POLYMER

I. INTRODUCTION
POLYMER –A useful chemical made of many
repeating units (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen,
sulfur, chlorine, fluorine, phosphorous, and silicon).
polymers are very large molecules made when Based on molecular structure
hundreds of monomers join together to form long
chains.  Thermoplastic - a material, usually a plastic
polymer, which becomes soft when heated
MONOMER - A type of molecule that has the ability
and hard when cooled.
to chemically bond with other molecules.
ex. polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropene
POLYMERIZATION - The process by which the and Teflon.
monometer molecules are linked to form a big  Thermosetting Polymers- Stronger than
polymer molecule is called “polymerization”. thermoplastic. The greater the degree of
cross-linking makes the polymer more rigid.
Such cross-linked polymers are called
thermosetting polymers.
ex. Bakelite and polyurethanes.
 Elastomers - a randomly oriented
amorphous polymer, which stretches and
then reverts back to its original shape.
ex. Rubber.
 Fibers - These are thread like polymers
which can be used as fabrics.
ex. cotton, wool, silk, nylon etc.

Based on structure Based on source:

 Linear - A linear polymer is represented by  Synthetic – human-made polymers.

a chain with two ends. polymers which are synthesized in the
 Cyclic - A cyclic polymer has no chain ends laboratory
and show properties that are entirely ex. nylon, polyethylene, polyester, Teflon,
different from their linear counterparts. and epoxy.
 Branched - Branched polymers have side  Natural – exist in living things in nature.
chains, or branches, of significant length ex. silk, wool, DNA, cellulose and proteins.
which are bonded to the main chain at
branch points, and are characterized in terms Brief History of polymers
of the number and size of the branches
 Network - Network polymer or cross-linked 1500’s – Mayan civilization is assumed to
polymer have three dimensional structures be the first to find the application of
in which each chain is connected to all polymers. (rubber)
others by a sequence of junction points and 1839 – Charles Goodyear discovers
other chains. But it does not contain any vulcanization.
main chain when compare with branched 1907 – Bakelite by leo bakeland.
polymer. 1917 – discovery of cellulose structure.
(Polymer unit cells contain of long chain
molecules rather than small molecular
species.)
1920 – polymerization by Staudinger.
1927 – Large production of Vinyl-chloride.
1930 – polystyrene is invented.
1938 – Nylon by Wallace Carothers.
1941 – Polyethylene is developed.
1970 – James economy develops ekonol.
 1971 – Stephanie Kwolek(37 patents) of reacting monomer together in a chemical reaction
invented Kevlar. to form three-dimensional networks or polymer
1976 – More Plastic than steel, aluminum chains. The structure of the repeated unit can vary
and copper combined. widely and depends on the raw materials that make
up the polymer.
II. STRUCTURE
The following variables can be controlled when
Engineering polymers include natural materials such
producing a polymer:
as rubber and synthetic materials such as plastics and
elastomers. Polymers are very useful materials
because their structures can be altered and tailored to  The monomer polymerized or the monomers
produce materials 1) with a range of mechanical copolymerized.
properties 2) in a wide spectrum of colors and 3) with
different transparent properties.  The reagent used to initiate the
polymerization reaction.
THE FOUR BASIC POLYMER STRUCTURE
 The identity and amount of the reagent used
to crosslink the polymer chains.

 The temperature and pressure at which the

polymerization occurs.

 Linear polymers resemble ‘spaghetti’ with

 The solvent in which the monomer is
long chains. Since these bonding types are
polymerized.
relatively easy to break with heat, linear
polymers are typically thermoplastic. Heat
breaks the bonds between the long chains  The way the polymer is collected, which can
allowing the chains to flow past each other, produce either a more or less random
allowing the material to be remolded. alignment of the polymer chains or a fabric
in which the chains are aligned in one
 Branched polymers resemble linear direction.
polymers with the addition of shorter chains
hanging from the spaghetti backbone. Since Changing one or more of these parameters
these shorter chains can interfere with can affect the properties because polymers are
efficient packing of the polymers, branched materials whose properties depend strongly on their
polymers tend to be less dense than similar processing history.
linear polymers.
 Cross-linked polymers resemble ladders. Polymers generally exhibit these properties:
The chains link from one backbone to
another. This much stronger bond makes Crystallinity - The extent to which the polymer
most cross-linked polymers thermosetting, chains are arranged in a regular structure instead of a
with only a few exceptions to the rule: cross- random fashion.
linked polymers that happen to break their Tensile strength - The force that must be applied in
crosslinks at relatively low temperatures. one direction to stretch the polymer until it breaks. In
general, the longer the chains of the polymer
 Networked polymers are complex polymers structure is, the stronger the polymer.
that are heavily linked to form a complex Elastic modulus - The force it takes to stretch the
network of three-dimensional linkages. plastic in one direction.
Thermal expansion - The extent to which the
III. PROPERTIES polymer expands or contracts when heated or cooled.
Flammability - Flammability is defined as how easily
A polymer is a large molecule composed of s smoothing will burn, ignite or combustion. The more
repeating units are called monomers. These subunits rigid the polymer is the lower the temperature it
are called monomers and are typically connected by needs to combust.
chemical covalent bonds. Polymerization is a process
Heat conductivity - The extent to which the plastic or Application: Sterilizable bottles, packaging film, TV
polymer acts as an effective insulator against the flow cabinets, luggage
of heat.
Permeability - The tendency of a polymer to pass 8. Polystyrene
extraneous materials. Application: Wall tile, battery cases, toys, indoor
Resilience - The ability of the plastic to resist lighting panels, appliance housings.
abrasion and wear.
Refractive index - The extent to which the plastic 9. Polyester (PET or PETE)
affects light as it passes through the polymer. Application: Magnetic recording tapes, clothing,
Electric conductivity - This refers to the ability of the automotive tire cords, beverage containers.
material to conduct or insulate electrical charges.
b) Thermo setting polymers
IV. APPLICATIONS
1. Epoxies
 Based on molecular power Application: Electrical moldings, sinks, adhesives,
a) Thermo plastics protective coatings, used with fiberglass laminates.

1. Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS): 2. Phenolics.

Application: Refrigerator lining, lawn and garden Application: Motor housing, telephones, auto
equipment, toys, highway safety devices. distributors, electrical fixtures.

2. Acrylics (poly-methyl-methacrylate) c) Elastomers

Application: Lenses, transparent aircraft enclosures, Application: Seals, rubber tires and tubes for
drafting equipment, outdoor signs vehicles, gloves

3. Fluorocarbons (PTFE or TFE)  Based on the different types of fields

Application: Anticorrosive seals, chemical pipes and Agricultural field: Mulching films, green house films
valves, bearings, anti-adhesive coatings, high are the best examples for the polymer films.
temperature electronic parts. Biodegradable polymers are generally used for this
purpose.
4. Polyamides (nylons)
Application: Bearings, gears, cams, bushings, Medical field: Syringes, capsules, medicine
handles, and jacketing for wires and cables packaging, urine bags etc are the examples.

5. Polycarbonates Transport field: car bumpers, wheel covers etc are

also made by the use of polymers.
Application: Safety helmets, lenses light globes, base
for photographic film
Electrical field: wire coating, switches etc.
6. Polyethylene
Household applications: Bowls, kitchen accessories
Application: Flexible bottles, toys, tumblers, battery are also made by the polymers
parts, ice trays, film wrapping materials.
7. Polypropylene