What are polymers used for?

Answer 1

Polymers are substances whose molecules have high molar masses and are composed of a large number of repeating units. There are both naturally occurring and synthetic polymers. Among naturally occurring polymers are proteins, starches, cellulose, and latex. Synthetic polymers are produced commercially on a very large scale and have a wide range of properties and uses. The materials commonly called plastics are all synthetic polymers.



Polymers are formed by chemical reactions in which a large number of molecules called monomers are joined sequentially, forming a chain. In many polymers, only one monomer is used. In others, two or three different monomers may be combined. Polymers are classified by the characteristics of the reactions by which they are formed. If all atoms in the monomers are incorporated into the polymer, the polymer is called an addition polymer. If some of the atoms of the monomers are released into small molecules, such as water, the polymer is called a condensation polymer. Most addition polymers are made from monomers containing a double bond between carbon atoms. Such monomers are called olefins, and most commercial addition polymers are polyolefins. Condensation polymers are made from monomers that have two different groups of atoms which can join together to form, for example, ester or amide links. Polyesters are an important class of commercial polymers, as are polyamides (nylon).

Answer 2

Polymers are substances whose molecules have high molar masses and are composed of a large number of repeating units. There are both naturally occurring and synthetic polymers. Among naturally occurring polymers are proteins, starches, cellulose, and latex. Synthetic polymers are produced commercially on a very large scale and have a wide range of properties and uses. The materials commonly called plastics are all synthetic polymers.

Answer 3

Rather than just cutting and pasting large chunks of materials from the net that you only barely understand - why not just say they are generally man made substances derived from oil and petrochemicals and made up of long carbon-chain molecules.

They are the basis for most common plastics and synthetic materials including some clothing fabrics (nylon, rayon etc.) packaging (expanded polystyrene etc.) and clear wrappings (polythene, polyurethane, cellophane etc.)

Strictly polymers do not include naturally occurring long carbon chain molecules such as DNA and protein - partly because they are not so uniform in their repeating carbon units but also because how they are formed in nature. The latter point might also be an argument to exclude other natural long chain carbon substances such as starches and sugars (as might there length - generally much shorter than molecules of most man made polymers). However, as you can tell from other answers the strict usage of the terms "polymer" is not always followed.

Answer 4

Polymers are used in countless areas of a shoe. one million the only. So called "rubber soles" are easily produced from guy-made polymers. those are greater durable than organic rubber may well be. they are much less brittle, supply a greater useful grip and are much less services to oxidation. 2 The uppers. activities foot-ware like athletic shoes, footwear and coaching shoes have fabric panels which may well be produced from polymeric supplies. those are sturdier than organic recommendations. 3 Membranes. trekking boots and water-information shoes frequently have a membrane at the same time with Goretex between the shoe top and the interior lining. There are no organic recommendations hence.

Answer 5

Polymers are substances whose molecules have high molar masses and are composed of a large number of repeating units

Answer 6

The wide range and sheer number of polymers used as biomaterials

Answer 7

http://www.answers.com/+polymers?gwp=11&ver=1.1.2.381&method=3
http://www.reference.com/search?q=polymers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymers

HOPE THIS HELPS

Answer 8

they are long chain molecules... oh wait to make it easier to understand they are man made things that plastics are made of...ok?