PolymerIUPAC definitionA polymer is a substance composed of macromolecules. A macromolecule is a molecule of high relative molecular mass, the structure of which essentially comprises the multiple repetition of units derived, actually or conceptually, from molecules of low relative molecular mass.
NylonNylon is a family of synthetic polymers characterized by amide linkages, typically connecting aliphatic or semi-aromatic groups. Nylons are generally brownish in color and can possess a soft texture, with some varieties exhibiting a silk-like appearance. As thermoplastics, nylons can be melt-processed into fibers, films, and diverse shapes. The properties of nylons are often modified by blending with a variety of additives. Numerous types of nylon are available.
Polyvinyl chloridePolyvinyl chloride, alternatively poly(vinyl chloride), colloquially vinyl or polyvinyl, abbreviated PVC, is the world's third-most widely produced synthetic polymer of plastic (after polyethylene and polypropylene). About 40 million tons of PVC are produced each year. PVC comes in rigid (sometimes abbreviated as RPVC) and flexible forms. Rigid PVC is used in construction for pipes, doors, and windows.
Polyethylene terephthalatePolyethylene terephthalate (or poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, PETE, or the obsolete PETP or PET-P) is the most common thermoplasticpolymer resin of the polyester family and is used in fibres for clothing, containers for liquids and foods, and thermoformed parts for manufacturing, and in combination with glass fibre for engineering resins. In 2025, annual global production of PET was 31 million tons with 2031 projections showing over 40 million tons.
PolyethylenePolyethylene or polythene (abbreviated PE; IUPAC name polyethene or poly(methylene)) is the most commonly produced plastic. It is a polymer, primarily used for packaging (plastic bags, plastic films, geomembranes and containers including bottles, cups, jars, folders, etc.). As of 2017, over 100 million tonnes of polyethylene resins are being produced annually, accounting for 34% of the total plastics market.
BiopolymerBiopolymers are natural polymers produced by the cells of living organisms. Like other polymers, biopolymers consist of monomeric units that are covalently bonded in chains to form larger molecules. There are three main classes of biopolymers, classified according to the monomers used and the structure of the biopolymer formed: polynucleotides, polypeptides, and polysaccharides. The polynucleotides, RNA and DNA, are long polymers of nucleotides.
BakeliteBakelite ( BAY-kə-lyte) is the first plastic made from synthetic components. It was developed by chemist Leo Baekeland in Yonkers, New York, in 1907, and patented on December 7, 1909. After its invention, Bakelite became a commercial success because it could be molded into any shape. It has been used for such diverse products as kitchenware, jewelry, pipe stems, children's toys, and firearms.
BioplasticBioplastics(or bio-based plastics) are plastic materials produced from renewable biomass sources rather than petrochemical sources. This definition distinguishes it from biodegradable plastics, which are plastics that degrade by the natural action of microorganisms such as algae or bacteria. In the context of bioeconomy and the circular economy, bioplastics remain topical.
PolybutadienePolybutadiene [butadiene rubber, BR] is a synthetic rubber. It offers high elasticity, high resistance to wear, good strength even without fillers, and excellent abrasion resistance when filled and vulcanized. "Polybutadiene" is a collective name for homopolymers formed from the polymerization of the monomer 1,3-butadiene. The IUPAC refers to polybutadiene as "poly(buta-1,3-diene)".
PolytetrafluoroethylenePolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, and has numerous applications because it is heat resistant and chemically inert. The commonly known brand name of PTFE-based composition is Teflon by Chemours, a spin-off from DuPont, which originally invented the compound in 1938. Polytetrafluoroethylene is a fluorocarbon solid, as it is a high-molecular-weight polymer consisting wholly of carbon and fluorine.
Cookware and bakewareFood preparation containers Various commercial baking pans Cookware and bakeware is food preparation equipment, such as cooking pots (saucepan in British English), frying pans, baking sheets etc. used in kitchens. Cookware is used on a stove or range cooktop, while bakeware is used in an oven. Some utensils are considered both cookware and bakeware. There is a great variety of cookware and bakeware in shape, material, and inside surface.
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