Advantages And Disadvantages Of Polymers
We discussed what is polymer what are the types of polymers in this article. If you do not know about polymers, you can read about polymer in that brief explanation. Like other types of materials such as ceramics, metals, etc. polymers also have advantages and disadvantages, which define their market and application areas.
What Are The Advantages Of Polymers?
If you make a good start with polymer materials, you can check the textbook recommendation of Mechanical Base. Click on the link above or the ‘Shop Now’ button to check the Introduction to Polymers textbook from CRC Press! More cheap kindle and eTextbook versions are available on Amazon!
- Processing of polymers can be very easy compared with other materials. No further processes are generally required to obtain the net shape of the plastic part. Usually, the net shape of the last product from polymer can be produced with one process such as plastic injection.
- Low thermal and electrical conductivity, high corrosion resistance, and very good strength to weight ratio make polymers are very attractive materials for such engineering applications.
- Polymers are generally used in composite materials.
- Transparent and translucent plastics or polymers can be produced. This property of polymers makes them a competitive material to glass.
- Because the melting temperature of plastics is low generally, which provides the low processing temperatures for polymers. Process energies are also low because of this reason compared with metals. Which makes polymers are cost-competitive with metals.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Polymers?
- Because of the viscoelastic property of most polymers, they can not be used in bearing load applications.
- Service temperature limit is such a problem to use polymers in high-temperature applications. They have relatively low melting and degradation temperatures, so this can be a limit for use at high temperatures.
- Some polymers can degrade on sunlight and some radiations.
- Strength and hardness are low compared with ceramics and metals.
- Modulus of elasticity or stiffness is generally low in polymers. But for elastomers, this property can be an advantage for come applications.
Conclusion
The advantages and disadvantages of polymers and plastics can be summarized like above. When you select the proper material for your application or design, you need to select the proper material for it by looking at its properties. These advantages and disadvantages of polymers can be helpful for you. Do not forget to leave your comments and questions about the advantages and disadvantages of polymer below. Your feedback is very important for us.
