POLYMERS

OBJECTIVES:

TO DETERMINE THE PROPERTIES AND PROCESSING OF POLYMERS.

TO CLASSIFY POLYMERS

TO KNOW SOME OF THE APPLICATIONS OF POLYMERS

Polymers are very large molecules made when hundreds of monomers

(unit) join together to form long chains.
The word polymer comes from the words poly (meaning many) and mer
(meaning unit).
Polymers are made from large macromolecules produced by the joining of
smaller molecules,
called monomers, using addition or condensation polymerization reactions.
Plastics are materials that are based on polymeric compounds, and they
contain other
additives that improve their properties. Compared with most metals and
ceramics, plastics
have low strength, stiffness, and melting temperatures; however, they also
have low
density and good chemical resistance. Plastics are used in many diverse
technologies.
Polymer Polymers are materials made from giant (or macromolecular),
chain-like molecules having
average molecular weights from 10,000 to more than 1,000,000 g>mol built
by the joining of
many mers or units by chemical bonds. Polymers are usually, but not always,
carbon based.
Plastics are synthetic polymers that can be shaped by heat or pressure.
Plastics are materials that are composed principally of naturally occurring
and
modified or artificially made polymers often containing additives such as
fibers, fillers,
pigments, and the like that further enhance their properties. Plastics include
thermoplastics,
thermosets, and elastomers (natural or synthetic). In this book, we use the
terms plastic and polymers interchangeably.

Plastics are used in an amazing number of applications including clothing,

toys,
home appliances, structural and decorative items, coatings, paints,
adhesives, automobile
tires, biomedical materials, car bumpers and interiors, foams, and packaging.
Polymers based on structure can be:
Linear polymer or Branched polymer.
Linear polymer Any polymer in which molecules are in the form of
spaghetti-like chains.
Branched polymer Any polymer comprising chains that consist of a main
chain and secondary
chains that branch off from the main chain. There are primary polymer
chains and secondary offshoots of smaller chains that stem from these main
chains.
-Schematic showing linear and branched polymers. Note that branching can
occur in any type of
polymer (e.g., thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers). (a) Linear
unbranched polymer: notice chains are
not straight lines and not connected. Different polymer chains are shown
using different shades designed to
show clearly that each chain is not connected to another. (b) Linear branched
polymer: chains are not
connected; however, they have branches.

SYNTHETIC
-

Are synthesized in the laboratory

e.g.nylon, polyethylene, polystyrene

NATURAL
-

Are found in the nature

e.g..DNA, proteins, carbohydrates

POLYMERIZATION - The process by which small molecules consisting of one

unit (monomer) or a few units (oligomers) are chemically joined to create
these giant molecules.

Addition polymerization Process by which polymer chains are built up by

adding monomers
together without creating a byproduct.
The formation of the most common polymer, polyethylene (PE) from
ethylene molecules, is an example of addition or chain-growth
polymerization. Ethylene,a gas, is the monomer (single unit) and has the
formula C2H4. The two carbon atoms are joined by a double covalent bond.
Each carbon atom shares two of its electrons with the second carbon atom,
and two hydrogen atoms are bonded covalently to each of the carbon atoms.
In the presence of an appropriate combination of heat, pressure, and
catalysts, the double bond between the carbon atoms is broken and replaced
with a single covalent bond. The ends of the monomer are now free radicals;
each carbon atom has an unpaired electron that it may share with other free
radicals. Addition polymerization occurs because the original monomer
contains a double covalent bond between the carbon atoms.
Condensation polymerization A polymerization mechanism in which a
small molecule (e.g.,
water, methanol, etc.) forms as a byproduct. Polymer chains can also form by
condensation reactions, or step-growth polymerization, producing structures
and properties that resemble those of addition polymers. In condensation
polymerization, a relatively small molecule (such as water, ethanol,
methanol, etc.) is formed as a result of the polymerization reaction. This
mechanism may often involve different monomers as starting or precursor
molecules.
(BOOK)