Uses of Polymers (Oxford AQA IGCSE Combined Science Double Award)

Uses of Polymers

• Polymers have many useful applications such as:

  • In packaging new materials

  • Waterproof coatings for fabrics

  • Dental polymers

  • Wound dressings

  • Hydrogels

  • Smart materials such as shape memory polymers

Smart Materials

• Smart materials are ones which can have their properties changed in a reversible way 

  • For example, a material might be able to have its shape changed, but can revert back to its original shape if the conditions are changed, such as being heated up 

Hydrogels

• Hydrogels are able to absorb up to 1000 times their own volume in water 

• The water molecules join weakly to the polymer chains causing the gel to swell 

• If the gel is placed into dry conditions, it will release the water slowly 

• Uses of these include nappies and granules which are added to soil to help plants retain water 

Shape-memory polymers

• This type of polymer can be bent out of their original shape but revert back when heated 

• These are used in car bumpers so that if a collision occurs it can be returned to its original shape 

• They are also used in helmets and gum-shields 

How shape memory polymers work