List of synthetic polymers

Synthetic polymers are often referred to as "plastics", such as the well-known polyethylene and nylon. However, most of them can be classified in at least three main categories: thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers.

They are not limited to having carbon backbones, elements such as silicon form familiar materials such as silicones. Coordination polymers may contain a range of metals in the backbone, with non-covalent bonding present.

Man-made polymers are used in a wide array of applications: food packaging, paper, films, fibers, tubing, pipes, etc. The personal care industry also uses polymers to aid in texture of products, binding, and moisture retention (e.g. in hair gel and conditioners).

Inorganic examples

Main article: Inorganic polymer

• Polysiloxane
• Polyphosphazene

The seven most common types of synthetic polymers, which are commonly found in households are:

Low Density Polyethylene(LDPE),

High Density Polyethylene(HDPE),

Polypropylene(PP)

Polyvinyl Chloride(PVC)

Polystyrene(PS)

Nylon , nylon 6 , nylon 6,6

Teflon(Poly tetra polyethylene)

thermoplastic polyurethanes(TPU)

Brand names

These polymers are often better known through their brand names, for instance:

• Bakelite, i.e. phenol-formaldehyde resin
• Kevlar, Twaron, i.e. para-aramid
• Kynar, i.e. PVDF
• Mylar, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate film
• Neoprene i.e. Polychloroprene
• Nylon, i.e. polyamide 6,6
• Orlon, i.e. polyacrylonitrile
• Rilsan, i.e. polyamide 11 & 12
• Technora, i.e. copolyamid
• Teflon, i.e. PTFE
• Ultem, i.e. polyimide
• Vectran, i.e. aromatic polyamide
• Viton, i.e. poly-tetrafluoroethylene
• Zylon, i.e. poly-p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole (PBO)

See also

• Polymerization
• Radical polymerization
• RAFT (chemistry)