POLYMERS

What is polymer?
 ‘Poly’ means many and ‘mer’ means unit.
 It is a large molecule composed of many repeated subunits, known as momonome.
THEY ARE CLASSIFIED BASED ON:
1. Source of availability (Natural Polymer & Synthetic Polymers)
2. Structure (Linear, Branched, Cross-linked & Network Polymer)
3. Molecular forces (Thermoplastic, Thermosetting, Elastomers & Fibers)
4. Mode of synthesis (Addition & Condensation Polymers)

1. SOURCE OF AVAILABILITY

NATURAL POLYMER
 are derived from plants and animals that have been used by humans.
 Ex: Protein, Carbohydrates, Wood, Cotton, Silk, Nucleic Acid, Leather, Natural Rubber.

SYNTHETIC POLYMER
 Polymers that are made by chemical processes in laboratories.
 Ex: Nylon, Polyester, Polyethylene

2. MOLECULAR FORCES

THERMOPLASTIC
 are the polymers which soften on heating and harden on cooling reversibly and it is easier to mold into complex
shapes.
THERMOSETTING
 are the polymers which undergo permanent change on heating (irreversible).
ELASTOMERS
 are rubber-like solid polymers, that are elastic in nature.
FIBERS
 these are a class of polymers which are a thread like in nature, and can easily be woven.

3. MODE OF SYNTHESIS

 This is also called MODE OF POLYMERIZATION

ADDITION POLYMER
 a polymer that formed by direct addition of repeated monomer w/out elimination of by product molecules.
CONDENSATION POLYMER
 These polymers are formed by the combination of monomers, with the elimination of small molecules like water,
alcohol etc.

PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS
  Heat capacity/ Heat conductivity
 Thermal expansion
 Crystallinity
 Permeability
 Elastic modulus
 Tensile strength
 Resilience
 Refractive index
 Resistance to electric current

Plastics generally have:

 Resistance to corrosion and chemicals
 Low electrical and thermal conductivity
 Color available in a wide variety and transparent
 Resistance to shock
 Good durability
 Low cost
 Easy to manufacture
 Resistant to water
 Low toxicity

POLYMER STRUCTURES

1. LINEAR POLYMER
 Monomer are linked together to form one-dimensional chains.
 They flow easily when heated and can be molded into variety of shapes.
 Some polymers that form linear structures arare.
 Polyethylene (most common plastics)
 Polystyren
 Macromolecule made out of many monomer units arranged in a straight line
 Covalent bond
 Consist of side groups called pendant

TACTICITY IN POLYMER

 Isotactic Polymer – the pendant groups are on the same side of the chain.
 Syndiotactic Polymer – have their pendant group on the alternating patterns.
 Atactic Polymer – pendant groups in random manner.

 Homopolymer – same monomer

 Copolymer – different monomer
 Alternating Copolymer (Regular Alternating Pattern)
 Periodic Copolymer (arrange in repeating sequence)

2. BRANCHED POLYMER
 Here, the monomer units are joined to form long chains with side chains or branches.
 Tend to be less dense than similar linear polymers.
 Example of this are:
Glycogen
Starch
 Amino acids and Polysaccharides

3. CROSS-LINKED POLYMER
 Here, the monomer units are cross linked together to form a three dimensional Network.
 Example of this are:
Bakelite (buttons)
Melamine formaldehyde (cabinets)
Resin polystyrene-butadiene
(rubber bands)

4. NETWORK POLYMERS
 Multifunctional monomers forming three or more active covalent bonds, make three-dimensional networks figure.
 These materials have distinctive mechanical and thermal properties.
 Example
Thermoset polymers
5. HDPE, LDPE
 High Density Polyethylene
 Low Density Polyethylene

OTHER POLYMERS
 Polyvinylchloride
 Hexamethyl Diamine and Adipic Acid (Nylon)

POLYMER APPLICATION AND USES

POLY ETHYLENE
 Most common plastic
 Its primary use is in packaging
 Melting Point: 115-135˚C
 Chemical Formula: (C2H4)n

PACKAGING

POLY PROPYLENE
 A thermoplastic polymer
used in a wide variety of applications
including:
Packaging and Labeling
Textiles
Plastic parts
Reusable containers
Stationery
 Melting Point: 130˚C
  Chemical Formula: (C3H6)n

POLY VINYL CHLORIDE

 The third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polyme
 Commonly abbreviated PVC
 Melting Point: 100 - 260˚C
 Chemical Formula: (C2H3Cl)n

POLY LACTIC ACID (PLA)

 Is a rigid thermoplastic polymer and highly versatile thermoplastic material
 made from 100% natural resources
 It is up to 7 times recyclable

OTHER APPLICATION AND USES OF POLYMERS

 MEDICAL
 RECREATIONAL
 AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURE
-Variety of plastics are used in the manufacture of automobiles, trucks and even airplanes.
 ELECTRONIC DEVICES
- The wires of most electronic devices are encased in some type of plastics.
 AROUND THE HOUSE