Polymers are made up of lots of molecules linked together to form long chains. They are particularly important because their physical characteristics vary by which molecules are used and how they are put together. Their properties reflect this. We are all familiar with the plastic bag but this is just one particularly useful example of polymer technology.
One definition of the word plastic is pliable; something that can be easily shaped or moulded. It is this shaping property that makes polymers so widely used. The amazing diversity of polymer structure means that some are hard like the carbon fibre that is used in F1 motor racing cars; used for its great strength and low weight. Some are sticky (like silicone which we use as a sealant round the bath) and others are soft like plastic bags we put our shopping in. This rich versatility arises from the fact that every plastic has a certain temperature above which it is soft and can be shaped.
Over the last 20 years a lot of development work has gone into updating traditional polymer processing and utilisation into new micro technologies that are used in the biomedical, biochemical and telecommunication fields. Polymer processing is very effective here because the processes can be mass produced and also because the scale and ease of production now generates huge added value. In fact scientists are able to ask manufactures what particular combination of performance characteristics they need and then provide it. For example the performance characteristics of the carbon fibre now used in the F1 racing car would be:
1. High strength to weight ratio – needs to be strong and light to reduce fuel consumption, improve cornering ability and provide the driver with crash protection.
2. Temperature resistance – to withstand engine heat and exhaust gases 3. Chemical resistance – the body will come into contact with oil, racing fuel and rain and must be capable of being painted.
Micro polymer processing now gives us a huge variety of new convenience products which we use every day without considering their production. Examples include biodegradable packaging that breaks down to reduce environmental damage, new films that can be used to cover food when a microwave is used and ultra-thin plastic coating for paper bags making them more versatile whilst lowering costs. The pharmaceutical industry and healthcare in general make significant use of this technology and the machines that make it. Slow or controlled release drugs are of great advantage to the patient. The need to take one tablet a day can be removed by having a subcutaneous micropolymer implant that slowly releases a drug over a few weeks removing the need for a patient to remember to take the correct effective dosage. This is important for two reasons:
1. Treatments only work effectively when taken at the right dosage 2. Ineffective treatment in the form of missed doses costs the NHS in terms of wasted drugs and uncontrolled symptoms that get worse rather than better.
Energy conservation is a key issue currently and here again micro polymer processing has a valuable answer. The industry has developed polymers with material, electrical and processing properties which can be used in solar power panel coatings as electrical separator films making cheaper and more efficient units than were available previously.