List of synthetic polymers

List of human-made polymers

Some familiar household synthetic polymers include: Nylons in textiles and fabrics, Teflon in non-stick pans, Bakelite for electrical switches, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in pipes, etc. The common PET bottles are made of a synthetic polymer, polyethylene terephthalate. The plastic kits and covers are mostly made of synthetic polymers like polythene, and tires are manufactured from polybutadienes.^[1] However, due to the environmental issues created by these synthetic polymers which are mostly non-biodegradable and often synthesized from petroleum, alternatives like bioplastics are also being considered. They are however expensive when compared to the synthetic polymers.^[2]

IUPAC definition

Artificial polymer: Man-made polymer that is not a biopolymer.

Note 1: Artificial polymer should also be used in the case of chemically
modified biopolymers.

Note 2: Biochemists are now capable of synthesizing copies of biopolymers
that should be named Synthetic biopolymer to make a distinction
with true biopolymers.

Note 3: Genetic engineering is now capable of generating non-natural analogues
of biopolymers that should be referred to as artificial biopolymers, e.g.,
artificial protein, artificial polynucleotide, etc.^[3]

Inorganic polymers

• Polysiloxane
• Polyphosphazene
• Polyborazyline

Organic polymers

The eight most common types of synthetic organic polymers, which are commonly found in households are:

• Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
• High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• Polystyrene (PS)
• Nylon, nylon 6, nylon 6,6
• Teflon (Polytetrafluoroethylene)
• Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU)

Brand names

These polymers are often better known through their brand names, for instance:

Summary Chart

Plastic identification codes

See also

• Polymerization
• RAFT (chemistry)

References

1. Andrew J. Peacock; Allison R. Calhoun (30 June 2006). Polymer Chemistry: Properties and Applications. Hanser Verlag. pp. 1–. ISBN 978-1-56990-397-1. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
2. Srikanth Pilla (15 September 2011). Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications. John Wiley & Sons. p. 154. ISBN 978-1-118-17704-4. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
3. "Glossary of Basic Terms in Polymer Science". Pure and Applied Chemistry. 68 (12): 2287–2301. 1996. doi:10.1351/goldbook.A00250. ISBN 978-0-9678550-9-7.