There are two main types of polymers; Organic (Natural) and Non-Organic (Synthetic) Polymers Since urethane clear coat paint is both a non-organic polymer and has porosity, a durable bond is formed and provides the intended protection. A polymer forms a molecular bond with other polymers in a chain-like structure or polymerization, which involves the formation of chains of monomers to form a polymer. It cannot form a bond with an organic (natural) organic Carnauba wax as they do not contain polymers ;( non-organic (synthetic) waxes however, are formulated with polymers, which enable molecular bonding or cross-linking Carnauba wax (Brasilia Carnauba) - is an organic (natural) product, a vegetable wax (fat) wax derived from the fronds of the carnauba palm, Copernicia prunifera, a plant native to and grown only in the north-eastern Brazilian states of Piauí, Ceará, and Rio Grande do Norte. It is known as "queen of waxes” and usually comes in the form of hard yellow-brown flakes. It is obtained from the leaves of the carnauba palm by collecting them, beating them to loosen the wax, then refining the wax. Polymers –most commonly used polymers in the car care industry are non-organic, chemically it is a macro-molecule formed by the chemical union of five or more identical combining units called, monomers. Silicones and resins can be generalized then, as "polymers." Examples of polymers include: polyethylene, polyurethane or poly (tetrafluoroethylene). These products start with "poly" followed by another word. So what you have, for example, are many units of ethylene. For example, most of the thickeners used in waxes and sealants are polymers. So the marketing people can "honestly" say in their marketing and put on the label that "this product contains space-age polymers.” Organic Polymers - modification of natural polymers (Cellulose - the structural component of the primary cell wall of green plants, and Natural rubber - an elastomeric (an elastic hydrocarbon polymer) found in the sap of some plants); many commercially important polymers are synthesized by chemical modification of naturally occurring polymers. Prominent examples include the reaction of nitric acid and cellulose to form nitrocellulose and the formation of vulcanized rubber by heating natural rubber in the presence of sulphur. Melanin is a class of compounds found in the plant and animal kingdoms, where it serves predominantly as a pigment. The class of pigments are derivatives of the amino acid tyrosine. Many melanin’s are insoluble salts and show affinity to water. The most common form of biological melanin is eumelanin, a brown-black polymer of dihydroxyindole, dihydroxyindole carboxylic acid, and their reduced forms. Another common form of melanin is pheomelanin, a red-brown polymer of benzothiazine units largely responsible for red hair and freckles. The presence of melanin in the archaea and bacteria kingdoms is an issue of ongoing debate amongst researchers in the field. The increased production of melanin in human skin is called melanogenesis. It is stimulated by the DNA damages that are caused by UVB-radiation Non-Organic Polymer - materials such as nylon, urethane, polyethylene, Teflon®, and silicone have formed the basis for a huge and ever expanding polymer industry. Most commercially important polymers today are entirely synthetic and produced in high volume on appropriately scaled organic synthetic techniques. Polymers are widely used as adhesives and lubricants, as well as in urethane paint, clear bras, paint sealants, synthetic waxes, and other car care products The development of modern polymeric sealants coincided with the development of the polymer industry itself; sometime in the early ‘30’s.Common sealants include silicones, acrylics, urethanes, butyls and other polymeric types Since the bonding or cross-linking of polymers increases the toughness and strength of the material, it makes sense that the cross-linking of polymers is an essential element of modern synthetic automobile sealants. Exceptions to Organic Non-Organic Bonding This is an example of how polymers can be 're-formulated', here are two products, there may be others- Danase Wet Glaze - a pure gloss enhancer (i.e. non-abrasive and with a low solvent content); it’s formulated with acrylic polymers that form a covalent bond, its polymers allow it to bond with a wax or polymer sealant without any bonding issues Zaino Clear Seal (Z-CS) - is a polymer product that will bond to a wax or oil-based product, ZCS is just a clear glossy layer without much of a look of its own (but locks in the look underneath it) An extract from one of a series of in-depth detailing articles © TOGWT ™ Ltd Copyright 2002-2008, all rights reserved.
