Commercially important addition polymers*

Name of the Constituent Structure of Important Application of

polymer monomer the polymer properties of the polymer in
(type) polymer common life
Low density Ethylene [CH2–CH2] n Density is low Pipes, water lines,
polythene H2C = CH2 (LDPE) insulation in cables.
(homopolymer)
High density Ethylene [CH2–CH2] n Density is high Toys, household
polythene H2C = CH2 (HDPE) articles, laboratory
(homopolymer) apparatus.
Polyvinyl chloride Vinyl chloride – CH2 – CH– Resistant to acids and Adhesives, coatings,
or PVC H2C=CH | bases. Insoluble in fibres, cheap plastic
| Cl n
(homopolymer) water, alcohols and cables and pipes.
Cl
petroleum ether
Polyacrylonitrile Vinyl cyanide – CH2 – CH– Resistant to oil and Electrical and
(homopolymer) H2C=CH | electrolytes cooking ware
| CN n
CN
PolyvinylbenzeneVinyl benzene – CH2 – CH – Poor resistant to Moulded containers,
or polystyrene H2C = CH | weather. TV cabinets, toys,
(homopolymer) | C6H5 n Becomes yellow in air. foamed plastics,
C6H5
insulating material.
Polyvinyl Vinyl pyrrolidone –– CH2 – CH –– Resistant to strong Additive to basic
dye. |
N
pyrrolidone H2C = CH | | chemicals. Deepener to the
(homopolymer) | H2C CO Life saving as colour of dye.
C4H6NO | |
H2C CH2 n blood plasma
|

Polytetrafluoro Tetrafluro [F2 C  CF2 ]n Resistant to acids, Cooking ware,

ethylene ethylene bases and organic lubricant, electrical
or Teflon F2C = CF2 solvents. Strength is insulator.
(homopolymer) unchanged with
temperature
Polymetyl– Methyl CH3 Plexi glass, Substituent to glass,
methacrylate methacrylate | which is unbreakable decorative articles.
–H2C–C ––
or PMMA CH3 | material
(homopolymer) | O
H2C = C |
| CO
OCOCH3 |
CH3
n

Polypropelene Propylene –H2C – CH – Relatively stiff and Pipes, cables, fibres,

(homopolymer) H2C = CH | hard toys and ropes.
| CH3 n
CH3
 Commercially important condensation polymers*
Name of the Constituent Structure of polymer Application
polymer monomer(s) (important property) in common
(type) life
Nylon 6 Caprolactum [NH  (CH 2 )5 CO]n Textiles, tyre
or perlon L CH2 – CH2 – CO (High electrical resistance, antiabravisive) cords, ropes
(homopolymer) CH2 | |
| CH2 – CH2 – NH

Terylene or Terephthalic acid Ropes, tents,

Decron or (PET) –OC COO CH2 – CH2 – O – safety belts,
Polyethylene HOOC COOH n tyre cords
terephthalate (Resistant to water, but attacked by NaOH)
(copolymer) Ethylene glycol
HO–CH 2–CH2–OH

Glyptal Phthalic acid Paints,

– OC COO CH2 – CH2 – O –
(copolymer) HOOC COOH lacquers

Ethylene glycol (Resistant to water)

HO–CH 2–CH2–OH
Urea- Urea [HN–CO–NH–CH2] n Laminated
formaldehyde H2N–CO–NH2 (Resistant to water, solvents and has high sheets,
resin Formaldehyde mechanical strength) unbreakable
(copolymer) HCHO cups
Bakelite Phenol OH Gears, prote-
(copolymer) C6H5OH CH2 c t i v e
coatings,
Formaldehyde n laminations
HCHO
(Cures under pressure and bonds layer firmly)
Melamine- Melamine Unbreakable
HN N NH–CH2
fromaldehyde H2N N NH2 crockery
(copolymer) N N
N N
NH
NH2 n
Formaldehyde
HCHO (Stiff and hard material)
Polysiloxane Dihydroxydimethyl R R Surface
(homopolymer) silane coatings in
R HO Si O Si OH aeroplanes,
HO Si OH R n R missiles,
R (High thermal stability. Polymer is aswaxes
available in solid, liquid and gas phases)