The resulting resins may be molded or formed to produce several different kinds of plastic products with application in many major markets. The variability of resin permits a compound to be tailored to a specific design or performance requirement. This is why certain plastics are best suited for some applications while others are best suited for entirely different applications. For instance, impact strength measures the ability of a material to withstand shock loading. Heat resistance protects the resin from exposure to excessive temperatures.
Chemical resistance protects the resin from breakdown due to exposure to environmental chemicals.
The Structure of Polymers Polymers are created by the chemical bonding of many identical or related basic units and those produced from a single monomer type are called homopolymers. These polymers are specifically made of small units bonded into long chains. Carbon makes up the backbone of the molecule and hydrogen atoms are bonded along the carbon backbone. Diagram of polyethylene, the simplest polymer structure. Polymers that contain primarily carbon and hydrogen are classified as organic polymers.