The Chemistry of the World Cup Football

Background

Brazuca, the World Cup football, consist of three main component parts: the covering

(the outermost layer), the lining, and the bladder. And in every parts, different types of

polymers are used.

Methodology

Covering• made of six polyurethane panels• may also have a polyurethane foam

layer underneath the covering• Cheaper footballs may use PVC

(polyvinyl chloride) instead of polyurethane for the coating

Synthesis of Polyurethane

Lining• These are present to improve the

bounce and strength of the ball• made from another class of

polymers, polyamides, more commonly referred to as nylon

Synthesis of Nylon 6

Bladder• the part of the football that holds the

air• butyl rubber, but it can also be made

from latex

Synthesis of Butyl Rubber

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization

Significance of the Topic

• To know different kinds of polymers• To know the compositions of some

polymers• To have more knowledge about

polymerization

Definition of Organic Terms• Polymer- is a large molecule, or

macromolecule, composed of many repeated subunits

• a long chain of carbon atoms, with two hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon atom

• Nylon- is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as aliphatic polyamides

References• http://www.compoundchem.com/

2014/06/12/the-chemistry-of-the-world-cup-football/

• http://pslc.ws/macrog/nysix.htm• http://www.pslc.ws/macrog/uresyn.htm• http://www.innovscience.com/

Polyisobutylene_and_Butyl_Rubber2.pdf