Polymers and Plastics

Teflon is a complete fluorinated polymer. Teflon is a tough synthetic resin made by polymerising tetrafluoroethylene, chiefly used to coat non-stick cooking utensils and to make seals and bearings.

Bakelite is a thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin, formed from an elimination reaction of phenol with formaldehyde.

Isoprene is a volatile liquid hydrocarbon obtained from petroleum, whose molecule forms the basic structural unit of natural and synthetic rubbers. Hence, Isoprene is the natural rubber.

Polypropylene is not used in heat resistant plastics, as it cannot withstand high temperatures.

Polypropylene is a chain growth polymer. Polypropylene is a synthetic resin which is a polymer of propylene, used chiefly for films, fibres, or molding materials.

Polymer obtained by condensation polymerization is phenol formaldehyde. Phenol formaldehyde resins are synthetic polymers obtained by the reaction of phenol or substituted phenol with formaldehyde. Phenolic resins are mainly used in the production of circuit boards.

The catalyst used in the manufacture of polythene by Ziegler method is triethylaluminium and titanium tetrachloride.

Epoxy resins are primarily used as adhesives (option D). Epoxy resins form strong bonds when cured and are widely used in construction, automotive, and marine applications as structural adhesives. They are not typically used as moth repellants, insecticides, or detergents.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is produced by polymerization of vinyl chloride monomer (chloroethene). The polymer consists of repeating -CH2-CHCl- units. This is an addition polymerization reaction.

Polythene (polyethylene) is produced by polymerization of ethylene (ethene) monomers. The polymer consists of long chains of -CH2-CH2- units formed by addition polymerization. This is one of the most widely used plastics globally.

Vulcanization is the chemical process where natural rubber is heated with sulphur to cross-link the polymer chains. This process significantly improves the rubber's properties including elasticity, strength, and temperature resistance. Charles Goodyear discovered this process in 1839.

Rubber latex is coagulated using acetic acid to separate the solid rubber from the liquid serum. The acid neutralizes the negative charges on rubber particles, causing them to clump together. Strong acids like hydrochloric or sulphuric acid would degrade the rubber quality.

Nylon is a polyamide because it contains amide bonds (-CO-NH-) linking the monomer units. Rayon is regenerated cellulose, Orion is a brand of acrylic, and Terylene is polyester (polyethylene terephthalate).

Dacron and glyptal are polyesters. Dacron is a copolymer of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. Glyptal is copolymer of ethylene glycol and phthalic acid.

Polyphenylene ether (PPE) is an amorphous standard thermoplastic polymer. Polyetherimide (PEI) is an amorphous thermoplastic with high mechanical strength and rigidity. Polyamidimides (PAI) are amorphous thermoplastic high performance polymers characterized by high thermal stability.