Commercial polymer

Polyethylene/Polyethene
(PE)
[-CH2-CH2-]n
 There are two varieties of polyethylene –

1. Low density
2. High density
 (A) Low density polyethylene (LDPE)

PREPATION –
LDPE IS PRODUSED BY THE HIGH PRESSURE
(greater than 1000 atm ) POLYMERIZATION OF ETYLENE,
USING FREE RADICAL INITIATOR SUCH AS O2 ,
PEROXIDES, HYDROPEROXIDES AND AZO COMPOUNDS
IN THE TEMP RANGE 180 - 2500C

DURING THE PROPAGATION SOME CHAIN TRANSFER

REACTION OCCURS WHICH RESULT IN THE FORMATION
OF BRANCHED POLYETHYLENE.

n H2C=CH2  (-H2C - CH2-)n

PROPERTIES

 BECAUSE OF BRANCHED STRUCTURE THE

PACKING OF LDPE MOLECULES IS NOT COMPACT,
THEREFORE ITS DENCITY IS LOW.

 IT IS SOFT AND ELECTRICAL INSULATOR

 IT HAS HIGH TEAR STRENGTH,
EXTREME FLEXIBILITY,
CHEMICAL AND MOISTURE RESISTANCE
GOOD CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
LOW HEAT RESISTANCE (60-79°C/140-175°F)
VERY LOW CRYSTALLINITY
 APPLICATIONS
•Insulation on electric cables
•Squeeze bottles and containers

•For making films for packaging

carry bags, flexible pipes &
various utility article etc.
(B) High density polyethylene (HDPE)
PREPATION –

Polymerization of ethylene is done with the help of

(a) Zeigler–Natta catalyst (TiCl4+AlR3) at
4-10 atm pressure at 50-700C
(b) metal oxide such as chromium or
molybdenum oxide at 35 atm pressure at 60-1800C

In both the cases polymerization is carried out at relatively

low pressure which produces negligibly branched
polyethylene.
PROPERTIES
 Higher density (0.965 gm/cc)- Because
linear HDPE molecule can pack closer
 High crystallinity (about 90%)
 Higher melting point (144-1500C)
 Stiffer than LDPE
 Higher tensile strength & hardness
 Chemically more resistant
 Significantly lower permiability
APPLICATIONS
 In the manufacture of toys and other
household articals such as crates, tubs,
troughs, containers, water tanks,
medicine bottles, pipes, lining of
reactors, drums, sheets etc
 Packaging
 Wire and cable
 LDPE HDPE
1.Density Lower density (0.91 Higher density
-0.92 g/cc) (0.965 g/cc)
2. Crystallinity Lower crystallinity Higher crystallinity
(up to 40%)Lower ( (up to 90%)Higher
110-1250C) (144-1500C)
3. Melting temp
Lower Higher

4Tensilestrength
Lower Higher
& Hardness
Lower Higher
5.Chemical
Resistance
6. Reaction Obtained by using Obtained by using
conditions free radical catalyst, co-ordination
higher temp, higher catalyst, lower temp,
pressure lower pressure
 LDPE HDPE
 Polypropylenes (PP)
[ - CH2 – CH - ]n
l
CH3

 PREPARATION OF MONOMER (PROPYLENE) –

 By cracking of crude oil fraction ( obtained as a by product
from gasoline refineries)

 PREPARATION OF POLYMER-
 Zigler Natta catalyst is used

[ - CH2 – CH - ]n

CH3
Properties of PP

 Lightest polymer
 Good chemical resistance
 Less stable towards heat & light than that of
PE
 High hardness , stiffness & tensile strength
 Insoluble in many solvents at room temp but
soluble in aromatic & chlorinated
hydrocarbon above its melting point
APPLICATIONS
 Consumer/durable goods such as –
Pipes, Storage tanks, Seat covers,
Films, Sterlisable hospital
equipments,Parts of refrigerators,
Furniture, Hand bags, Carpets, Ropes
 Packaging
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

 PREPARATION OF MONOMER (vinyl chloride) –

 1) Addition of HCl gas on acetylene-

 Cracking ethylenedichloride in vapour phase

dehydrohalogenation (removal of HCl) takes place.

CH2Cl- CH2Cl
PREPARATION OF POLYMER-
 Suspension
 Emulsion system polymerization-
 Azo compounds are
 Redox initiators are used as initiator
used.  Polymerization is
 Polymerization could carried out at higher
be carried out at low temp.( 50-800c ) in a
temp.( 200c) which is pressure reactor or an
autoclave (because
advantageous. monomer is gas at this
temp.)
Polymerization reaction
Properties of PVC
 Does not have completely regular structure therefore
low crystallinity
 Molecules are either linear or slightly branched.
 Solubility- Insoluble in vinyl chloride,
alcohol water & hydrocarbon
Soluble in ketones chlorinated
hydrocarbons & mixture of acetone & CS2

 Polar structure due to C-Cl bond

therefore stronger force of attraction hence high density
 Excellent chemical resistance
 Low thermal stability
 Horn like structure & difficult to process
PVC without plasticizer is known as rigid PVC
PVC compounded with plasticizer is known as
plasticized PVC
 Rigid PVC is strong but brittle
 Softening temp of rigid PVC is1480C
Plasticized PVC soften at lower temp.
APPLICATIONS
 Rigid PVC is used in-
 Sheets for reactor lining
 Light fitting tubes
 Helmets
 Refrigerator components
 Hoods, trays , mudguards, aircraft parts
 Boats, gramophone records, bottles etc.
 Plasticized PVC is used in-
,
 Packings, raincoats, curtains,
 Table-cloth, hosiery goods,
 Irrigation pipes, cabinets for radio,
 Television & electronic equipments,
 Chemical containers, hand tools
 Adhesive tapes, films, wire insulation
 Footwear components, bags, glows
 Matrices, coveyer belts etc
Molecular Structure

Linear

Cross-linked

Branched

Network (3D)
Copolymers

 Two different monomers in the same chain

 The possible arrangements are called:

Random Alternating

Block

Graft
Thanks