Property : Tangling or linking of very long molecular

chains Monomers
Polymer
(but all polymers are not plastic)

Production: Chemically modifying natural substances

or
Synthesized from inorganic & organic raw
materials
Polymerization

Degree of polymerization No of monomer units in a chain

103 to 105

All the same monomer

Different monomers

Monomers all same

type (A)
A+a+a+a
-A-a-a-a-

Monomers of two
different types A + B
A+ B + A+ B
-A-B-A-B-

eg poly(ethene)
polychloroethene
PVC

eg polyamides
polyesters

Polymers

Linear/branched polymers
Cross-linked polymers

Linear polymers long chain molecules

Monomers are joined together end to end.
Polyethylene polymerization of Ethylene
CH2 = CH2

- CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2-

Cross-linked polymers

Chains are connected by

transverse covalent bonds

Example : Vulcanized rubbers and thermosetting plastics

Classification of Polymers
Linear polymer - Any polymer in which
molecules are in the form of chains.
Thermoplastics - Linear or branched polymers in
which chains of molecules are not
interconnected to one another.
Thermosetting polymers - Polymers that are
heavily cross-linked to produce a strong three
dimensional network structure.
Elastomers - These are polymers
(thermoplastics or lightly cross-linked
thermosets) that have an elastic deformation >
200%.

Thermoplastics (80%)

No cross links between chains.

Weak attractive forces between chains broken by
warming.
Change shape - can be remoulded.
Weak forces reform in new shape when cold.

Thermosets

Extensive cross-linking formed by covalent

bonds.
Bonds prevent chains moving relative to
each other.

COMPARISON OF THE THREE POLYMER CATEGORIES

Comparison of the three polymer categories

Effect of Temperature on Thermoplastics

Degradation
temperature - The
temperature above
which a polymer
burns, chars, or
decomposes.
Glass temperature The temperature
range below which
the amorphous
polymer assumes a
rigid glassy
structure.

The effect of temperature on the modulus of

elasticity for an amorphous thermoplastic.

Thermoplastics Vs Thermosets

Important class of polymers

Types of polyolefins

Types of polyolefins

properties of a polymer depends on

Attractive forces between chains
(Chains able to slide
past each other)
flexible polymer .

More crystalline polymer

- stronger and less flexible.

Transparency

Thermal softening and brittleness

Melting point and mechanical strength

Some selective thermoplastics and glass temperatures

Thermosetting plastics - applications

Applications for Epoxides

(Thermosets)

Bonding and adhesives: Automotive and aircraft industries adhesive to

metals and composites.
Molding, casting and tooling: Molding compounds in electrical and electronic
industries, casting resins, potting resins. Prototype and master model tools.
Laminating and composites: Binders in fiber reinforced laminates and
composites. Laminates are used in printed wiring boards. Composite
applications include filament winding (high performance pipes in oil fields,
pressure vessels, tank and rocket motor housings), pultrusion, casting, and
molding (graphite composites for aerospace applications)
Building and construction: Flooring (seamless, self-leveling, or epoxy
terrazzo floors), repair of bridges and roads with glass and carbon fiber
wraps, concrete crack repair, coat reinforcing bars, binders for patios,
swimming pool decks, and soil around oil-well drills.
Protective coatings: maintenance coatings for industrial and marine, tank
linings, industrial floorings, beer and beverage can coatings, food cans,
appliance primers, hospital and laboratory furniture .