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 polymer	Equation for polymerisation	Properties	Uses
Polyethylene (polythene)		Durable, light, impermeable, inert to chemicals, easily melted, insulator	Shopping bags, plastic cups and plates, toys
Polypropylene (polypropene)		Durable, light, impermeable, inert to chemicals, easily melted, insulator, can be moulded and coloured	Bottles, furniture, battery casing, pipes, toys
Polyvinyl chloride (polychloroethene)		Low softening temperature, durable, elastic, can be coloured	Pipes, pipe fittings, wire and cable casing, raincoats, footwear, bags
Polystyrene		Heat insulator, light, can be moulded, impermeable	Disposable cups and plates, packaging materials, toys, heat insulators.
Perspex		Transparent, strong, light	Replacement for glass, lenses and optical fibres
Teflon		Durable, non-stick, chemically inert, strong, impermeable	Coatings for non-stick pans, electrical insulators

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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.