Other uses of the crystals:
- water and sewerage treatment plants use it to trap and suspend solid particles to make the solids easier to remove
- soil conditioning
- ore processing
- paper and textile plants
- manufacturing of dyes, adhesives and permanent press fabrics
How do you use crystal polymer water crystals?
One ounce of dry crystal polymer will absorb a full gallon of water. You can use the gels for your insect colony, potted plants, your lawn, vegetable gardens and your terrariums. Colored water crystals can be a decorative addition to your terrariums and fish tanks.
What are water crystals used for?
Our water crystal polymers are a necessity when it comes to breeding small insects. The use of our water crystals is endless. The hydrated crystals provide a safe and clean watering source for your insects. The crystals help maintain the proper moisture levels. The water crystals are used to make water gel for your feeders.
What can you do with polymers?
We have the perfect polymers for making water crystals, for soil, gardening and numerous craft projects.
What are polymer crystals?
Polymer crystals gel very similar to a gelatin dessert. One of their major uses is by the disposable diaper manufacturers, where they are referred to as super absorbent polymers. The polymers allow for thinner and lighter disposable diapers.
How do you use water polymer crystals?
0:092:14Using Water Crystals For Your Plants - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'm going to take one little scoop pop it into the glass stir. It around. So just keep stirring itMoreI'm going to take one little scoop pop it into the glass stir. It around. So just keep stirring it for about 20 seconds. Look at it's changing its viscosity already.
How long do polymer crystals last?
They're made of a non-toxic polymer that absorbs many times its own weight in water. And they can last a long time. In gardening, they're mixed with soil to increase the moisture content and work for up to six years.
What are polymer water crystals?
Water crystals are tiny super-absorbent polymers (a long chain that's made up of identical repeating molecules), about the size of a sugar crystal. They are added to potting mix or added to soil in a garden bed to increase the water holding capacity of the soil.
How are polymer crystals made?
Crystallinity is usually induced by cooling a melt or a dilute solution below its melting point. The later can result in the growth of single crystals. Crystallization can also be induced by stretching a polymer. In this case, crystallization is caused by molecular orientation in the stretch direction.
Are polymer crystals toxic?
They're non toxic and safe, and they help to keep nappies thinner, so there's less landfill.
Are water storing crystals toxic?
To date, there is not any report that has shown the toxic effects of water storing crystals on plants, soil, or animals.
Is polymer good for plants?
Polymer Gels reduce the frequency with which plants must be watered, providing a safety net for those times we forget to water or rainfall is scarce. These products help assure a more consistent water supply which promotes a larger root system and improves plant health.
What crystals are good for water signs?
The dreamy, intuitive water sign is perfectly matched to aquamarine, a stone that supports their deep emotions. It brings joy and harmony to their relationships and allows for honest conversations.
Do water crystals for plants work?
To conclude, water-absorbing crystals are useful, and safe options to provide your indoor plants the water they need during hot and dry periods. I do recommend them, especially if you cannot water your plants frequently or you leave in a location with long-lasting hot and dry summer days.
What are polymer single crystals?
Polymer single crystals (PSCs), with their uniform thickness, are a special kind of ultra-thin films in metastable states [[1], [2]].
What absorbs water quickly?
Materials that absorb water include; sponge, napkin, paper towel, face cloth, sock, paper, cotton balls. Materials that don't absorb water include; Styrofoam, zip lock bag, wax paper, aluminum foil, sandwich wrap.
Can you use water crystals on a lawn?
Polymer crystals, when moistened, absorb water and expand to many times their original size. The polymer crystals then slowly release the water into the soil, preventing it from drying out. These crystals work well for plants in garden beds and grass in lawns.
What happens to a polymer as it becomes more crystalline?
The more crystalline a polymer, the more regularly aligned its chains. Increasing the degree of crystallinity increases hardness and density.
What makes a polymer more likely to crystallize?
Structural Regularity. To crystallize a polymer chain must be linear, although limited crystallization can take place if a small number of branches are present. Crystallization is favored by a regular arrangement along the polymer chain giving the structure a high degree of symmetry.
What are polymer single crystals?
Polymer single crystals (PSCs), with their uniform thickness, are a special kind of ultra-thin films in metastable states [[1], [2]].
How can a polymeric crystal be grown?
Polymers can crystallize upon cooling from melting, mechanical stretching or solvent evaporation. Crystallization affects optical, mechanical, thermal and chemical properties of the polymer.
What is a polymer crystal?
Polymer crystals, when moistened, absorb water and expand to many times their original size. The polymer crystals then slowly release the water into the soil, preventing it from drying out. These crystals work well for plants in garden beds and grass in lawns.
How to use polymer crystals for houseplants?
To use the crystals in a 6-inch container, mix 1/2 teaspoon of dry crystals into the bottom one-third of the soil in the pot. Water the plant at least two times in three hours to fully hydrate the crystals. Always bury polymer crystals in the soil; never leave them exposed to the sun.
How much polymer to use for a hole?
Take 1/2 cup of the hydrated polymer crystals from the bucket and pour it into the hole. Double the application to 1 cup in very dry or hot areas.
How much water does a tree crystal store?
Water the tree or shrub deeply until the soil feels moist. This allows the polymer crystals to absorb and store the water. For example, 5 ounces of crystals store 5 gallons of water.
What is crystallization of polymers?
Crystallization of polymers is a process associated with partial alignment of their molecular chains. These chains fold together and form ordered regions called lamellae, which compose larger spheroidal structures named spherulites. Polymers can crystallize upon cooling from melting, mechanical stretching or solvent evaporation. Crystallization affects optical, mechanical, thermal and chemical properties of the polymer. The degree of crystallinity is estimated by different analytical methods and it typically ranges between 10 and 80%, with crystallized polymers often called "semi-crystalline". The properties of semi-crystalline polymers are determined not only by the degree of crystallinity, but also by the size and orientation of the molecular chains.
How does crystallization affect a polymer?
Polymers can crystallize upon cooling from melting, mechanical stretching or solvent evaporation. Crystallization affects optical, mechanical, thermal and chemical properties of the polymer. The degree of crystallinity is estimated by different analytical methods and it typically ranges between 10 and 80%, with crystallized polymers often called ...
Why are crystalline polymers opaque?
Crystalline polymers are usually opaque because of light scattering on the numerous boundaries between the crystalline and amorphous regions. The density of such boundaries is lower and consequentially, the transparency is higher - either for low (amorphous polymer) or high (crystalline) degree of crystallinity.
Why are amorphous polymers hard?
Below their glass transition temperature, amorphous polymers are usually hard and brittle because of the low mobility of their molecules. Increasing the temperature induces molecular motion resulting in the typical rubber-elastic properties. A constant force applied to a polymer at temperatures above T g results in a viscoelastic deformation, i.e., the polymer begins to creep. Heat resistance is usually given for amorphous polymers just below the glass transition temperature.
How does crystal growth occur?
Crystal growth is achieved by the further addition of folded polymer chain segments and only occurs for temperatures below the melting temperature T m and above the glass transition temperature T g. Higher temperatures destroy the molecular arrangement and below the glass transition temperature, the movement of molecular chains is frozen. Nevertheless, secondary crystallization can proceed even below T g, in the time scale of months and years. This process affects mechanical properties of the polymers and decreases their volume because of a more compact packing of aligned polymer chains.
What is polymer made of?
Solidification from the melt. Polymers are composed of long molecular chains which form irregular, entangled coils in the melt. Some polymers retain such a disordered structure upon freezing and readily convert into amorphous solids.
What is crystallization by stretching?
Crystallization by stretching. The arrangement of the molecule chains upon crystallization by stretching. The above mechanism considered crystallization from the melt, which is important for injection molding of plastic components. Another type of crystallization occurs upon extrusion used in making fibers and films.
What are polymer crystals?
Polymer moisture crystals are like magical little garden helpers. They mop up little puddles of water around roots so plants don't drown. They release the water back to the roots as the surrounding soil dries out, keeping plants from wilting between waterings or rainfalls.
Why are polymer moisture crystals important?
They then release the water slowly back to the soil, keeping it evenly moist between waterings. Good drainage is still important, but by absorbing excess water the crystals help guard against the "wet feet" that make many plants unhappy. Polymer moisture crystals are a boon to container gardeners.
How to use moisture crystals for lawn?
When I plant creeping thyme along the edge of a bed or a walkway, I scratch a sprinkling of moisture crystals into the soil around the plants . The extra moisture held by the crystals encourages runners to root and form new plants for additional coverage. If you're putting in a new lawn, adding polymer moisture crystals before broadcasting seed or laying sod will provide an extra moisture boost for the first few years and get your new turf off to a great start. Be sure to water long and deeply, so water gets down to the roots and so the crystals have a chance to soak up some extra moisture.
How long do polymer moisture crystals last?
If you price them by weight or volume, they seem expensive, but a little bit goes a very long way. They take about 3 years to break down, so they'll last a while in your garden, too. Polymer moisture crystals look like coarse salt crystals. They absorb up to 300 times their own weight in water, until they look like little cubes of jello ...
Can you use polymer moisture crystals in potting mix?
Polymer moisture crystals are a boon to container gardeners. Without moisture crystals added to my potting mix, I could water containers on my sunny deck twice a day, and I'd still have drooping, thirsty plants. By using the crystals, I can even skip a day once in a while, especially if it's not really hot outside.
Can you add too many crystals to a pot?
More is not better ! Adding too many crystals to a pot can result in plants heaving right out of the container as the crystals swell with water. Add enough of them, and after a good rain you'll see a "snowfall" of jello cubes spilling from your containers out across your patio.
Can you put polymer moisture crystals in coffee grinder?
I add polymer moisture crystals to my potting mix for starting seeds or propagating cuttings, where keeping an even moisture level can be crucial. A smaller size crystal is nice for shallow seedling trays, and you can break the crystals down to a finer texture by putting them in a propeller-type coffee grinder. Sifting afterwards to remove any finely powdered crystals is helpful.
How to shrink polymer crystals?
As an extension to this project, take the now jelly-like polymer crystals and spread them out on a piece of wax paper. Using a ruler, measure and record the size of the crystals. Allow the crystals to sit in the sunlight for several days. As the polymer sits in the warm sunlight, the liquid will evaporate, and the crystals will shrink. After several days, measure and record the size of the polymer crystals. Were there any differences in the rate and size of crystal shrinkage between the different liquids that they were in?
How to grow crystals in water?
Using a measuring cup pour 4 ounces of orange juice, vegetable oil, milk, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, club soda, and distilled water into clear plastic cups. Place one or two crystals in each liquid. The crystals will begin to grow immediately. Observe what happens to the crystals after 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 1 ½ hours.
What is hydrogel crystal?
A hydrogel crystal (sometimes called a " disappearing crystal ," "w ater crystal ," or "s uperabsorbent gel ,") is a long chain of molecules bonded together to form a superabsorbent polymer that does not dissolve, but forms a gel when placed in water. It is often used in gardening, landscaping, and farming as a way of retaining moisture.
What is a liquid crystal polymer?
A unique class of partially crystalline aromatic polyesters based on p-hydroxybenzoic acid and related monomers, liquid-crystal polymers are capable of forming regions of highly ordered structure while in the liquid phase. However, the degree of order is somewhat less than that of a regular solid crystal. Typically, LCPs have a high mechanical strength at high temperatures, extreme chemical resistance, inherent flame retardancy, and good weatherability. Liquid-crystal polymers come in a variety of forms from sinterable high temperature to injection moldable compounds. LCPs can be welded, though the lines created by welding are a weak point in the resulting product. LCPs have a high Z-axis coefficient of thermal expansion .
Why do lyotropic main chain polymers form liquid crystals?
This kind of LCPs forms liquid crystals due to their rigid chain conformation but not only the aggregation of mesogen cores. Because of the rigid structure, strong solvent is needed to dissolve the lyotropic main chain polymers. When the concentration of the polymers reaches critical concentration, the mesophases begin to form and the viscosity of the polymer solution begins to decrease. Lyotropic main chain LCPs have been mainly used to generate high-strength fibers such as Kevlar.
How does liquid crystallinity occur?
Liquid crystallinity in polymers may occur either by dissolving a polymer in a solvent ( lyotropic liquid-crystal polymers) or by heating a polymer above its glass or melting transition point ( thermotropic liquid-crystal polymers). Liquid-crystal polymers are present in melted/liquid or solid form. In solid form the main example of lyotropic LCPs ...
What are LCPs used for?
Because of their various properties, LCPs are useful for electrical and mechanical parts, food containers, and any other applications requiring chemical inertness and high strength. LCP is particularly good for microwave frequency electronics due to low relative dielectric constants, low dissipation factors, and commercial availability of laminates. Packaging microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) is another area that LCP has recently gained more attention. The superior properties of LCPs make them especially suitable for automotive ignition system components, heater plug connectors, lamp sockets, transmission system components, pump components, coil forms and sunlight sensors and sensors for car safety belts. LCPs are also well-suited for computer fans, where their high tensile strength and rigidity enable tighter design tolerances, higher performance, and less noise, albeit at a significantly higher cost.
Do liquid crystals have different mesophases?
Same as the small molecular liquid crystal, liquid crystal polymers also have different mesophases. The mesogen cores of the polymers will aggregate into different mesophases: Nematics (N), Cholesterics (Ch), Smectics (S), compounds with highly plar end groups. More information about the mesophases can be found on liquid crystal page.
Can LCPs be welded?
Liquid-crystal polymers come in a variety of forms from sinterable high temperature to injection moldable compounds. LCPs can be welded, though the lines created by welding are a weak point in the resulting product. LCPs have a high Z-axis coefficient of thermal expansion . LCPs are exceptionally inert.
Overview
Crystallization mechanisms
Polymers are composed of long molecular chains which form irregular, entangled coils in the melt. Some polymers retain such a disordered structure upon freezing and readily convert into amorphous solids. In other polymers, the chains rearrange upon freezing and form partly ordered regions with a typical size of the order 1 micrometer. Although it would be energetically favorable fo…
Degree of crystallinity
The fraction of the ordered molecules in polymer is characterized by the degree of crystallinity, which typically ranges between 10% and 80%. Higher values are only achieved in materials having small molecules, which are usually brittle, or in samples stored for long time at temperatures just under the melting point. The latter procedure is costly and is applied only in special cases.
Most methods of evaluating the degree of crystallinity assume a mixture of perfect crystalline a…
Properties of semicrystalline polymers
Below their glass transition temperature, amorphous polymers are usually hard and brittle because of the low mobility of their molecules. Increasing the temperature induces molecular motion resulting in the typical rubber-elastic properties. A constant force applied to a polymer at temperatures above Tg results in a viscoelastic deformation, i.e., the polymer begins to creep. Heat resistance is usually given for amorphous polymers just below the glass transition temperature.
See also
• Liquid crystal polymer
• Modeling of polymer crystals