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)