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TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

363 P. Casal St., Quiapo, Manila

Linear, Branched and


Cross-linked Polymers

Marvin Brian J. Paras

Engr. Lina dela Cruz

December 1, 2017
A polymer is a general term for any molecule that is a long string of smaller repeating parts. In
manufacturing, polymers are often thought of as plastics because many artificial substances like plastic
are polymers derived from petroleum. However, there are many different polymers (both naturally
occurring and artificial) that are made of different parts. Often, the type of polymer chain that forms
determines the polymer's properties.

 Linear Polymers
The simplest polymer is a linear polymer. A linear polymer is simply a chain in which all
of the monomers exist in a single line. An example of a linear polymer is Teflon, which is made
from tetrafluoroethylene. It is a single strand of units made from two carbon atoms and four
fluorine atoms. When formed, these linear polymers can create strands of fibers or form a mesh
that can be very strong and hard to break through. Polymers are built up by the joining together,
through strong covalent bonds, of smaller molecular units known as monomers. When these
monomers are joined end-to-end like links along a chain, a polymer with a simple linear
structure is formed.

 Branched Polymers
Branched polymers occur when groups of units branch off from the long polymer chain.
These branches are known as side chains and can also be very long groups of repeating
structures. Branching polymers can be further categorized by how they branch off from the
main chain. Polymers with many branches are known as dendrimers, and these molecules can
form a webbing when cooled. This can make the polymer strong in the ideal temperature range.
However, when heated, both linear and branched polymers soften as the temperature vibration
overcomes the attractive forces between the molecules.

 Cross-linked Polymers
An additional type of polymer is known as the cross-linked polymer. This polymer forms
long chains, either branched or linear, that can form covalent bonds between the polymer
molecules. Because cross-linked polymers form covalent bonds that are much stronger than the
intermolecular forces that attract other polymer chains, the result is a stronger and more stable
material. An example of this is when natural rubber is vulcanized, which means it is heated so
the sulfur molecules in the rubber polymer chains form covalent bonds with each other. This
difference in strength is noticeable when you compare the stiffness, rigidity and durability of a
car tire with that of a rubber band.

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