.94 specific gravity
HDPE Milk Carton
◦.95-.97 specific gravity
Degree of crystalline content and branches
◦Heat HDPE jug with a heat gun
Low Density Polyethylene Density of .910-.925 g/cm3
Linear low-density Polyethylene Density .915-.925 g/cm3
High-Density Polyethylene Density greater than .941
Polyethylene
Polyethylene
Polypropylene
Polyvinyl Chloride
Polystyrene
Polycarbonate
ABS (Acrylonitrile, Butadine, Styrene)
Nylon 6 – 10
Polyester
PETE
Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Major types of polymers we see everyday
