A copolymer is a polymer derived from several mixed monomeric species. There are several types of copolymers with structural differences and offering improvement in the properties and performances of each ingredient. Copolymerization methods have been developed since 50 years or so to fulfil the needs of many industries and areas of life. Commercially relevant copolymers include ABS plastics, SBR, Nitrile rubber, etc. just to name a few. Each ingredient is used in different proportions and provides specific properties to the end-product.
Let’s take ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) which is a common example of a copolymer made by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene. . The most important mechanical properties of ABS are resistance and toughness, but a variety of modifications can be made to improve specific properties such as impact and scratch resistance, brilliance and deepness of colours, long quality life. Because of the combination of its characteristics and processing properties, ABS offers infinite possibilities for industry and industrial design, IT equipment, small and large electrical appliances, packaging, medical devices, etc.
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