Republic of the Philippines

MARINDUQUE STATE COLLEGE

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Tanza, Boac, Marinduque

Lecture Course Material

NASC 1 - Chemistry for Engineers
1st Semester, A.Y. 2020-2021

CHEMISTRY OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS

Part II – Polymers

Polymers are large molecular compounds made up of repeating units called monomers; in essence, polymers are
made up of chains of monomers. They are also known as macromolecules since they have high molar masses.
Classified according to their source, they can either be natural (can be found in nature) or synthetic (man-made in a
laboratory or industrial setting).
 Republic of the Philippines
MARINDUQUE STATE COLLEGE
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Tanza, Boac, Marinduque

Polymers are made through the process of Polymerization. The basic types of polymerization reactions include
addition polymerization and condensation polymerization.

1. Addition Polymerization
This involves the three steps where the whole monomer structure is incorporated in the polymer

Step 1: Initiation
This process involves the production of free radicals by heating molecules. These free radicals
contain one reactive unpaired electron which reacts with the monomer. This causes the double bond to be
broken, forming another free radical.

Step 2: Propagation
The free radical from the monomer reacts with another monomer; this process is repeated and a long
chain of monomers is formed.

Step 3: Termination
The process is terminated once two radicals react with each other forming the polymer.
 Republic of the Philippines
MARINDUQUE STATE COLLEGE
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Tanza, Boac, Marinduque

2. Condensation Polymerization
This involves the condensation reaction, where monomers join together while losing water as a by-
product.
 Republic of the Philippines
MARINDUQUE STATE COLLEGE
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Tanza, Boac, Marinduque

POLYMER ARRANGEMENTS AND STRUCTURE

Polymers can either be isotactic, syndiotactic, or atactic.

Isotactic - Substituent groups are all on the same side of the chain and are tightly packed
Have high melting point, high crystallinity, and high mechanical strength

Syndiotactic - Substituent groups are on alternating sides of the polymer chain

Rubbery, not crystalline, and relatively weak

Atactic - Substituent groups follow a random arrangement

Isotactic and Syndiotactic polymers are made via industrial synthesis using special catalysts. Depending on the
synthesis conditions, the polymer chains can also be branched. Branched chains are more flexible and less dense
than straight chained polymers.
e.g. High density polyethylene (HDPE) polymers are used for firm plastic bottles and containers
Low density polyethylene (LDPE) polymers are used for plastic food bags and plastic wraps
 Republic of the Philippines
MARINDUQUE STATE COLLEGE
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Tanza, Boac, Marinduque

Polymers can also be cross-linked as in the case of vulcanized rubber. The isoprene polymer strands are cross-linked
by short sulfur chains as illustrated in the diagram.

When subjected to heat, the cross-linked polymer does not melt or break apart because the polymer strands are
bound together.

There are also instances where two different monomers are joined together to form a polymer; these are called
copolymers.

Above are the various arrangements of copolymers depending on the sequence of which the monomers are placed in
the chain.