CHAPTER 7: SYNTHETIC MATERIALS IN INDUSTRY

1. Synthetic polymers are man-made polymers which are classified into

Polimer sintetik adalah polimer buatan manusia, dikelaskan kepada
a) Elastomers / synthetic rubbers (getah sintetik)
b) Thermoplastics (termoplastik)
c) thermosetting plastics (plastik termoset)
2. Two categories of polymerisation reaction:
Dua kategori tindakbalas pempolimeran:
a) addition polymerisation
- process when monomers are added to produce polymers without
producing any by-products
proses pempolimeran tanpa menghasilkan bahan sampingan
- examples: PVC
b) condensation polymerisation
- process when a small molecule of the by-product such as water is
produced
proses pempolimeran dengan penghasilan bahan sampingan seperti
air
- examples:nylon, polystyrene
3. Characteristics of synthetic rubber:
Ciri-ciri getah sintetik:
(i)
Elastic (kenyal)
(ii)
heat resistant (tahan haba)
(iii)
oil/ water/ chemical resistant (tahan terhadap minyak/ air/
bahan kimia)
(iv)
electrical insulator (penebat elektrik)
4. Synthetic rubber used to make engine parts (fan belts, gaskets) and hoses
Getah sintetik digunakan untuk membuat bahagian engin (tali kipas, tali sawat) dan
salur
5. Examples of synthetic rubber:
a) neoprene
b) styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)
c) Thiokol
d) Silicon rubber
6. Two types of plastics:
a) Thermoplastics
- plastics that melt when heated and can be remoulded / recycled
plastik yang lebur bila dipanaskan dan boleh diacu semula atau
dikitar semula
- its molecules do not have cross-linkages between their polymers
molekulnya tiada rangkai silang antara polimer
- When heated, their polymer chains glide easily
Bila dipanaskan, rantai polimernya mudah menggelongsor

b) thermosetting plastics
- plastics does not melt when heated and cannot be remoulded
plastik yang tidak lebur bila dipanaskan dan tidak boleh diacu semula
- its molecules have cross linkages between their polymers
molekulnya mempunyai rangkai silang antara polimernya
- Cross-links prevent polymer chains from gliding onto each other when
heated
Rangkai silang menghalang rantai polimer daripada menggelongsor
di atas satu sama lain
7. Examples of plastics and their usage:
TYPES OF PLASTIC
Thermoplastic

Thermosetting plastic

EXAMPLES OF PLASTICS
Polythene
Polypropylene
Polystyrene
Polyvinyl chloride/ PVC
Perspex
Bakelite
Melamine
Epoxy resin

USAGE
Plastic bag
Milk bottle
Food container
Identification card
Car windscreens
Electrical plugs
Dishes
Glue for metal