Additions Polymers Flashcards
What are polymers made from
Lots of monomers
What are addition polymers made form
Why does this happen
Alkenes as the double bond opens up
Why are addition polymers unreactive
- they’re saturated
- main carbon chain is non-polar
What holds the chains together and why
Van der waals as the chains are non-polar
What makes the van der waals stronger in polymer chains
The chains being longer and packed closer together
What are properties of long chain polymers
Strong and rigid
What are properties of short branched chain polymers
Weak and flexible
What does adding plasticiser to polymers do
Makes them more flexible
Why does adding plasticiser make polymer chains more flexible
The plasticiser molecules get between polymer chains so push them apart
This means the intermolecular forces are weaker between chains
So they slide/ bend around more
What does PVC stand for
Poly (chloroethene)
What are properties of PVC without plasticiser and why
It’s hard and brittle at room temperature as chains are packed closely together
What are 2 uses for unplasticised PVC
Drains pipes and window frames
How does the properties of plasticised PVC compare to normal PVC
its more flexible
Give 3 uses of plasticised PVC
- clothing
- floor tiles
- electrical cable insulation
