Synthetic polymers engineering applications

It has been a long way from early synthetic polymers created as artificial substitutes (Kunststoffe) for scarcening metal resources, to modem materials tailormade to fill specific functions through particular properties and processing characteristics in many areas of application. Ever since they were first prepared, surprising new or improved properties have been discovered or engineered. 

Abstract Synthetic polymers and biopolymers are extensively used within the field of tissue engineering. Some common examples of these materials include polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, collagen, elastin, and various forms of polysaccharides. In terms of application, these materials are primarily used in the construction of scaffolds that aid in the local delivery of cells and growth factors, and in many cases fulfill a mechanical role in supporting physiologic loads that would otherwise be supported by a healthy tissue. In this review we will examine the development of scaffolds derived from biopolymers and their use with various cell types in the context of tissue engineering the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. 

Polymers for membrane preparation can be classified into natural and synthetic ones. Polysaccharides and rubbers are important examples of natural membrane materials, but only cellulose derivatives are still used in large scale for technical membranes. By far the majority of current membranes are made from synthetic polymers (which, however, originally had been developed for many other engineering applications). Macromolecular structure is crucial for membrane barrier and other properties main factors include the chemical structure of the chain segments, molar mass (chain length), chain flexibility as well as intra- and intermolecular interactions. 

Geotextiles have become one of the most important fields of application for synthetic polymeric fibers. In view of their great importance, we describe them in a separate section. Textiles made of synthetic polymer fibers are used in various applications to address a variety of solids-related problems in civil engineering such as soil support, stabilization, separation and filtration, reinforcement of... 

Adhesives have been used sinee ancient times, but only since the advent of synthetic polymers (plastics) has their use become of major importance because manufacturers can now synthesize polymers and compound adhesive formulations to fit the requirements of the application. In other words, adhesives can be engineered for improved characteristics such as speed of cure, heat resistance, and impact resistance. Cyanoacrylates are just such an adhesive. 

Polymers are used in much less obvious but often very important engineering applications. A major hidden use of polymers is as adhesives. The traditional glues were of course polymers derived from natural products. Some of the best of these still survive but synthetic polymer chemistry had led to very significant advances, particularly in the development of hot-melt adhesives that do not require solvents for their application. Another important development is the reactive adhesives based on ethyl cyanoacrylate ... 

Tires are one of the most durable technological products manufactured today. They are a resilient, durable composite of fabric, steel, carbon black, natural rubber, and synthetic polymers. The qualities that make tires or other engineered rubber products a high-value item create a special challenge of disposal. Tires and other rubber products, such as conveyor belts and hydrauUc hoses, are not biodegradable and cannot be recycled like glass, aluminum, or plastic. Four potential applications for such products entering the solid waste stream have been identified ... 

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