What is the most common type of plastic?

What is the most common type of plastic?

Plastics:

  1. Plastics are made from the products of cracking of petroleum fractions such as alkenes molecules through addition polymerisation.
  2. Plastics are the largest group of synthetic polymers with the following properties:
    • Can be easily moulded and coloured
    • Low density
    • Strong
    • Inert to chemicals
    • Insulator of heat and electricity
    • Impermeable
    • Non-biodegradable
  3. Table shows some examples of commonly used plastics, how they are formed, their properties and uses.
Name of polymerEquation for polymerisationPropertiesUses

Polyethylene
(polythene)

What is the most common type of plastic 1Durable, light, impermeable, inert to chemicals, easily melted, insulatorShopping bags, plastic cups and plates, toys
Polypropylene
(polypropene)
What is the most common type of plastic 2Durable, light, impermeable, inert to chemicals, easily melted, insulator, can be moulded and colouredBottles, furniture, battery casing, pipes, toys
Polyvinyl chloride (polychloroethene)What is the most common type of plastic 3Low softening temperature, durable, elastic, can be colouredPipes, pipe fittings, wire and cable casing, raincoats, footwear, bags
PolystyreneWhat is the most common type of plastic 4Heat insulator, light, can be moulded, impermeableDisposable cups and plates, packaging materials, toys, heat insulators.
PerspexWhat is the most common type of plastic 5Transparent, strong, lightReplacement for glass, lenses and optical fibres
TeflonWhat is the most common type of plastic 6Durable, non-stick, chemically inert, strong, impermeableCoatings for non-stick pans, electrical insulators

People also ask

Synthetic rubbers

  1. Synthetic rubbers are elastomers that are elastic and can regain their original length and shape after being stretched and pressed.
  2. The structure of synthetic rubbers is similar to that of natural rubber.
  3. Synthetic rubbers are produced by addition polymerisation.
  4. Neoprene and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) are examples of synthetic rubber.
  5. Neoprene is elastic and resistant to oil and is suitable to make rubber host and toys.
  6. Styrene-butadiene rubber, SBR rubber is very suitable for making car tires and shoes because it is elastic and hard.