Polystyrene

Polyethylene

Nylon 6,6

*The polar ester groups make for strong crystals. *In addition, the aromatic rings like to stack together in an orderly fashion, making the crystal even stronger. PET - Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

These polar carbonyl groups are attracted to each other, and very strongly at that. This attraction is so strong that while polyethlyene melts at ~140 °C, the polyketone doesn't melt until 255 °C! This makes polyketone very strong but very brittle. Polyketons

Shell has put the polyketone made with ethylene, carbon monoxide, and a little bit of propylene on the market and sells them under the name Carilon. This polymer is tougher and less brittle.

Carilon Thermoplastic Polymers

SRI (nonprofit research institute) International offers Carilon thermoplastic polymers for multiple applications in the engineering thermoplastic and fiber markets. Originally developed by Shell Oil Company and now available for license exclusively through SRI, Carilon polymers offer superior strength, wear and low permeability. These features make them ideal for use in automotive parts; electrical and electronics systems; business machines and consumer appliances; film, fiber and protective coatings; laboratory supplies, and industrial applications. Representing the next wave in high-performance polymeric materials, Carilon plastics are based on a semicrystalline thermoplastic technology, exhibiting performance characteristics that are maintained even at high temperatures. Carilon polymers offer a broad range of features: Outstanding chemical resistance and low permeability Superior strength, wear and friction characteristics High resistance to fatigue, creep, swelling and repetitive deformation Excellent balance of stiffness and toughness over a wide temperature range High-quality moldings at short cycle times Resistance to a variety of fuels, organic solvents and aggressive aqueous media Flame retardancy

Article: Shell Abandons Carilon, Sells Polyurethanes (Company Business and Marketing)(Brief Article) Article from: Chemical Week Article date: February 23, 2000

Kevlar

Kevlar is the trademark for a para-aramid synthetic fiber, developed at DuPont in This high strength material was first commercially used in the early 1970s as a replacement for steel in racing tires. Currently, Kevlar has many applications, ranging from bicycle tires and racing sails to body armor because of its high tensile strength-to-weight ratio; It is 5 times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis.

Nomex is a trademark for flame-resistant meta-aramid material developed in the early 1960s by DuPont.