Prepared by:NS Ahmed Kamal DE-33-MTS-B Reg.

number : 331

Assignment 1
Chemistry details of Polypropylene Acrylic polymers

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Submitted to:Sir Col.(r) Zahid Iqbal Submission Date:April 20,2012

Table of Contents Polypropylene 1.Introduction........................................1 2.History................................................2 3.Chemistry details................................3 4.Manufacturing....................................4 5.Advantages......................................... 6.Disadvantage 7.Conclusion 8.References Acrylic Polymers 9.Introduction 10. History 11. Advantages 12. Disadvantage 13. Conclusion 14. References

Polypropylene
Introduction of the topic:Polypropylene:Polypropylene (PP), also known as polypropylene, is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of applications including packing and labeling, textiles (e.g.,ropes, thermal underwear and carpets),stationary, plastic parts and reusable containers of various types, laboratory equipment,loudspeakers, automotive components, and polymer banknotes. An addition polymer made from the monomer propylene, it is rugged and unusually resistant to many chemical solvents, bases and acids.

History background:In 1925, research director George Oberfell convinced founder Frank Phillips to investigate additional uses for natural gas liquids. Two years later, Oberfell established one of the world's first hydrocarbon research laboratories, moving the company into new arenas in the production and marketing of fuels and of raw materials for the chemical industries. In 1935, he urged the company to acquire vast quantities of natural gas acreage and to pursue research on the separation of natural gas into its various components. So if Hogan and Banks's discovery was in fact serendipitous, it was not accidental: Phillips had set the stage for important innovations in the uses of natural gas. Propylene was first polymerized to a crystalline isotactic polymer by Giulio Natta as well as by the German chemist Karl Rehn in March 1954.This pioneering discovery led to large-scale commercial production of isotactic polypropylene by the Italian firm Montecatini from 1957 onwards.Syndiotactic polypropylene was also first synthesized by Italian Nobel Prize winner Giulio Natta and his coworkers.

Chemistry details:Polypropylene
Polypropylene is made by the polymerization of propylene (propene; CH3CH=CH2). Polymerization is the process by

which a single monomer unit (propylene in this case) is added to a second monomer of the same kind. The procedure is then repeated over and over again. Each time another monomer is added to the growing chain, the molecule gets larger and larger. Normally, polymerization is initiated by any of a number of agents, including radiation, light, or heat. Polymerization of propylene presents a somewhat different problem, however, because of the presence of methyl (-CH3) groups extending off the main chain of the molecule (-[CH(CH3)CH2-]-n). If polymerization is allowed to proceed on its own, some methyl groups will extend in one direction from the main chain, and others in a different direction. The product of this reaction is an amorphous product, one without crystalline shape, that has only a few very limited uses. To produce crystalline polypropylene, with all the desirable properties noted above, polymerization must be controlled to make sure that all methyl groups are on the same side of the main chain. One of Natta and Ziegler's great contributions was the discovery of catalysts capable of achieving the correct orientation of methyl groups. They found that metal halides, such as titanium chloride, could produce this effect.

Other Names: Propylene polymer; 1-propene homopolymer Formula: -[-CH(CH3)CH2-]-n Elements: Carbon, hydrogen Compound Type: Organic polymer State:

Solid Molecular Weight: Very large; 40,000 g/mol and up Melting Point: Varies: 165C-170C (330F-340F) Boiling Point: Not applicable Solubility: Insoluble in water and cold organic solvents; softens in warm organic solvents, but does not dissolve; soluble in hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons.

Manufacturing process of polypropylene

Melt processing of polypropylene can be achieved via extrusion and molding. The most common shaping technique is injection molding, which is used for parts such as cups, cutlery, vials, caps, containers, housewares, and automotive parts such as batteries. The related techniques of blow molding and injection-stretch blow molding are also used, which involve both extrusion and molding. The large number of end-use applications for polypropylene are often possible because of the ability to tailor grades with specific molecular properties and additives during its manufacture. For example, antistatic additives can be added to help polypropylene surfaces resist dust and dirt. Many physical finishing techniques can also be used on polypropylene, such as machining. Surface treatments can be applied to polypropylene parts in order to promote adhesion of printing ink and paints.

Advantages:Strong, but not heavy, and with a relatively high melting point for a plastic, polypropylene sees use in many commercial and specialized products. Polypropylene also has the benefits of being corrosionresistant, nontoxic and recyclable. The plastic appears in products ranging from bags to clothing and car doors.

Weight: Polypropylene is a lightweight material. Tensile strength: Its tensile strength is quite high. It shows strong resistance towards stress and cracking. Shape: Polypropylene is crystalline in nature and possesses a regular geometrical shape. Insulation: It acts as an excellent insulator. That means, polypropylene prevents flow of electricity through it. Moisture Absorption: Polypropylene does not get damaged by water exposure because its moisture absorption is very low.

Melting Point: Melting point of polypropylene is 160C. Therefore, unlike other polymers like polyethylene, it is capable of being operational at a very high temperature. Corrosion: This polymer remains unaffected when it comes in contact with chemicals such as alkaline substances, acids, de-greasing agents, electrolytic attacks, etc. However, its resistance towards aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents and ultraviolet radiation is not very strong. Since polypropylene is resistant to fatigue, most plastic living hinges, such as those on flip-top bottles, are made from this material. However, it is important to ensure that chain molecules are orientated across the hinge to maximise strength. Other Useful Properties: Basically, it is a non-toxic substance. It does not get stained very easily. It can be easily fabricated. It can retain its stiffness and flexibility intact even at very high temperatures.

Uses of Polypropylene
Plastic Bags Melted and rolled flat, polypropylene forms strong, lightweight, and inexpensive sheets called films that serve as the material of choice for plastic bags that must get wet and withstand corrosion and abrasion without breaking. Many plastic sandbags, resealable food storage bags and candy packages consist of polypropylene.

Other Plastic Products Employing a process called thermoforming, manufacturers can mold liquid polypropylene into everything from plastic chairs, luggage, screwon bottle caps, crates, boxes, appliance casings and toys. Using

another process called extrusion in which they force semisolid polypropylene through circular openings, manufacturers make polypropylene tubing that food and beverage produces use to transfer heated liquids at low pressure. Both thermoformed and extruded polypropylene products clean easily, resist scratching and do not melt at temperatures below 320 degrees Fahrenheit. Food Storage Under the standards of government requirements, polypropylene can be used for the storage, freezing and microwave reheating of food.

Polypropylene Rope Polypropylene rope, a durable rope made of monofilament or film polypropylene, possesses the strength for a multitude of tasks. Synthetic Fibers Long and short bundled strands of polypropylene appear as carpets, clothing and acoustic insulation fibers. The brand-name composite insulting material Thinsulate contains a layer of polypropylene material.

Medical Devices Many of the properties of polypropylene that make it a leading choice for plastic packaging also make it a valuable material for medical devices. Surgeons use sterile polypropylene mesh when repairing hernias, damage to the internal walls of the uterus and weakened urethras. Sutures, or stitches, also often consist of polypropylene fibers.

Automobiles

Thermoformed polypropylene has recently become a material of choice for inside door panels on cars. Automakers also install polypropylene tubes in areas where they require tough, heat-resisting and semiflexible hoses.

Disadvantages:Polypropylene
No human health hazards have been identified for polypropylene in the form in which most people come into contact with the compound. One of the main drawbacks to polypropylene is the product has a resistance to the addition of paint or ink once the cooling process has completed. This can make the raw material more difficult to work with, especially in applications where the polypropylene is being used to create household products. When it comes to the use of polypropylene in carpeting and upholstery, textile manufacturers have to be constantly aware of the temperature of the machinery while the fiber is going through the process. If the fiber becomes too hot, there is a tendency to break and jam on the rollers of many types of textile machinery. Disadvantage would probably be its lower melting point and flammability. Elevated temperatures will make any crystalline more isotropic.

Conclusion:Advancement in technology has produced many useful products. Through research of many years many useful materials have been produced such as Acrylic polymers and Polypropylene. New materials have qualities of both the materials that are replaces by them and much more better properties. These materials have properties of being durable and easy to produce mold. They

enjoy long life as they have long fatigue life. These materials can be colored brightly. They fit easily in our environment.

References:http://www.madehow.com http://www.bookrags.com http://www.wisegeek.com http://www.ehow.com http://www.wikipedia.com http://www.encyclopedia.com http://wiki.answers.com http://www.answers.yahoo.com http://www.enotes.com http://portal.acs.org

Acrylic Polymers
Introduction of the topic:Acrylic polymers:Acrylic plastic is a transparent material with a high tolerance to ultraviolet radiation and weathering. The material can be colored, molded, and cut. The plastic acrylic weighs less than glass and is impact resistant. Acrylic plastics have multiple uses and are found in a number of products.

History background:Acrylic acid was first prepared in 1843. Methacrylic acid, which is a derivative of acrylic acid, was formulated in 1865. When methacrylic acid is reacted with methyl alcohol, it results in an ester known as methyl methacrylate. The polymerization process to turn methyl methacrylate into polymethyl methacrylate was discovered by the German chemists Fittig and Paul in 1877,In 1935, Rohm & Haas marketed another acrylic, polymethyl methacrylate (which had been discovered 60 years earlier), as Plexiglass. Plexiglass proved transparent, strong, and tough enough to be used in the cockpits of military aircraft, but it wasn't until 1936 that the process was used to produce sheets of acrylic safety glass commercially. During World War II, acrylic glass was used for periscope ports on submarines and for windshields, canopies, and gun turrets on airplanes. In 1940, Plexiglass was employed in the bomber noses of war planes, and three years later acrylic aircraft canopies were being produced. By 1946, acrylics had been introduced for dentures and for automobile tailight lenses. In 1974, acrylic sheets stiffened with reinforced plastic were used for the first time in all exterior body panels of an automobile.

Chemistry details:Acrylic polymers

Methyl methacrylate is the basic molecule, or monomer, from which polymethyl methacrylate and many other acrylic plastic polymers are formed. The chemical notation for this material is CH2=C(CH3)

Figure shows the polymerization of methyl methocrylate into polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Figure 2 shows other acrylic plastic monomers that may be copolymerized with methyl methacrylate. COOCH3. It is written in this format, rather than the more common chemical notation C5H8O2, to show the double bond (=) between the two carbon atoms in the middle. During polymerization, one leg of this double bond breaks and links up with the middle carbon atom of another methyl methacrylate molecule to start a chain. This process repeats itself until the final polymer is formed. (See Figure) Methyl methacrylate may be formed in several ways. One common way is to react acetone [CH3COCH3] with sodium cyanide [NaCN] to

produce acetone cyanhydrin [(CH3)2C(OH)CN]. This in turn is reacted with methyl alcohol [CH3OH] to produce methyl methacrylate. Other similar monomers such as methyl acrylate [CH2=CHCOOCH,] and acrylonitrile [CH2=CHCN] can be joined with methyl methacrylate to form different acrylic plastics. (See Figure) When two or more monomers are joined together, the result is known as a copolymer. Just as with methyl methacrylate, both of these monomers have a double bond on the middle carbon atoms that splits during polymerization to link with the carbon atoms of other molecules. Controlling the proportion of these other monomers produces changes in elasticity and other properties in the resulting plastic.

Polymethyl methacrylate, an acrylate polymer familiar to consumers is the clear break resistant glass or sheeting sold in hardware stores as acrylic glass or under the trade name Plexiglas.

Polymethyl Methacrylate PMMA Other name: Acrylic Formula: -[-CH2C(CH3)(COOH)CH2-]-n Elements: Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen

Compound Type: Organic polymer State: Solid Molecular Weight: Varies: 250,000 to over 1,000,000 g/mol Melting Point: Varies: usually above 100C (200F) Boiling Point: Not applicable Solubility: Insoluble in water; best solvents are mixtures of two or more organic solvents, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, and tetrahydrofuran. Polyacrylate emulsion, water-born coating, are used as binder for outdoor and indoor "latex" house paints Acrylic fiber

Sodium polyacrylate water soluble thickeners, a polymer for the

production of the Super absorbent polymer (SAP) used in disposable diapers due to its high absorbency per unit mass

"Super glue" is a formulation of cyanoacrylate.

PVAc copolymer emulsion adhesive of vinyl acetate (VAM) and acrylic acid (VAA) Polyacrylamide copolymer used as floculation agent in water treatment

The Manufacturing Process of Acrylic polymers

Acrylic plastic polymers are formed by reacting a monomer, such as methyl methacrylate, with a catalyst. A typical catalyst would be an organic peroxide. The catalyst starts the reaction and enters into it to keep it going, but does not become part of the resulting polymer.

Acrylic plastics are available in three forms: flat sheets, elongated shapes (rods and tubes), and molding powder. Molding powders are sometimes made by a process known as suspension polymerization in which the reaction takes place between tiny droplets of the monomer suspended in a solution of water and catalyst. This results in grains of polymer with tightly controlled molecular weight suitable for molding or extrusion. Acrylic plastic sheets are formed by a process known as bulk polymerization. In this process, the monomer and catalyst are poured into a mold where the reaction takes place. Two methods of bulk polymerization may be used: batch cell or continuous. Batch cell is the most common because it is simple and is easily adapted for making acrylic sheets in thicknesses from 0.06 to 6.0 inches (0.16-15 cm) and widths from 3 feet (0.9 m) up to several hundred feet. The batch cell method may also be used to form rods and tubes. The continuous method is quicker and involves less labor. It is used to make sheets of thinner thicknesses and smaller widths than those produced by the batch cell method. We will describe both the batch cell and continuous bulk polymerization processes typically used to produce transparent polymethyl methacrylic (PMMA) sheets.

Advantages :Acrylic Polymers

Uses of Acrylic polymers General uses
Sinks, Baths Door handles, Furniture, Signs , Sculptures

Windows and skylights, Lighting fixtures and lenses, Aquariums Technical models, Clock material

Badges, Fascia panels Motorcycle helmets visors , Police vehicles Artificial fingernails , Ink , Electric guitars

Use of Acrylic Resin

One of the main characteristic features of acrylic resin is its high transparency. With its high weather resistance, it has been known to last over 30 years, it does not easily turn yellow or crumble when exposed to sunlight. Acrylic resins are used not only for transparent windows in aquariums but also for various items such as signboards in places like convenience stores, taillights of automobiles, bathtub liners, sinks, cell

phone display screens, backlight optical waveguides for liquid crystal displays (LCD) and so on.

Acrylic Fibre
Acrylic is lightweight, soft, and warm, with a wool-like feel. It can also be made to mimic other fibers, such as cotton, when spun on short staple equipment. Some acrylic is extruded in colored or pigmented form; other is extruded in "ecru", otherwise known as "natural," "raw white," or "undyed." Pigmented fiber has highest light-fastness. Its fibers are very resilient compared to both other synthetics and natural fibers.

Disadvantage:Acrylic is not as strong as other synthetics, has poor resistance to matting, and is stained by oil and grease. One major disadvantage of Acrylic polymers is that the are scratch prone. Care must be taken while handling them and using hard objects on the surface of acrylic sheet.

Conclusion:Advancement in technology has produced many useful products. Through research of many years many useful materials have been produced such as Acrylic polymers and Polypropylene. New materials have qualities of both the materials that are replaces by them and much more better properties. These materials have properties of being durable and easy to produce mold. They

enjoy long life as they have long fatigue life. These materials can be colored brightly. They fit easily in our environment.