Polymer properties and processes
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and justify the material and process used for a polymer product.
Key learning points
- There are four main stages in the sourcing of polymers: extraction, refinement, cracking and polymerisation.
- There is an environmental impact to extracting and processing polymers.
- Polypropylene is suitable for kitchen products. It is tough, flexible, food safe and has good corrosion resistance.
- Injection moulding is suitable for complex shapes, high volume production and can be automated.
Keywords
Synthetic - manufactured, not naturally occuring
Biodegradable - decays naturally
Fractional distillation - separating component parts of a mixture
Polymerisation - chemically combining small molecules called monomers to form long chain structures called polymers
Common misconception
All polymers are non biodegradable and can last for hundreds of year.
Polymers come in many forms including biodegradable and bio-based polymers that will break down more easily in the environment.
Teacher tip
Give pupils the opportunity to handle a variety of polymer products. Particular products that have evidence of the injection moulding process. Interacting with the products will enrich the learning.
Equipment
An example of a polypropylene citrus fruit juicer.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where are most polymers sourced from?
Q2.Polymers can be categorised as ...
Q3.Polymer products are often stamped with this symbol, why?
Q4.Why are single use polymers like drinking straws discouraged?
Q5.Why are saucepan handles made from a thermosetting polymer?
Q6.Match the products to the thermoforming polymer which it is made from.
menu stand in a restaurant
polymer milk bottle top
carrier bags
clothing
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the four stages of sourcing and creating polymers to their explanations.
obtaining the fossil fuels from within the earth's crust
converting the fossil fuels into useful materials
breaking down the material into smaller more manageable molecules
creating long chains of monomers
Q2.Explain the term fractional distillation.
Q3.Materials that are not naturally occurring and need to be manufactured by humans are called ...
Q4.What are the properties of polypropylene?
Q5.What kind of process is injection moulding?
Q6.The advantages of injection moulding are:
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Polymer properties and processes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Polymer properties and processes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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