CHEG380: Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering

Lecture #1 General Introduction to Polymers

Fall 2013 Tuesday, August 27th, 2013 Dr. Saeed Alhassan

Importance of Polymers
Polymers are useful materials for plethora of applications and are found in every corner of our daily life Polymers are found in the following applications:
Eyeglass frames Upholstery Packaging Car parts Clothes TV displays CDs Films Tableware Silverware Adhesives Food industry Sports Tires Bottles Containers Safety helmets Valves and fittings Coatings Synthetic oils Additives Piping Toys Pharmaceutical

History of Polymers
The first thermoset was developed by Charles Goodyear when he vulcanized natural rubber with sulfur in 1839. The first plastic , cellulose nitrate was synthesized by Alexander Parkes in 1862. Cellulose (natural polymer) was mixed with nitric acid to produce cellulose nitrate John Wesley Hyatt improved on Parkess invention and duped it Celluloid, which was later used in photography and motion pictures and revolutionized the world of cinema. The first true synthetic polymer was developed in 1909 by Leo Baekland, which was synthesized from formaldehyde-phenol (called phenolics, trade name: Baeklite)

History of Polymers

History of Polymers

Definitions
Mer: one part Mono-mer: (mono=alone) is a simple molecular unit which can react to form polymer Di-mer (Di= two) is a small molecule made of two similar units Tri-mer (Tri= three) is a small molecule made of three similar units Tetra-mer (Tetra= four) is a small molecule made of four similar units Oliogo-mer: (oligo= few) is a molecule made of few similar units (usually 10-20) Poly-mer: (poly = many) A molecule of high relative molecular weight, the structure of which essentially comprises the multiple repetition of units derived from monomers (also known as Macromolecules) (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Gold Book p. 870 and 1151). Note: the repeating unit in polymers are usually linked through covalent bonds. Polymerization: a process to convert monomers into polymers Plastics: common name for synthetic polymers and used frequently in public domain

Polymer Classification
1) Natural vs. Synthetic: if available from natural source then it is natural. If made in the lab, then synthetic. Examples: Poly(styrene) is synthetic while Cellulose (polysaccharide) is natural polymer. 2) Thermoplastic vs. Thermoset: Thermoplastics are defined as the materials that can be formed repeatedly into any required shape by the use of heat. Thermosets are materials that cannot be reformed into other shapes by the use of heat after they have been formed. Example of thermoplastic polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate)etc. Examples of thermoset is epoxies, polyurethane, unsaturated polyesters..etc

Polymer Classification
3) Addition vs. condensation: if a polymer is synthesized from addition polymerization, then it is called addition polymer. If synthesized from condensation polymerization, then it is called condensation polymer. 4) Structure:
1. Linear, branched, crosslinkedetc 2. Homopolymer vs. copolymer 3. Amorphous vs semi-crystalline

Molecular Structure of Polymers

Majority of polymers are made of the following atoms in the backbone: 1) Carbon (forms 4 bonds) 2) Silicon (forms 4 bonds) 3) Nitrogen (forms 3 bonds) 4) Oxygen (forms 2 bonds) Carbon is the most common element in polymer because it form more than two bonds, which is necessary to produce polymer with varying chemistry since carbon can bond to four atoms. In addition, carbon has smaller atomic weight than silicon, and that makes more desirable as building blocks for polymers. In addition, carbon is more compatible for human usage.