Chemical Compounds
10 compounds
Cellulose
(C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙCellulose is the most abundant organic polymer on Earth, forming the structural component of plant cell walls. It is a …
Kevlar
(C₁₄H₁₀N₂O₂)ₙKevlar is an aramid fiber five times stronger than steel by weight. Invented by Stephanie Kwolek in 1965, it is …
Nomex
(C₁₄H₁₀N₂O₂)ₙNomex is a heat-resistant aramid fiber used in firefighter gear, race car driver suits, and electrical insulation. It does not …
Nylon-6,6
(C₁₂H₂₂N₂O₂)ₙNylon-6,6 was the first commercially successful synthetic polymer, developed by Wallace Carothers at DuPont in 1935. It revolutionized the textile …
Phenol-Formaldehyde Resin
(C₇H₆O₂)ₙBakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, is a phenol-formaldehyde resin invented in 1907. It launched the Age of Plastics and …
Polyacrylonitrile
(C₃H₃N)ₙPolyacrylonitrile (PAN) is the primary precursor for carbon fiber production, accounting for about 90% of all carbon fiber made.
Polycarbonate
(C₁₆H₁₄O₃)ₙPolycarbonate is an extremely tough, transparent thermoplastic. It is virtually unbreakable under normal conditions, with impact resistance 250 times that …
Polyethylene
(C₂H₄)ₙPolyethylene is the most widely produced plastic in the world, with annual production exceeding 100 million tonnes. It comes in …
Polyethylene Terephthalate
(C₁₀H₈O₄)ₙPET is one of the most recycled plastics worldwide. It is clear, strong, and lightweight, making it ideal for beverage …
Polyhydroxybutyrate
(C₄H₆O₂)ₙPHB is a biodegradable polyester produced naturally by bacteria as an energy storage material. It is being developed as an …
Polylactic Acid
(C₃H₄O₂)ₙPLA is a biodegradable polymer made from corn starch or sugarcane. It is the most widely used bioplastic, found in …
Polymethyl Methacrylate
(C₅H₈O₂)ₙPMMA (Plexiglas/Lucite) is a transparent thermoplastic often used as a lightweight, shatter-resistant alternative to glass.
Polypropylene
(C₃H₆)ₙPolypropylene is the second most widely produced plastic polymer. It has excellent chemical resistance, elasticity, and fatigue resistance. It can …
Polystyrene
(C₈H₈)ₙPolystyrene is a versatile plastic that can be rigid or foamed. Expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) is 95-98% air, giving it excellent …
Polytetrafluoroethylene
(C₂F₄)ₙPTFE, marketed as Teflon, has the lowest coefficient of friction of any known solid. The strong C-F bonds make it …
Polyurethane
(C₃H₂NO)ₙPolyurethane is one of the most versatile polymers, produced as flexible foam, rigid foam, coatings, adhesives, and elastomers.
Polyvinyl Chloride
(C₂H₃Cl)ₙPolyvinyl chloride is the third most widely produced plastic polymer. It is inherently rigid and flame-resistant but can be made …
Sodium Polyacrylate
(C₃H₃NaO₂)ₙSodium polyacrylate is a superabsorbent polymer that can absorb 300-800 times its weight in water. It is the key material …
Starch
(C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙStarch is a polysaccharide that plants use to store energy. It consists of two polymers: amylose (linear) and amylopectin (branched). …