Polymers that are manmade are simply called synthetic polymers. These are molecular chains that consist of multiple repeating units and these are the polymers. The human body contains also naturally occurring polymers and these include the human DNA and the body's many proteins. There are four main groups of synthetic polymers that people can manufacture.
Synthetic fibers are one type of synthetic polymers and these have many interesting common properties. They generally resistant to chemicals, fungi and insects do not absorb moisture. They also typically cost much less to produce than a natural fiber, so this is why these fibers are used to replace fibers such as natural silk. A few common types of synthetic fibers include nylon, spandex and rayon.
Elastomers are another type of synthetic polymer and as the name suggests, these are polymers with a high amount of elasticity. Products made from elastomers are generally flexible such as shoe soles and tires. There are many different elastomers such as silicone rubber which often is used as a sealant.
Thermosetting plastics are also one of these types and these are the thermosets, another type of this synthetic polymer. This is a product that uses heat, and once set and dried, it is irreversible, and this is a type of synthetic polymer produced. The heating process is what will "cure" the product. These are products that are not recyclable although can also be shredded sometimes and used to make other products. Vulcanized rubber, those that are used to make tires are examples of these thermosetting plastics. Bakelite was one of the first highly popular thermoset plastics and these items, such as Bakelite jewelry, is highly collectable today.
Thermoplastics have also similarities, like the thermoset plastics, although with some important differences. Thermoplastics do not change in its chemical form when heated, and these can be melted and re-melted and reused. Most of these thermoplastics are not biodegradable products but these are also recyclable products.
Thermoplastics are used to make millions of thermoplastic packages each year. Custom product packaging is the task of many thermoforming companies. Everything from water bottles to milk jugs to food storage containers are made using thermoplastics. In addition to the many custom packages created by a thermoforming company, many other products are made using this category of plastic. PVC, nylon and acrylic are just a few different thermoplastics of which you may be familiar.
Synthetic fibers are one type of synthetic polymers and these have many interesting common properties. They generally resistant to chemicals, fungi and insects do not absorb moisture. They also typically cost much less to produce than a natural fiber, so this is why these fibers are used to replace fibers such as natural silk. A few common types of synthetic fibers include nylon, spandex and rayon.
Elastomers are another type of synthetic polymer and as the name suggests, these are polymers with a high amount of elasticity. Products made from elastomers are generally flexible such as shoe soles and tires. There are many different elastomers such as silicone rubber which often is used as a sealant.
Thermosetting plastics are also one of these types and these are the thermosets, another type of this synthetic polymer. This is a product that uses heat, and once set and dried, it is irreversible, and this is a type of synthetic polymer produced. The heating process is what will "cure" the product. These are products that are not recyclable although can also be shredded sometimes and used to make other products. Vulcanized rubber, those that are used to make tires are examples of these thermosetting plastics. Bakelite was one of the first highly popular thermoset plastics and these items, such as Bakelite jewelry, is highly collectable today.
Thermoplastics have also similarities, like the thermoset plastics, although with some important differences. Thermoplastics do not change in its chemical form when heated, and these can be melted and re-melted and reused. Most of these thermoplastics are not biodegradable products but these are also recyclable products.
Thermoplastics are used to make millions of thermoplastic packages each year. Custom product packaging is the task of many thermoforming companies. Everything from water bottles to milk jugs to food storage containers are made using thermoplastics. In addition to the many custom packages created by a thermoforming company, many other products are made using this category of plastic. PVC, nylon and acrylic are just a few different thermoplastics of which you may be familiar.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell enjoys writing about how stuff is made. For additional details about thermoformed packaging, or to find out more about custom thermoforming, please check out the Indepak.com website now.
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