ABSTRACT
Just as polymers abound in the world of organics, so do they abound in the world of inorganics. Inorganic polymers are the major components of soil, mountains, and sand. Inorganic polymers are also extensively employed as abrasives and cutting materials [diamond, boron carbide, silicon carbide (carborundum), aluminum oxide], fibers (fibrous glass, asbestos, boron fibers), coatings, flame retardants, building and construction materials (window glass, stone, Portland cement, brick, tiles), and lubricants and catalysts (zinc oxide, nickel oxide, carbon black, graphite, silica gel, alumina, aluminum silicate, chromium oxide, clays, titanium chloride).
