While most people think of polymers as synthetic, they do occur in nature as well. For example, various wood resins and rubber are polymers. Organic proteins are polymers of amino acids. Inorganic polymers can also be found in nature in diamonds and graphite, and it is the 3-d linking of carbons into a network that gives a diamond its unprecedented hardness.
Whether organic or synthetic, a polymer is made up of repeating chemical units called monomers, which can be linked together in various ways to make different kinds of polymers. Each has specific properties tailored to a variety of different applications such as car tyres, plastic containers, electrical insulation, and non-stick coatings.
Plasma polymer composite.
One exciting area that has recently been opened up by research is the plasma polymer composite, which uses plasma to modify the surface of a material. When combined with the plasma thermal spraying technique, this creates unique coatings for use across a broad spectrum of industries such as the aerospace, automotive, and medical sectors.
As can be seen from specialists such as https://www.poeton.co.uk/advanced-treatments/apticote-810-plasma-polymer-composite, this material is extremely versatile and can protect against corrosion, extremes of temperature, or added wear and friction. Plasma spray coatings are the ideal method of applying polymers quickly to components and substrates. With an ever-increasing focus on sustainability and waste reduction, the demand for coatings that can increase the lifespan of a substrate can only grow in the coming years. For an in-depth read of polymer composition see to get an idea of the complexity of this fascinating subject.
The future.
Ongoing research into polymers and the search for new polymerization methods will lead to new materials with ever-increasing functionality and advanced properties. Polymers already play a great, if often unseen, part in our lives, in such products as cosmetics, textiles, construction materials, packaging products, non-stick cookware, and healthcare items. As research continues this will no doubt increase into such areas as digital data transmission and storage as well as other high-tech products such as light-sensitive polymers and polymers that are rapidly biodegradable for use in food and household goods packaging.