POLYMERS

CHE3107: Polymer Synthesis

Course outline
Polymer chemistry: types of macromolecules,
functional groups. Polymerization processes:
condensation, ionic, radical. Global kinetics: rate of
polymerization. Polymerization techniques: emulsion,
suspension, solution; Transfer reactions, transfer
agents; Polymerization agents: catalysts; Physical
properties of polymers; Synthetic petroleum based
polymers: polythene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride.
CHE3107 Polymer Synthesis
Objectives: Students are expected to understand
how polymers are made, the different polymeric
processes and technics of polymerization, the reaction
mechanisms and different properties of polymers.

Outcomes: Students will recognize and appreciate
the different qualities and characteristics of polymers,
understand the different manufacturing processes
and what chemical arrangements give them these
properties
Classification of Polymers
 Linear polymer - Any polymer in which molecules are
in the form of spaghetti-like chains.
 Thermoplastics - Linear or branched polymers in
which chains of molecules are not interconnected to
one another.
 Thermosetting polymers - Polymers that are heavily
cross-linked to produce a strong three dimensional
network structure.
 Elastomers - These are polymers (thermoplastics or
lightly cross-linked thermosets) that have an elastic
deformation > 200%.
Comparison of the three polymer
categories
BEHAVIOUR GENERAL SRUCTURE EXAMPLE
Thermoplastic Flexible linear chains polyethylene
(straight or branched)
Thermosetting Rigid three dimensional polyurethanes
network (chains may be
linear or branched)
Elastomers Thermoplastics or Natural rubber
slightly cross-linked
thermosets, consists or
spring-like molecules
Example 1: Design/Materials
Selection for Polymer Components
Design the type of polymer material you might select for the
following applications: a surgeon’s glove, a beverage container
and a pulley.
SOLUTION
 The glove must be capable of stretching a great deal in order
to slip onto the surgeon’s hand. This requirement describes an
elastomer.
 A thermoplastic such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) will
have the necessary formability and ductility needed for this
application.
 A relatively strong, rigid, hard material is required to prevent
wear, so a thermosetting polymer might be most appropriate
 The Outline
 Reactions of polymers
Addition Polymerization
Step Growth Polymerization

 Kinetic Of Polymerization

 Polymerization Processes
Bulk Polymerization
Solvent Polymerization
Suspention Polymerization
Emulsion Polymerization
Special Processes
 The Outline

 Chemical and Physical Structures of Polymers

 Polymer’s molecular structures

Confriguration and conformation of polymers
Chain structures of polymers

 Physical Structures of Polymers

Polymer crystallinity
Crystallinity and amorphousness of polymers
 Outline

 Types of Polymers and Polymer Processing

 Members of Polymers

Definition of Thermosets & Thermoplastics

Common products and their properties

 Forming Techniques of Polymers

Extrusion of polymers
Injection Molding
Blow Molding
Thermoforming
Compression Molding
Casting
 The Outline
 Recycling of Polymers

Definiton of Recycling
Why is recycling important?
Benefits
Recycling of polymers
Addition Polymerization (Chain Growth)
Step Growth Polymerization (Condensation)
Differences between step-growth polymerization and
chain-growth polymerization
Step-growth polymerization Chain-growth polymerization
Growth throughout matrix Growth by addition of monomer only
at one end of chain
Rapid loss of monomer early in the Some monomer remains even at long
reaction reaction times
Same mechanism throughout Different mechanisms operate at
different stages of reaction (i.e.
Initiation, propagation and
termination)
Average molecular weight increases Molar mass of backbone chain
slowly at low conversion and high increases rapidly at early stage and
extents of reaction are required to remains approximately the same
obtain high chain length throughout the polymerization
Ends remain active (no termination) Chains not active after termination
No initiator necessary Initiator required
Addition Polymerization
 Addition polymerization - Process by which polymer
chains are built up by adding monomers together
without creating a byproduct.
 Unsaturated bond - The double- or even triple-
covalent bond joining two atoms together in an
organic molecule.
 Functionality - The number of sites on a monomer
at which polymerization can occur.
The addition reaction for producing polyethylene from ethylene
molecules. The unsaturated double bond in the monomer is
broken to produce active sites, which then attract additional
repeat units to either end to produce a chain.
Calculation of Initiator
Required
 Calculate the amount of benzoyl peroxide initiator required to produce 1
kg of polyethylene with an average molecular weight of 200,000 g/mol.
What is the degree of polymerization? Assume that 20% of the initiator is
actually effective and that all termination occurs by the combination
mechanism.
 Example 2 SOLUTION
 The molecular weight of ethylene = (2 C)(12) + (4 H)(1) = 28 g/mol.
Therefore, the degree of polymerization is:
200,000 g/mol  7143 ethylene molecules per average chain
28 g/mol
(1000 g polyethylene)(6.021023 monomers/mol)  2151023 monomers
28 g/mol
SOLUTION (Continued)

The combination mechanism requires the number of

benzoyl peroxide molecules to be:
23
215  10 ethylene molecules 23
 0.03  10
7143 ethylene / chain
Step of Radical Chain Polymerization

Initiation

Propagation

Termination
INITIATION
PROPAGATION
 TERMINATION
Dead Polymer
i.) Coupling or Combination;

ii.) Disproportionation
CHAIN TRANSFER REACTIONS
Transfer to monomer reaction

Transfer to initiator reaction

Transfer to solvent reaction

 IONIC CHAIN POLYMERIZATION
Using catalyst, not initiator

Highest reaction rate

Termination step is just disproportionation

Environment must be pure

Reaction occurs in the cold

Anionic Polymerization=Living Polymerization

If the starting reagents are pure and the

polimerization reactor is purged of all oxygen and

traces of water, polimerization can proceed until

all monomer is consumed.

CONDENSATION POLYMERIZATION
Using catalyst

Minumum two functional groups required

Usually linear

Molecular weight increases slowly at low conversion

High extents of reaction are required to obtain high

chain length
Condensation Polymerization
 Condensation polymerization - A polymerization mechanism in
which a small molecule (e.g., water, methanol, etc.) is condensed
out as a byproduct.
The condensation reaction for polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), a common polyester.
The OCH3 group and a hydrogen atom are removed
from the monomers, permitting the two monomers to
join and producing methyl alcohol as a byproduct
Example: Condensation
Polymerization of 6,6-Nylon
Nylon was first reported by Wallace Hume Carothers of du
Pont in about 1934. In 1939, du Pont’s Charles Stine
reported the discovery of this first synthetic fiber to a
group of 3000 women gathered for the New York World’s
Fair. The first application was nylon stockings that were
strong. Today nylon is used in hundreds of applications.
Prior to nylon, Carothers had discovered neoprene (an
elastomer).
 The linear polymer 6,6-nylon is to be produced by
combining 1000 g of hexamethylene diamine with adipic
acid. A condensation reaction then produces the polymer.
Show how this reaction occurs and determine the
SOLUTION
The molecular structures of the monomers are shown
below.
The linear nylon chain is produced when a hydrogen
atom from the hexamethylene diamine combines with
an OH group from adipic acid to form a water
molecule
SOLUTION (Continued)
SOLUTION (Continued)
Molecular weight of hexamethylene diamine is 116
g/mol, of adipic acid is 146 g/mol, and of water is 18
g/mol.
The number of moles of hexamethylene diamine
added (calculated below) is equal to the number of
moles of adipic acid:

1000g  8.621 moles  xg

116 g / mol 146 g / mol
SOLUTION (Continued)
x = 1259 g of adipic acid required

The number of moles of water lost is also 8.621:

y = (8.621 moles) (18 g/mol) = 155.2 g H2O

Total amount of nylon produced is

1000 g + 1259 g – 2(155.2 g) = 1948.6 g.
Degree of Polymerization
 Degree of polymerization - The average molecular weight of the
polymer divided by the molecular weight of the monomer.
 Example 4 : Degree of Polymerization for 6,6-Nylon

 Calculate the degree of polymerization if 6,6-nylon has a molecular

weight of 120,000 g/mol.

 Example 4 SOLUTION

 The molecular weights are 116 g/mol for hexamethylene diamine, 146
g/mol for adipic acid, and 18 g/mol for water. The repeat unit for
6,6-nylon is:
SOLUTION 4(Continued)
SOLUTION 4(Continued)
The molecular weight of the repeat unit is the sum of the
molecular weights of the monomers, minus that of the two
water molecules that are evolved:

M = 116 + 146 – 2(18) = 226 g/mol

repeat unit

Degree of polymerization = 120,000/226 = 531

The degree of polymerization refers to the total number of

repeat units in the chain.
The chain contains 531 hexamethylene diamine and 531
adipic acid molecules
 Example 5 Number and Weight Average
Molecular Weights
We have a polyethylene sample containing 4000 chains with
molecular weights between 0 and 5000 g/mol, 8000 chains
with molecular weights between 5000 and 10,000 g/mol, 7000
chains with molecular weights between 10,000 and 15,000
g/mol, and 2000 chains with molecular weights between
15,000 and 20,000 g/mol. Determine both the number and
weight average molecular weights.

Example 5 SOLUTION
First we need to determine the number fraction xi and weight
fraction fi for each of the four ranges. We can then find the
molecular weights.
SOLUTION 5(Continued)
KINETICS OF POLYMERIZATION
Reaction rate of ionic polimerization more than

radicalic polimerization
So kinetics of ionic polimerization are not calculated

But kinetics of radicalic polimerization can be

analysed
 Kinetic of Radicalic Polymerization
Initiation;

Propagation;

Termination;
Kinetic of Radicalic Polymerization
Ro = overall rate of
polimerization
Rp = rate of chain
propagation
Ri = rate of initiation
step
Rt = rate of termination
step
Kinetic of Condensation
Polymerization
Equivalent reactivity

of functional groups.
It may be first, second

or third order by
depending upon.
 Kinetic of Condensation
Polymerization

 Assumption = a stoichiometry balance of monomer concentration

POLYMERIZATION PROCESSES
Bulk Polymerization

Solvent Polymerization

Suspention Polymerization

Emulsion Polymerization

Special Processes

 Electrochemical Polymerization
 Radiation Polymerization
 Grow-discharge (Plasma)
 Bulk Polymerization
The simplest technique

It gives the highest-purity polymer

 Ingredients : monomer,

monomer-soluble initiator,

perhaps a chain transfer agent

Advantages Disadvantages
High yield per reactor volume Difficult of removing the lost
traces of monomer
Easy polymer recovery Dissipating heat produced during
the polimerization
Final product form
 Solution Polymerization
 Heat can be removed by conducting the polymerization in an organic solvent or water

 Initiator or monomer must be soluble in solvent

 Solvents have acceptable chain-transfer characteristics

 Solvents have suitable melting or boiling points for the conditions of polymerization

 Ingredients : monomer

initiator

solvent

Advantages Disadvantages
Temperature control is easy Small yield per reactor volume
Easy removed Solvent recovery
 Suspention Polymerization
 Coalescense of sticky droplets is prevented by PVA

 Near the end of polymerization, the particles harder and they can be

removed by filtration, then washing

 Ingredients : water-insoluble monomer,

water-insoluble initiator,
sometimes chain transfer agent
suspention medium (water-usually)

Advantages (according to bulk Disadvantages

polymerization)
Forming process not using Polymer purity is low

Stirring is easy Reactor capital costs are higher

than for solution polymerization

Separation process is easy

 Emulsion Polymerization
Particles are formed monosize with emulsion polymerization

Polymerization is initiated when the water-soluble radical

enters a monomer-containing micelles.

 Ingredients : water-insoluble monomer,

water-soluble initiator,
chain transfer agent,
dispersing medium (water),
fatty acid,
surfactant such as sodium salt of a long chain
Molecular structure of polymers

Typical structures are :

 linear (end-to-end, flexible, like PVC, nylon)
 branched
 cross-linked (due to radiation, vulcanization)
 network (similar to highly cross-linked structures,termosetting
polymers)

Figure1. Schematic representation of (a) linear, (b and c) branched, and (d and e) cross-linked polymers.

The branch points and junction points are indicated by heavy dots (Plastic Technology Handbook-Manas Chanda Salil K. Roy)
 Molecular configuration of polymers
 Side groups atoms or molecules with free bonds, called free-radicals, like H, O,
methyl affects polymer properties.

Stereoregularity describes the configuration of polymer chains :

 Isotactic is an arrangement where all substituents are on the same side of the
polymer chain.
 Syndiotactic polymer chain is composed of alternating groups
 Atactic the radical groups are positioned at random

Figure 2: Isotactic Syndiotactic and Atactic combinations of a stereoisomers of polymer chain

(http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/imgsep07/atactic.png)
 Molecular configuration of polymers

FIGURE.3. Diagrams of (a) isotactic, (b) syndiotactic, and (c) atactic configuration in a vinyl polymer.
The corresponding Fischer projections are shown on the right.
(Plastic Technolgoy Handbook)
Table 1. Properties of Polypropylene Stereoisomers
(Plastic Technology Handbook)
Molecular configuration of polymers
Geometrical isomerism:

 The two types of polymer configurations are cis and trans. These structures
can not be changed by physical means (e.g. rotation).

 The cis configuration  substituent groups are on the same side of a carbon-
carbon double bond.
 Trans  the substituents on opposite sides of the double bond.

Figure4.cis trans configurations of polyisoprene

( http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/file.php/2937/T838_1_019i.jpg )
 Conformations of a Polymer Molecule

 Conformation The two atoms have other atoms or groups attached

to them configurations which vary in torsional angle are known as
conformations (torsional angle:The rotation about a single bond which
joins two atoms )

 Polymer molecule can take on many conformations.

 Different conformation different potential energies of the

moleculeSome conformations: Anti (Trans), Eclipsed (Cis), and Gauche (+
or -)
 Other Chain Structures

 Copolymers polymers that incorporate more than one kind of

monomer into their chain (nylon)

 Three important types of copolymers:

 Random copolymer contains a random arrangement of the multiple
monomers.
 Block copolymer contains blocks of monomers of the same type
 Graft copolymer contains a main chain polymer consisting of one type

of monomer with branches made up of other monomers.

 Figure 5 :Block Copolymer Graft Copolymer Random Copolymer

http://plc.cwru.edu/tutorial/enhanced/FILES/Polymers/struct/struct.htm
 Physical Characteristics of Polymers
 The melting or softening temperature ↑ molecular weight ↑

 The molecular shape of the polymer has influence on the elastic

properties. ↑ coils the ↑ elasticity of the polymer

 The structure of the molecular chains has an effect on the strength

and thermal stability. ↑ crosslink and network structure within the
molecule ↑ the strength and thermal stability.
 Polymer Crystallinity

 Crystallinity is indication of amount of crystalline region in polymer

with respect to amorphous content

 X-ray scattering and electron microscopy have shown that the

crystallites are made up of lamellae which,in turn, are built-up of
folded polymer chains
 Polymer crystallinity

 Crystallinity occurs when linear polymer chains are structurally

oriented in a uniform three dimensional matrix. Three factors that
influence the degree of crystallinity are:

 i) Chain length
ii) Chain branching
iii) Interchain bonding

Figure 7: Crystalline chain

http://plc.cwru.edu/tutorial/enhanced/FILES/Polymers/orient/Orient.htm
 Polymer cristallinity
Crystallinity influences:
Hardness,modulus tensile, stiffness, crease, melting point of polymers.
 Most crystalline polymers are not entirely crystalline. The chains, or
parts of chains, that aren't in the crystals have no order to the
arrangement of their chains
 Crystallinity makes a polymers strong, but also lowers their impact
resistance
 Crystalline polymers are denser than amorphous polymers, so the
degree of crystallinity can be obtained from the measurement of
density  Wc=Φcρc/ ρ
ρ  density of entire sample
ρc  density of the crystalline fraction.
Φc volume fraction
Wc mass fraction
 Determinants of Polymer Crystallinity

 The degree of crystallinity of a polymer depends on the rate of cooling

during solidification as well as on the chain configuration.

 In most polymers, the combination of crystalline and amorphous

structures forms a material with advantageous properties of strength
and stiffness.

Figure 8: Mixed amorphous crystalline macromolecular polymer structure

(http://web.utk.edu/~mse/Textiles/Polymer%20Crystallinity.htm)
 Polymer cristallinity
 Polymer molecules are very large so it might seem that they could not
pack together regularly and form a crystal. Regular polymers may form
lamellar crystals with parallel chains that are perpendicular to the face
of the crystals.

 A crystalline polymer consists of the crystalline portion and the

amorphous portion. The crystalline portion is in the lamellae, and the
amorphous portion is outside the lamellae .

Figure 9. Arrangement of crystalline and amorphous portions

http://pslc.ws/mactest/crystal.htm#structure
 Cristillanity and amorphousness
 An amorphous solid is formed when the chains have little orientation
throughout the bulk polymer. The glass transition temperature is the point
at which the polymer hardens into an amorphous solid.
 In between the crystalline lamellae,regions with no order to the
arrangement of the polymer chains  amorphous regions
 Polyethylene can be crystalline or amorphous. Linear polyethylene is
nearly 100% crystalline. But the branched polyethylene is highly
amorphous.

Figure 10.Linear and Branched Polyethylene

(http://pslc.ws/macrog/kidsmac/images/pe03.gif )
Examples...
 Highly crystalline polymers:
Polypropylene, Nylon, Syndiotactic polystyrene..
 Highly amorphous polymers:
Polycarbonate, polyisoprene, polybutadiene
 Polymer structure and intermolecular forces has a major role of a
polymer’s crystallinity.
Classification of Polymers
…with regard to their thermal processing behavior ;

Thermoplastic Polymers (Thermoplastics)

soften when heated and harden when cooled

Thermosetting Polymers (Thermosets)

once having formed won’t soften upon heating
Thermoplastics
have linear or branched structure
chains are flexible and can slide past each other
have strong covalent bonds and weak intermolecular van
der Waals bonds

elastic and flexible above glass transition temperature

can be heat softened, remolded into different forms

reversible physical changes without a change in the

chemical structure
Thermosets
chains chemically linked by covalent bonds
hardening involves a chemical reaction which
connects the linear molecules together to form a
single macromolecule.
Thermosets
once polymerization is complete, cannot be softened, melted
or molded non-destructively.

have higher thermal, chemical and creep resistance than

thermoplastics

Thermosets suitable materials for

Composites
Coatings
Adhesive applications
Common thermoplastics
Commodity Polymers
POLYETHYLENES
POLYPROPYLENE
POLYSTYRENE
POLYVINYLCHLORIDE-PVC
POLYMETHYLMETHACRYLATE-PMMA
Engineering Polymers(have a thermal resistance 100-150°C)
POLYCARBONATE
NYLON(POLYAMIDE)
POLYETHYLEN TEREPHATALATE-PET
High Performance Polymers (have a thermal resistance >150°C)
POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE-teflon
POLYARYLETHERKETONES-PEEK
POLYETHYLENE
prepared directly from the polymerization of ethylene (C2H4).

two main types are; low-density (LDPE) and high-density

polyethylene (HDPE)

Advantages
cheap
good chemical resistance
high impact strength
Limitations
low heat resistance (upper temperature limit is 60°)
degrade under UV irradiation.
high gas permeability, particularly CO2

Applications
extensively for piping and packaging
chemically resistant fittings, garbage bags
containers, cable covering
POLYPROPLYLENE
improved mechanical properties compared to polyethylene;
has a low density (900–915 kg/m3), harder, and has a higher
strength
Good chemical and fatigue resistance

Disadvantages
Oxidative degradation, high thermal expansion, high creep
poor UV resistance
Applications
medical components, films for packaging (e.g. cigarette
packets)reusable containers, laboratory equipment
POLYSTYRENE
a light amorphous thermoplastic
Advantages
low cost, easy to mould, rigid, transparent
no taste, odor, or toxicity, good electrical insulation
Disadvantages
sensitive to UV irradiation (e.g. sunlight exposure)
chemical resistance is poor, brittle
Applications
CD-DVD cases, electronic housings, food packaging, foam
drink cups and egg boxes
was the first thermoplastic used in industrial applications

very resistant to strong mineral acid and bases, good electrical

insulators, flame-retardant

Two grades of the PVC material are available:

rigid PVC is used in the construction industry for piping
cold water and chemicals
flexible PVC is used in wire and cable coating, paints, signs
Common thermosets

EPOXIES
UNSATURATED POLYESTERS
PHENOL FORMALDEHYDE (PHENOLIC)
POLYURETHANES
EPOXIES
Advantage
mechanically strong, highly adhesive
good chemical and heat resistance
electrical insulators
Disadvantage
expensive
Applications
as industrial adhesives, coatings or as matrices in advanced
reinforced plastics and also as encapsulation media
UNSATURATED POLYSTERS
Advantage
hard, high strength
cheap compared to Epoxy
good electrical insulator
high heat resistance
Disadvantage
poor solvent resistance compared to other thermosets
Applications
molding or casting materials for a variety of electrical
applications, matrix for composites such as fiberglass
boats, fences, helmets, auto body components
PHENOLICS
most commonly used thermosets

high hardness, excellent thermal stability; low

tendency to creep

Applications
wiring devices, bottle caps, automotive parts, plugs
and switches, as adhesives coatings and molded
components for electrical applications
POLYURETHANES
depending on the degree of cross-linking they behave as
thermosets or thermoplastics

low cost, high impact strength, high adhesion properties

be processed into coatings, adhesives, binders, fibers and

foams
Methods of polymer fabrication

 Extrusion of polymers
 Injection Molding
 Blow Molding
 Thermoforming
 Compression Molding
 Casting
Extrusion of polymers
method used mainly for thermoplastics

is a continuous process as long as raw pellets are supplied

is a process of manufacturing mostly long products of

constant cross-section;
i.e.. rods, sheets, pipes, films, wire insulation coating
… extrusion

pelletized material is successively compacted, melted and

formed into a continuous charge of viscous fluid
temperature of the material is controlled by
thermocouples

forcing soften polymer through a die with an opening

the product going out of the die is cooled by blown air or in

water bath
extruder
Injection Molding
most widely used technique for thermoplastics
highly productive method, profitable in mass production of
large number of identical parts

polymer in form of pellets is fed into machine and is pushed

forward into a heating chamber then the molten plastic is
forced through a nozzle into the enclosed mold cavity
pressure is maintained until solidification and then the mold
opens and the part is removed
Blow Molding
is a process in which a heated hollow thermoplastic tube
(parison) is inflated into a closed mold
disposable containers, recyclable bottles, automotive fuel
tanks, tubs are produced
involves manufacture of parison by extrusion, injection or
stretching
parison in a semi molten state is placed in a two piece mold
having the desired shape

parison is inflated by air blown, taking a shape conforming

that of the mold cavity

parison is then cut on the top, mold cools down, its halves
open, and the final part is removed
Thermoforming
is a process of shaping flat thermoplastic sheet
softening the sheet by heat, followed by forming it in the mold
cavity
Thermosets can not be formed by the thermoforming because
of their cross linked structure
widely used in the food packaging industry; manufacturing of
ice cream and margarine tubs, meat trays, microwave
containers, sandwich packs etc.
Thermoforming methods
three thermoforming methods, differing in the forming stage:

1. Vacuum Thermoforming; shaping a preheated thermoplastic

sheet by means of vacuum produced in the mold cavity

2. Pressure Thermoforming;... by means of air pressure.

3. Mechanical Thermoforming;... by direct mechanical force

Thermoforming by vacuum and mechanical force
Compression Molding
used mostly for molding thermoset resins

pre-weighed amount of a polymer mixed with additives is

placed into the lower half of the mold
polymer is preheated prior to placement into heated mold
cavity ,half of the mold moves down, pressing on the polymer
charge and forcing it to fill the mold cavity

suitable for molding large flat or moderately curved parts; side

panels for automotive, electric housings etc.
Casting
both thermosets and thermoplastics may be cast.

molten polymer is poured into a mold and allowed to solidify

for thermoplastics solidification occurs upon cooling

while thermoset’s hardening is a consequence of
polymerization reaction
REFERENCES
 François Carderelli, Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop
Reference,2nded.,Springer
 Donald Hudgin, Plastics Technology Handbook, 4th ed., Taylor & Francis
Group
 J. A.Brydson, Plastics Materials, 7thed., Heinemann
 William D. Callister ,Materials Science and Engineering,7th ed., Wiley
 http://www.substech.com
 http://www.azom.com
 http://en.wikipedia.org
 Recycling:
A Sector of Solid
Waste Management

http://environment.utk.edu/policy.html
What is Recycling?

Recycling refers to the process of collecting used materials

which is usually considered as ‘waste’ and reprocessing
them. Recycling varies from ‘re-use’ in the sense that while
re-use just means using old products repeatedly, recycling
means using the core elements of an old product as raw
material to manufacture new goods.
Why Recycling is Important?
 Recycling Saves Energy

 Recycling Saves Environmental Conditions and Reduces

Pollution

Recycling Saves Natural Resources

Economic Benefits

Recycling Saves Space for Waste Disposal

Benefits

• Conserves Resources
• Prevents emissions of greenhouse gasses &
water pollutants
• Supplies valuable raw materials to industry
• Saves tax-payer dollars
• Creates jobs
• Stimulates development of greener technologies
• Reduces the need for new landfills and
incinerators
Recycling of polymers
Recycling of Polymers

Chemical recycling
Mechanical recycling Energy recycling

Chemolysis
Thermolysis
Glycolysis
Pyrolysis
Methanolysis
Hydrogenation
Hydrolysis
 Why do we use mechanical, chemical and
energy recycling?
Hence mechanical recycling is realy best suited to clean plastic
waste,such as packaging material.
•Chemical recycling of waste plastics is important issue.

We have applied reaction in water or organic solvent in

sub- or supercritical condition to convert polymers into its
monomers.
Condensed polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate or
nylon 6 were depolymerized to its monomers by hydrolysis of
alcoholysis in supercritical water or alcohol.
Conclusive Facts
1 t = 20,000 plastic bottles

 25,000 t of bottles recycled in the UK in 2003 saved approximately

25 million kWh of energy

 25 recycled PET bottles can be used to make an adult’s fleece jacket

Recycling a single plastic bottle can conserve enough energy to light

a 60 W lightbulb for up to 6 h
SOME PHOTOS
We have done it!!!

Ref: http://www.container-recycling.org/ assets/ppt/1PlasticDebrisConference9.ppt

 Look at the changes you could
make with recycling...

http://environment.utk.edu/policy.html
 REFERENCES
 http://www.buzzle.com/articles/why-is-recycling-important.html

 http://www.chevroncars.com/learn/wondrous-world/recycling-process

 www.container-recycling.org/ assets/ppt/1PlasticDebrisConference9.ppt

 François Carderelli, Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop

Reference,2nded.,Springer

 Donald Hudgin, Plastics Technology Handbook, 4th ed., Taylor & Francis
Group
 REFERENCES

 J. A.Brydson, Plastics Materials, 7thed., Heinemann

 William D. Callister ,Materials Science and Engineering,7th ed., Wiley

 http://www.substech.com

 http://www.azom.com

 http://en.wikipedia.org
 REFERANCES
 Plastic Technology Handbook, 4th Edition, Authors: Manas Chanda,Salil K.
Roy

 http://pslc.ws/mactest/crystal.htm#structure

 http://plc.cwru.edu/tutorial/enhanced/FILES/Polymers/struct/struct.htm