Polymerization and Plastics

Flammable liquids may undergo a chemical reaction called polymerization, in which a large number of simple molecules, called monomers, combine to form long-chained molecule called a polymer. This process is used under controlled conditions to create plastics (see Fignre 5.17). AUcene hydrocarbon compounds and hydrocarbon derivatives, such as aldehydes, alkyl halides, and esters, and the aromatic hydrocarbon styrene may nndergo polymerization. There are other monomers that are flammable and can polymerize, but their primary hazard is poison. Monomers can be flammable liquids, flammable gases, and poisons. 

When a monomer, such as styrene, is transported or stored, an inhibitor is included in solntion to keep the styrene from polymerizing. An inhibitor, nsually an organic componnd, retards or stops an unwanted polymerization reaction. If an accident shonld occnr, this inhibitor can become separated from the monomer and a runaway polymerization may occur. Phenol — a deadly poison — is nsed as an inhibitor for vinyl chloride. Dibutylamine is used as an inhibitor for bntadiene. 

The molecules or monomers bond to each other to Form a long-chain polymer, 

This has been an abbreviated explanation of polymers and plastics, which are fairly complicated subjects. An entire book could be written on them. The most important thing for responders to understand about monomers and polymers is to be able to recognize them and the danger they present in the uncontrolled conditions of the incident scene. 

Typical Flammable Ranges of Flammable Liquid Families 

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In many process design applications like polymerization and plasticization, specific knowledge of the thermodynamics of polymer systems can be very useful. For example, non-ideal solution behavior strongly governs the diffusion phenomena observed for polymer melts and concentrated solutions. Hence, accurate modeling of... 

The two principal methods used for the synthesis of aromatic polyamides are interfacial polymerization and solution polymerization. Vapor-phase polymerization and plasticized melt techniques have also been demonstrated but have not been adopted for practical use. 

Eactors Affecting Boiling Point Molecular Weight Polarity Branching Plash Point Vapor Pressure Vapor Content Vapor Density Specific Gravity Polymerization and Plastics Ignition Temperature... 

CH2=CHC = CCH = CH2. a colourless liquid which turns yellow on exposure to the air it has a distinct garlic-like odour b.p. 83-5°C. Manufactured by the controlled, low-temperature polymerization of acetylene in the presence of an aqueous solution of copper(I) and ammonium chlorides. It is very dangerous to handle, as it absorbs oxygen from the air to give an explosive peroxide. When heated in an inert atmosphere, it polymerizes to form first a drying oil and finally a hard, brittle insoluble resin. Reacts with chlorine to give a mixture of chlorinated products used as drying oils and plastics. 

White crystals m.p. 162-164 C. ll can be prepared by the fermentation of sugar with the mould Aspergillus lerreus or by healing citra-conic anhydride with water at ISO C. Electrolysis of the potassium salt in solution gives allene. Itaconic acid is used as a comonomer in plastics its esters are polymerized to lubricating oils and plasticizers. 

Nylon A class of synthetic fibres and plastics, polyamides. Manufactured by condensation polymerization of ct, oj-aminomonocarboxylic acids or of aliphatic diamines with aliphatic dicarboxylic acids. Also rormed specifically, e.g. from caprolactam. The different Nylons are identified by reference to the carbon numbers of the diacid and diamine (e.g. Nylon 66 is from hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid). Thermoplastic materials with high m.p., insolubility, toughness, impact resistance, low friction. Used in monofilaments, textiles, cables, insulation and in packing materials. U.S. production 1983 11 megatonnes. 

Synthetic Fiber and Plastics Industries. In the synthetic fibers and plastics industries, the substrate itself serves as the solvent, and the whitener is not appHed from solutions as in textiles. Table 6 Hsts the types of FWAs used in the synthetic fibers and plastic industries. In the case of synthetic fibers, such as polyamide and polyester produced by the melt-spinning process, FWAs can be added at the start or during the course of polymerization or polycondensation. However, FWAs can also be powdered onto the polymer chips prior to spinning. The above types of appHcation place severe thermal and chemical demands on FWAs. They must not interfere with the polymerization reaction and must remain stable under spinning conditions. 

Various other diesters, mixed esters, and polyesters of trimethylpentanediol are useful as monomeric or polymeric plasticizers for coatings and plastic film and sheeting (49). They are compatible with, and useful ia, ceUulosics, vinyls, polystyrenes, and some other plastics. 

In the sheet-forming process, stainless steel, bronze, nickel-base alloys, or titanium powders are mixed with a thermosetting plastic and presintered to polymerize the plastic. Sintering takes place in wide, shallow trays. The specified porosity is achieved by selecting the proper particle size of the powder. Sheet is available in a variety of thicknesses between 16 x 30 mm and as much as 60 x 150 cm. A sheet can be sheared, roUed, and welded into different configurations. 

Ammonia is used in the fibers and plastic industry as the source of nitrogen for the production of caprolactam, the monomer for nylon 6. Oxidation of propylene with ammonia gives acrylonitrile (qv), used for the manufacture of acryHc fibers, resins, and elastomers. Hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA), produced from ammonia and formaldehyde, is used in the manufacture of phenoHc thermosetting resins (see Phenolic resins). Toluene 2,4-cHisocyanate (TDI), employed in the production of polyurethane foam, indirectly consumes ammonia because nitric acid is a raw material in the TDI manufacturing process (see Amines Isocyanates). Urea, which is produced from ammonia, is used in the manufacture of urea—formaldehyde synthetic resins (see Amino resins). Melamine is produced by polymerization of dicyanodiamine and high pressure, high temperature pyrolysis of urea, both in the presence of ammonia (see Cyanamides). 

Styrene is a colorless Hquid with an aromatic odor. Important physical properties of styrene are shown in Table 1 (1). Styrene is infinitely soluble in acetone, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, ether, / -heptane, and ethanol. Nearly all of the commercial styrene is consumed in polymerization and copolymerization processes. Common methods in plastics technology such as mass, suspension, solution, and emulsion polymerization can be used to manufacture polystyrene and styrene copolymers with different physical characteristics, but processes relating to the first two methods account for most of the styrene polymers currendy (ca 1996) being manufactured (2—8). Polymerization generally takes place by free-radical reactions initiated thermally or catalyticaHy. Polymerization occurs slowly even at ambient temperatures. It can be retarded by inhibitors. 

A key property associated with chlorinated paraffins, particularly the high chlorine grades, is nonflammability, which has led to their use as fire-retardant additives and plasticizers in a wide range of polymeric materials. The fire-retardant properties are considerably enhanced by the inclusion of antimony trioxide. 

The amine groups thus formed can also react vigorously with the isocyanate groups to continue the chain extension and cross-linking reactions. Hence, ia the systems there are simultaneous foaming, polymerization, and cross-linking reactions, which produce foam elastomers (or plastics). 

Acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (also called nitrile or nitrile butadiene rubber) was commercially available in 1936 under the name Buna-N. It was obtained by emulsion polymerization of acrylonitrile and butadiene. During World War II, NBR was used to replace natural rubber. After World War II, NBR was still used due to its excellent properties, such as high oil and plasticizer resistance, excellent heat resistance, good adhesion to metallic substrates, and good compatibility with several compounding ingredients. 

PVC, the polymerization product of chlorine-substituted ethylene derivatives, is probably the most widely used plastic for process plant construction. It is available in four different types rigid, high impact, high temperature and plasticized. 

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