Name

Chemical Structure
Commercial Name
Tg (oC)
Tm (oC)
Commercial Applications
5 condensation polymers
Poly(ethyl benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate)

Polyethylene terephthalate, PET, PETE

67-81
260
Plastic bottles for soft drinks, if thermoformed can be used in blister pack.

Poly[imino(1,6-dioxohexamethylene) iminohexamethylene]

Nylon 6,6

50
255
Used in fibers for textiles and carpets and molded parts, airbags.

Poly(oxy-1,4-butanediyloxycarbonyl-1,4-phenylenecarbonyl)

Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)

66
223
Plug connector in automotive construction, showerheads

Poly[oxy(1-oxo-1,2-ethanediyl)]

Polyglycolic acid (PGA)

35-40
225-230
Sutures for knotting, medical rings, pins, rods

Poly(tetramethylene succinate)

Polybutylene succinate
-30
115
Cosmetic packaging, biodegradable drug encapsulation systems
5 vinyl polymers
Poly(1-phenylethene)

Polystyrene

100
240
CD cases, foam

poly(methylene)

Polyethylene (PE)
-125
115-135
Film packaging, electrical insulations, containers

poly(1-chloroethylene)

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

82
100-260
Sewerage pipes, window and door frames

poly (1-acetyloxiethene)

Polyvinyl acetate

30
_
Adhesives for porous materials

Polyvinyl alcohol

Ethenol, Vinol
85
200
Thickener, modifier, in polyvinyl acetate glues, textile sizing agent
5 polymers synthesized by other routes
poly-L-lactide (ring-opening polymerization)

PLLA, polylactic acid

60-65
173-178
3D printing materials, injection molding

poly(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethylene) (free radical polymerization)

Syncolon, Fluon, Poly(tetrafluoroethene)

27
327
Wiring in aerospace and computer applications, industrial pipelines
poly(1acrylonitrile)
(free radical
polymerizati
on)
Polyacrylonitrile

95
322
hot gas filtration systems, fiber-reinforced concrete

(1,7)-polyoxepan-2-one (ring-opening polymerization)

Polycaprolactone

-60
60
Drug delivery device, part fabrication for bicycles

poly(ethylene oxide) (suspension polymerization)

Polyethylene glycol (PEG)

-70

65
short-term relief of chronic constipation, tablet binder, film coatings
5 naturally-occurring polymers
cellulose

_
Varied with the size of the polymer
260-270
Paper products, inactive filler in drugs tablets

Silk

Fibroin: central structure of silk. Silk consists of fibroin and serecin.

_
Depends on humidity
Up to 220
Clothing, spider silk can be used to make bulletproof vest

2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[(2R,3S,4R,5R,6S)-4,5,6-trihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-oxane3,4,5-triol

Starch
_
decomposes
Carbohydrate source, food additive, adhesives

Lignin

_
100-170
250-275
Cement and concrete, animal food pellets, pesticides.

Poly(n-acetyl-1,4-beta-D-glucopyranosamine)

Chitin
About 62
300
Fertilizer, additives to thicken and stabilize food.

Relationships between a- chemical structure and physical properties, and b physical properties and commercial
applications.
Melting temperature (Tm): The polymers contain hydrogen bonds in their structures usually have higher melting
temperature than those which do not contain hydrogen bond. The polymers with the presence of aromatic rings or
halogen substitution groups in their structures also pertain higher melting temperatures than those which do not
have aromatic rings. The C=O bond presence in polymers structures also heighten the melting temperature.
Branching also increases melting temperature of the polymers. On the other hand, the presence of C-O-C bond in
polymers structure lower the melting temperatures. Melting temperatures of polymers produced from the processes
mentioned above are in the range of 50-350oC despite of the molecular weight of the polymers. Polymers with high
melting temperature are used to make high heat sustained products such as industrial pipelines, containers,
concrete enhancement, etc. Polymers with low melting temperature are used in packaging, adhesives, additives,
drug encapsulation, medical pin, string, etc.
Glass transition temperature (Tg): bulky substituents such as aromatic rings limit rotational freedom of the
polymers and increase Tg. C-O-C bond and C=C bond decrease the backbone flexibility of the polymer while
aromatic rings in backbone cause chain stiffening. Both factors increases Tg. Branching also reduces backbone

flexibility and heightens Tg. More polar groups lead to higher Tg because of increased dipole-dipole interaction.
Hydrogen bonding will also decrease rotational freedom and thereby increase Tg, which accounts for high Tg of PVA
compared to PP. Disubstituted monomers have lower barrier to rotation than analogous mono-substituted
monomer which results higher Tg. Polymers with high glass transition temperature are often used for containers,
pipes, concrete ingredients which require high durability and sustainability. Polymers with low glass transition
temperature are often used for degradable products such as medical device, drug delivery device, drug additives,
etc.