Unit 22: Materials ScienceLearning aim C: Investigate the benefits and limitations of polymer technology. Assignment title Polymers for a purpose.Task:Using your lesson notes and research you have carried out polymer chemistry, produce a briefing paper for 'The British Plastics Federation' that includes:? An explanation of the uses (e.g. construction, transport, electronics and computing, sport and leisure, packaging, domestic household uses), benefits and limitations of polyvinylchloride (PVC), poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and Nylon 6,6. Include correct terminology (e.g. natural and synthetic, thermosetting and thermoplastics, polymerisation, monomer, polymer and co-polymer, polymer composites, elasticity and plasticity) to provide appropriate evidence and reasons for their suitability and limitations.? Select at least THREE different types of additives (e.g. fillers, plasticisers, cross-linking agents, impact modifiers, antioxidants, stabilisers and decolourants) and explain and justify the benefits of using these additives with reference to how they modify the properties of specific polymers.? Choose THREE different polymers from the examples already used to exemplify the benefits of additives and justify the methods used to test the suitability of your three examples of modified polymers for a specific purpose.? Choose THREE different applications of polymers (such as non-stick coatings, bags, window frames, electrical insulators, fabrics, paint, medicines and automotive parts). Evaluate the methods of testing, the uses, benefits, limitations and environmental risks of different types of polymers for each of your chosen applications. You must use evidence to draw valid conclusions.

Criteria covered by this task: Unit/Criteria reference To achieve the criteria, you must show that you are able to: C. D3 Evaluate the methods of testing, the uses, benefits, limitations and environmental risks of different types of polymers for given applications. C. M3 Justify the uses of additives and the methods used for testing the suitability of different types of polymers for given applications. C. P4 Explain the uses, benefits and limitations of polymers. C. P5 Explain the benefits of using additives to modify the properties of plastics. Sources of information to support you with this http://essentialchemicalindustry.org/polymers/polymers-an- Assignment overview.html http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/1polymer/t ypes.html http://www.chem1.com/acad/webtext/states/polymers.html http://www.bpf.co.uk/plastipedia/additives/Default.aspx Edexcel A Level Science - A2 Chemistry Students Book ISBN 9781408206058