PHY 351(MATERIALS SCIENCE)

TUTORIAL 7:
POLYMERS

JUNE 2018
Distinguish between thermoplastic and thermoset with an example for each.

JANUARY 2018
Classify three types of polymer with its general structure.

MARCH 2017
Give five examples of polymeric materials.

OCTOBER 2016
Determine the degree of polymerization for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyvinyl acetate (PVA)
respectively, in a copolymer having a molecular weight of 9500 g/mol.
(The molecular weight of the PVC mer is 62.5 g/mol and that of the PVA mer is 86 g/mol)
(Ans: PVA = 110.5, PVC = 152)

MARCH 2016

a) Figure 3 shows accompanying structure P1 (dotted line) is poly (vinyl acetate) and P2 (solid
line) is polystyrene. Name the chemical of the structure (i), (ii), and (iii) and identified
structure has the ability to become thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer.

Figure 3

PHY 351 – MATERIALS SCIENCE

Mazlini Binti Mazlan (mazlini4290@perak.uitm.edu.my)
 PHY 351(MATERIALS SCIENCE)

SEPTEMBER 2015
a) Define polymerization

b) Differentiate between thermoplastic and thermoset with an example for each.

c) Calculate the degree of polymerization of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), C6F12 which has a

molecular weight of 10,000 amu.
Molecular mass for carbon, C = 12 g/mol
Molecular mass for florin, F = 19 g/mol
(Ans: 33.3 mers/mol)
MARCH 2015
a) Distinguish between thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers.

b) Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a linear polyethylene that has unique
and desirable combination of properties. Give five (5) extraordinary characteristics of this
advanced polymeric material.

SEPTEMBER 2014
a) Define polymerization.
b) Explain briefly the following process during polymerization.
i) Addition
ii) Condensation
c) State two advantages adding plasticizer in polymerization process.

MARCH 2014
a) Distinguish between thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers when given heat.

b) State and illustrate three molecular structures of polymer.

c) Calculate the degree of polymerization of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (C2H3Cl) with an average
molecular weight of 21150 g/mol. The atomic weight of carbon, hydrogen and chlorine are
12.00 g/mol, 1.00 g/mol, and 35.45 g/mol respectively.

SEPTEMBER 2013
a) Plastic and elastomers are two industrially important polymeric materials. Define briefly and
give an example for each of the following polymers:

i) Thermoplastics.
ii) Thermosetting plastics.

PHY 351 – MATERIALS SCIENCE

Mazlini Binti Mazlan (mazlini4290@perak.uitm.edu.my)
 PHY 351(MATERIALS SCIENCE)

b) Sketch the following molecular structures:

i) Linear polymer
ii) Branched polymer
iii) Cross-link polymer
iv) Network polymer

MARCH 2013
a) Distinguish between a homopolymer and copolymer.

b) There are four (4) different types of copolymer. List and draw any two type of copolymers by
using fill and open circles for their mer.

c) Explain briefly polymerization by :

i) Addition
ii) Condensation

OCTOBER 2012
a) What are polymers?
b) How are polymers classified with regard to their behavior at elevated temperature?
c) What do you understand by viscoelastic mechanical behavior of polymers?

MARCH 2011
a) Polymer can be classified into three types. List all type of polymers and give one example for
each of them.

b) Briefly explain the polymerization process.

c) A 1 g nylon 66 polymer is reinforced with 33 wt% glass fiber. Calculate the density of this
engineering polymer. (Given the density of a nylon 66 polymer = 1.14 x 106 g/m3, and the
density of the reinforcing glass = 2.54 x 6 g/m3).

PHY 351 – MATERIALS SCIENCE

Mazlini Binti Mazlan (mazlini4290@perak.uitm.edu.my)