POLYMERS

What is Polymer?
Ø A word Polymer is a combination of two Greek words,
“Poly” which means "many” and “Meros” meaning “Parts or
Units”

Ø Polymer is a large molecule constructed from smaller

structural units called monomers, covalently bonded
together in any conceivable pattern A polymer is analogous
to a necklace made from many small beads.

Ø Another common name for many synthetic polymers is

plastic which comes from the Greek word “plastikos”,
suitable for molding or shaping. Many objects in daily use
from packing, wrapping and building materials include half
of all polymers synthesized.
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE

Physical characteristics of a polymer depend

on its

u molecular weight
u shape
u differences
in the structure of the
molecular chains
CLASSIFICATION OF POLYMER

u Based on source
u Based on structure
u Based on Polymerization
u Basedon its reaction upon exposure to
elevated temperature
CLASSIFICATION OF POLYMER BASED ON
SOURCE
u Natural Polymer - occur in nature and can be extracted.
They are often water-based. Examples of naturally
occurring polymers are silk, wool, DNA, cellulose and
proteins.

u Semi Synthetic Polymers - Semi synthetic polymers are

derived from naturally occurring polymers by chemical
modifications. Examples: Vulcanized rubber

u Synthetic Polymer - derived from petroleum oil, and

made by scientists and engineers.
CLASSIFICATION OF POLYMER BASED ON
STRUCTURE

u Linear Polymer
u Branched Chain
u Cross linked
u Network Polymers
LINER POLYMER

u Linear Polymers are those in which the

repeat units are joined together end to end
in single chains. these long chains are
flexible and may be thought of as a mass of
spaghetti
u Some of the common polymers that form
with linear structures are polyethylene,
poly(vinyl chloride), polystyrene,
poly(methyl methacrylate), nylon, and the
fluorocarbons.
BRANCHED POLYMERS
u A branched polymer is formed when there are
"side chains" attached to a main chain. A simple
example of a branched polymer is shown in the
following diagram.
u The chain packing efficiency is reduced with the
formation of side branches, which results in a
lowering of the polymer density.

u For example, high density polyethylene (HDPE) is

primarily a linear polymer, while low density
polyethylene (LDPE) contains short chain branches
CROSSLINKED POLYMERS
u Occurs if adjacent linear chains are joined one to
another at various positions by covalent bonds

u The process of crosslinking is achieved either during

synthesis or by a nonreversible chemical reaction.

u Often, this crosslinking is accomplished by additive

atoms or molecules that are covalently bonded to the
chains.

u Many of the rubber elastic materials are crosslinked,

in rubbers, this is called vulcanization.
NETWORK POLYMER
u Multifunctional monomers forming three or more
active covalent bonds, make three-dimensional
networks
u a polymer that is highly crosslinked may also be
classified as a network polymer.
u These materials have distinctive mechanical and
thermal properties
u epoxies, polyurethanes, and phenol-formaldehyde
belong to this group.
POLYMERIZATION

u Polymerization, any process in which relatively small

molecules, called monomers, combine chemically to
produce a very large chainlike or network molecule,
called a polymer.
u The monomer molecules may be all alike, or they may
represent two, three, or more different compounds.
Usually at least 100 monomer molecules must be
combined to make a product that has certain unique
physical properties—such as elasticity, high tensile
strength, or the ability to form
BASED ON MODE POLYMERIZATION
u Addition Polymers are formed when monomer units are
separately added to form long chains without elimination of
any by-product molecules. These polymers are formed by
reactions between monomer molecules possessing multiple
bonds.
Example: Ethylene undergoes polymerization to form
polythene.

u In this type of polymers monomers are unsaturated

hydrocarbons.
BASED ON MODE POLYMERIZATION

u Condensation polymers are formed when the

monomers containing active functional groups
(generally two), which react together with the
elimination of a small molecule like water,
ammonia, alcohol etc.
Examples: Nylon-66, polyester, bakelite etc.
CLASSIFICATION UPON EXPOSURE TO
ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

u Thermoplastic

u Thermosetting plastic
THERMOPLASTIC
u Soften when heated (and eventually liquefy) and
hardened when cooled

u Process that are totally reversible and may be

repeated

u On a molecular level, as the temperature is

raised, secondary bonding forces are diminished
(by increased molecular motion) so that the
relative movement of adjacent chains is
facilitated when stress is applied
THERMOPLASTIC

u Most linear polymers and those having

some branched structures with flexible
chains are thermoplastic.

u Thesematerials are normally fabricated by

simultaneous application of heat and
pressure
THERMOPLASTICS
 THERMOSETTING PLASTIC
u also known as a thermoset

u Becomes permanently hard during their formation and do

not soften upon heating

u Network polymers are thermoset

u During heat treatment, these bonds anchor the chains

together to resist the vibrational and rotational motions
at high temperatures, thus these materials do not soften
when heated
THERMOSETTING PLASTIC

u Generally harder and stronger than thermoplastics

u better dimensional stability

THERMOSETTING PLASTIC
PROPERTIES

u Good corrosion resistance

u Good mold ability
u Excellent surface finish can be
obtained
u Can be produced transparent or in
different colors
POLYMER RESIN IDENTIFICATION CODE
u often abbreviated as the RIC, is a set of symbols
appearing on plastic products that identify the plastic
resin out of which the product is made.

u RIC system was designed to make it easier for workers in

Materials Recovery and Recycling facilities to sort and
separate items according to their resin type.

u In its original form, the symbols used as part of the RIC

consisted of arrows that cycle clockwise to form a triangle
that encloses a number. The number broadly refers to the
type of plastic used in the product.
POLYMER RESIN IDENTIFICATION CODE
POLYMER RESIN IDENTIFICATION CODE
POLYMER RESIN IDENTIFICATION CODE
POLYMER RESIN IDENTIFICATION CODE
- END OF DISCUSSION-
SW

uHow would you address

plastic or polymeric
waste?