Vinylon
Vinylon, also known as PVA fiber or vinalon, is a synthetic fiber that is remarkable for its versatility and water resistance. It is created through the polymerization of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate, forming a copolymer—a kind of polymer derived from two different monomers. This combination endows Vinylon with a unique set of properties, like high tensile strength and resistance to chemicals and sunlight.
Commonly used in industrial applications, it also serves as material for outdoor gear, fishing lines, and textiles, especially where durability against the elements is required. Since Vinylon can absorb water, despite its overall water-resistant quality, it softens with moisture, which gives fabrics made from it a more cotton-like feel when wet.
Saran Polymer
The saran polymer is another type of copolymer and is best known by its trade name, Saran Wrap—a popular kitchen plastic wrap. Made by the polymerization of vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride, saran polymer's chemical composition offers an impressive barrier against gases and aromas. This makes it exceptionally useful in food packaging to maintain freshness while preventing odors.
Beyond kitchen use, this polymer finds a role in numerous industrial applications. The material's low permeability to water, solvents, and gases enables its use in hoses, gaskets, and corrosion-resistant coatings. Saran's toughness and dimensional stability over a range of temperatures add to its desirability in many market sectors.
Butyl Rubber
Butyl rubber is a type of synthetic rubber that is a copolymer of isobutylene and a small percentage of isoprene. Its unique structure grants this material excellent impermeability to gases and resistance to ozone, weather conditions, and chemicals, including acids and alkalis.
Because of these traits, butyl rubber is commonly used in applications like tire inner liners, window seals, and protective clothing, where air retention and durability are paramount. Its capacity to dampen vibration also makes it a preferred material for adhesives, sealants, and even within sporting equipment like soccer balls and basketballs.
Synthetic Rubbers
Synthetic rubbers are elastomers synthesized from petroleum byproducts, designed to mimic the properties of natural rubber and, in some cases, improve upon them. The term 'synthetic rubbers' encompasses a wide range of different materials, including butyl rubber, neoprene, and nitrile rubber, each having distinct properties tailored for specific uses.
These rubber types are used extensively across various industries, from the automotive sector in the manufacturing of tires and gaskets to healthcare in the production of gloves and tubing. Synthetic rubbers offer advantages over natural rubber, such as enhanced resistance to heat, oil, and abrasion, and are pivotal in applications where these properties are critically necessary.