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1.1.7 Describe the uses of the polymers made from the above monomers in terms of their properties.

Structure General Properties Uses Related Property

LDPE High degree ofbranching

Low crystalinity Amorphous Shorter chain

lengths

No substituents No cross-linking Soft

Impermeable towater

Non-polar Soft Flexible Low melting point Weak dispersion

forces

Non-conductor

Cling wrap Squeezable containers Sandwich bags Take-away boxes Plastic bags

Soft Flexible Impermeableto water

Electrical insulation ofwires and cables

Non-conductor Flexible

HDPE Lower degree ofbranching

Crystalline linearchains that can

pack closely Less amorphous Longer chain

lengths

No substituents No cross-linking Hard

Impermeable towater

Non-polar Rigid, harder,

stronger High melting point Stronger

dispersion forces

High chemicalresistance

Rubbish bins Buckets Childrens toys Tougher carry bags

Rigid Harder Stronger Impermeable

to water Kitchen utensils High melting

point

Impermeableto water

Chemical containers e.g.for solvents, acids, petrol

and pipes for natural gas

High chemicalresistance

Impermeableto water

PVC Polar Clsubstituent

ThermoplasticPure PVC:

Hard + rigid butbrittle

Decomposeswhen heated

Degrades insunlight as ClCl

bonds are broken

by UV light

Strong dipole-dipole forces

Impermeable towater

Enhanced PVC:

Non-volatileplasticiserse.g.

phthalates added

to disrupt

dispersion forces

and soften PVC

Stabilisers addedto absorb UV

Flame retardantchemicals lowersflammability

PVC with more plasticisers:

Upholstery coverings forcars and furnishings

Electrical insulation Garden hoses

Flexible Soft Impermeable

to water

PVC with less plasticisers:

Drainage pipes Credit cards Kitchen utensils Building materials:

external cladding

pipes

floor tiles

Rigid Stronger Impermeable

to water

Stabilisersallow for

outdoor use

(unreactive)

Bottles to hold oils Impervious tooils and organic

materials

Polar Impermeable

to water

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Polystyrene Bulky benzenesubstituent

Minimal chainbranching

Only C-C and C-Hbonds

Thermoplastic

Crystalline PS:

Very hard andrigid

Very stable toheat and UV light

Impermeable towater High refractive

index

Stable towardsmost chemicals

Expanded PS

(Styrofoam):

Gas blown intoliquid PS

Light weight(spongy; air) Thermal insulator Shock-absorber Low density

Crystalline PS:

CD cases Plastic drinking glasses Screw driver handles Audio cassettes Car battery cases Modern furniture

Very hard Very rigid High refractive

index (clear)

Styrofoam:

Disposable cups Ice boxes Fast food containers Packaging material

Good insulator Light weight Soft Low density Shock-absorber

Body boards Core of surfboards Low density Light weight

Systematic Common

Monomer Polymer Monomer Polymer

Ethene Polyethene Ethylene Polyethylene

Chloroethene Poly (1-chloroethene) Vinyl chloride Poly(vinyl chloride)

Ethenyl benzene orPhenylethene

Polyphenylethene Styrene Polystyrene

Functional group Description

Ester An organic molecule containing theCOOH

functional group.

Amine An organic molecule containing theNH2

functional group

Carboxylic acid An organic molecule containing theCOOH

functional group

Hydroxyl An organic molecule containing theOHfunctional group