Plastic and polymer raw materials used in the industry are mainly obtained from natural sources such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt and crude oil. Plastics are made of polymers, which are composed of a chain of molecules called monomers. Polymers are durable and strong due to their chain structure and strong bonds between their molecules.
Plastic and polymer raw materials and polymerization process
Polymers are mainly derived from crude oil and due to its abundant resources, their production cost is relatively low. In the polymerization process, monomers combine together to form longer chains known as polymers. In industry, these polymers are combined with various additives to obtain specific properties such as strength or heat resistance.
Types of plastic raw materials and their composition
Plastics are a combination of polymer and additives that can be molded into different shapes. This combination usually takes place at moderate temperature and pressure, and plastics are divided into two main categories.
- Thermoplastics: These types of plastics can be melted and reshaped and can be recycled repeatedly. This property allows them to be reused in injection molding and extrusion processes. Polyethylene and polypropylene are examples of this category that have many applications in various industries.
- Thermosets: unlike thermoplastics, this plastic cannot be re-melted after hardening. Thermoset plastics are mostly used in cases that require high resistance to heat and pressure.
Amorphous and crystalline thermoplastics
Thermoplastics are divided into two categories, amorphous and crystalline, and we will discuss each of them below.
- Amorphous: They have an irregular molecular structure and are usually transparent, solid and hard. For example, polystyrene is an amorphous polymer.
- Crystalline: These materials have a crystal-like structure and are usually harder and more resistant than amorphous ones. Polyethylene and polypropylene are semi-crystalline thermoplastics that are very suitable for industrial applications due to their high strength and flexibility.
Polymers with homopolymer and copolymer categories
In the production of polymers, if one type of monomer is used, the final product will be a homopolymer; Like polyethylene. But if two or more monomers are used, the polymer is called a copolymer, which offers different and improved properties. These items are the raw materials of the plastic industry and its types.
Applications and importance of plastic and polymer raw materials
Plastic and polymer raw materials play a very important role in the wide range of applications of these materials in various industries. Due to features such as lightness, high corrosion resistance, and insulating properties, polymers and plastics are widely used in many industries, including automotive, packaging, electronics, construction, and medicine.
In the automotive industry, due to its low weight and high resistance, various polymers are used in the production of internal and external car parts. This leads to a reduction in vehicle weight and improved fuel consumption. Also, thermal and electrical insulating polymers and plastics are used as covers and protective parts in the electronics industry. In the field of packaging, plastics are a popular option for packaging food and various products due to their moisture resistance and recyclability.
In the medical industry, the use of biocompatible plastic raw materials for the production of surgical tools, medical equipment and even implants is very important. Polymers have become an ideal option for use in health environments due to their flexibility and sterilizability characteristics.
This wide application shows the importance of plastic raw materials and its production technologies and emphasizes that raw materials and optimal production processes are the key success factors of this industry.
final word
Considering that about 5% of extracted oil is dedicated to polymers, this industry has been able to provide cheap and abundant raw materials for plastic production by using natural resources and optimal production processes. Plastic raw materials, along with technical knowledge and innovation in chemical engineering, play a very important role in the expansion of the use of plastic in various industries.
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