Sno-Camp Polymer Chemistry

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 other containers •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 Low density polyethylene (trees with branches)

HDPE High density polyethylene (trees without branches)

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 every day