Man-Made Polymers
What are man-made polymers?
A man-made polymer, or synthetic polymer, is an industrially produced chemical substance consisting of monomers linked together by covalent bonds. Most things humans use on a daily basis are synthetic polymers (Ex: money, super glue, plastics, etc.) The monomers of a synthetic polymer are usually obtained from petroleum after undergoing a refining and cracking process. Synthetic polymers are usually not very costly. However, synthetic polymers can cause pollution and aren't easily biodegradable. Common synthetic polymers consist of a carbon-carbon bonded backbone. Hetero chain polymers consist of other elements (oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, etc.) along the backbone. A polymer lacking carbon atoms is referred to as an inorganic polymer. Some synthetic polymers do not include covalent bonds at all. These polymers are called Coordination polymers. Coordination polymers usually include many metals in the backbone and include ionic bonds. Some more examples of synthetic polymers are: automobile parts, bottles, plastic bags, and velcro.
This is a diagram showing the different types of polymers. This includes the man-made as well as natural polymers.
This tire is made up of synthetic rubber, which is a synthetic polymer.
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Almost all the beverage bottles we use on a daily basis are made of synthetic polymers. Bottles are usually made out of a high-density polyethylene.
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PVC pipe is another example of a synthetic polymer. PVC piping is made from the synthetic polymer called polyvinylchloride.
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