Polymers are everywhere! And even if you don’t know what polymers are, you probably interact with them every day. Polymer science is an immensely broad and varied field, but this article will focus on eight everyday uses of polymers. Read on to find out where you can find these useful molecules in your life.
As you read through these uses of polymers, think about how your own life is filled with them. Think about (as a minimum) how many of your daily foods and beverages contain polymers. Then think about how you interact with polymer-containing objects and materials every day.
1) Plastics
Plastics are polymers. Let’s start with the basics. Plastic is a man-made material that is used in everything from construction materials, to toys, to household goods. If you want to make an object out of plastic, first you must make a polymer. Polychemistry.com explains that polymers are made by combining two (or more) monomers together.
Now that you know that plastic is a polymer, you can begin to see how important they are to everyday life.
2) Adhesives and Solvents
Adhesives are yet another everyday use of polymers. Adhesives are useful because they keep us attached to the items we need to be attached to. They have many different uses and can be found in some surprising places.
3) Maintenance Coatings
Maintenance coatings are one of the most important everyday uses of polymers. They are used in all sorts of maintenance applications, including automotive, aircraft, and industrial applications. Coatings also make it possible for maintenance personnel to improve the performance and longevity of their materials by applying them at specific times.
4) Tires
Tires are another example of a polymer that is essential to daily life. Tire manufacturers use polymers in the actual materials they produce because they are tough and strong. Some of the more common properties of polymers include strength, flexibility, and toughness—all qualities that make tires ideal for everyday use.
5) Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
Cosmetics and personal care products are filled with polymers! It should come as no shock to you, then, that cosmetics contain many different types of polymers. Polymers are used in cosmetics due to their strong ability to bind.
6) Textiles and Fibers
Textiles and fibers are also made from polymers. So, what does that mean? It means that when you look at your clothes, you should take a moment to think about the fact that they contain a polymer.
7) Food Packaging and Containers
You know how long-lasting and durable plastics are, which is why they’re so useful in everyday life. The same qualities make them ideal for food packaging and containers.
8) Medical Products
Polymers are important in the medical profession. In fact, they can be found in many different medical products. They include—but are not limited to—adhesives, casts, drug delivery systems, and bandages.
Polymer science is an immense field that stretches across the natural sciences and beyond. It has many applications in nearly every industry and can be applied to solve a broad range of problems for everyday life. There are so many uses for polymers in our society today—it’s clear that without them we wouldn’t have nearly as much convenience as we do.