Polymers

Introduction to
Polymers
Poly = many, mer = unit, many units
Polymer science is relatively a new
branch of science . It deals with
chemistry physics and mechanical
properties of macromolecule .

A polymer is a large molecule which

is formed by repeated linking of the
small molecules called monomers.

OR

polymer is organic substance made

up of many repeating units or building
blocks of molecules called mers.

POLYMER
Combine, many monomers to create a
polymer.
Polymer is often used as a synonym for
plastic.
All plastic are polymers, but not all polymers
are plastics.
Poly mers
mer

Many Units

are made up of many

Mono

One

Unit

Monomer molecules joined in units of

long polymer.

It consist of large no. of repeating units

known as monomers

The no. of repeating units in a chain

of polymer is known as degree of
polymerization

POLYMER
POLYMER
aa family
family of
of natural
natural and
and synthetic
synthetic materials
materials made
made of
of
repetition
repetition of
of high
high weight
weight molecules
molecules in
in aa form
form of
of flexible
flexible
chain
chain
NATURAL POLYMER

Collagen

Gelatin

Silk

Wool

Natural rubber

DNA

SYNTHETIC POLYMER

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Low Density Polyethylene (LPDE)

Polypropylene (PP)

Polystyrene (PS)

Examples Of Polymers
Polypropylene (PP) - Carpet, upholstery
Polyethylene low density (LDPE) - Grocery bags
Polyethylene high density (HDPE) - Detergent bottles, toys
Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) - Piping, decking
Polystyrene (PS) - Toys, foam
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon) - non-stick pans, electrical insulation
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA, Lucite, Plexiglas) - Face shields,
skylights
Poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) - Paints, adhesives
Polychloroprene (cis + trans) (Neoprene) - Wetsuits

Characteristics of Polymers

Low Density.
Low coefficient of friction.
Good corrosion resistance.
Good mould ability.
Excellent surface finish can be obtained.
Can be produced with close dimensional tolerances.
Economical.
Poor tensile strength.
Low mechanical properties.
Poor temperature resistance.
Can be produced transparent or in different colours.

Properties of Polymers
The physical properties of a polymer, such as its strength
and flexibility depend on:

Chain length - in general, the longer the chains the stronger the
polymer;
Side groups - polar side groups give stronger attraction between
polymer chains, making the polymer stronger;
Branching - straight, un branched chains can pack together more
closely than highly branched chains, giving polymers that are
more crystalline and therefore stronger;
Cross-linking - if polymer chains are linked together extensively
by covalent bonds, the polymer is harder and more difficult to
melt.

Properties of Polymers
Reflective
Impact resistant
Tough
Brittle
Translucent
Malleable
Soft
Elastic
Inelastic
Insulative

Classificat
ion of
Polymer is
based on

source
structure
Polymerization
Molecular force

Classification
based on
Source
Natural
polymers

Semisynthesis
polymers

Synthesis
polymers

Natural polymers
The definition of a natural polymer is a polymer that
results from only raw materials that are found in
nature.
Example: Proteins,
Cellulose,
Starch,
Rubber.

Semi-synthesis polymers
chemically treated polymers of natural origin are
quite common and of great practical importance
Cellulose, for example, is used in two different ways:
it is dissolved using some special solvent and
precipitated again in a different physical shape, e.g.
viscose silk (reyon)
chemically treated polymers, that are of natural origin termed as semi synthesis
copper silk

Synthesis polymers
Synthetic polymers are derived from petroleum oil,
and made by scientists and engineers.
Examples of synthetic polymers include nylon,
polyethylene,
polyester,
Teflon, and epoxy.

Linear polymers
consists of a long string of carbon-carbon bonds
misleading because the geometry around each
carbon atom is tetrahedral and the chain is neither
linear nor straight
As the polymer chain grows, it folds back on itself in a
random fashion
E.g
Polyethylene

Branched chain polymers

Polymers with branches at irregular intervals
along the polymer chain are called branched
polymers
difficult for the polymer molecules to pack in a
regular array
less crystalline and less dense
amount and type of branching also affects
physical properties such as viscosity and elasticity
Branches often prevent chains from getting close
enough together for intermolecular forces to work
effectively.
E.g. polyethylene
PE is a relatively simple polymer, there are two
common forms of it (high and low-density,) each
with unique properties.

Cross linked chain polymers

formed from bi-functional and
tri-functional monomers and
contain strong covalent bonds
contain short side chains (cross
links)
connect different polymer chains
into a network
adding cross-links between
polymer chains makes the
polymer more elastic (they can
stretch and return to their original
form)

Cross links
between
chains

Addition polymers
formed by the repeated addition of monomer molecules
possessing double or triple bonds
n(CH2=CH2)
Ethylene

-(CH2 -CH2 )polyethylene

Condensation polymers
formed by repeated condensation reaction between two
different bi-functional or tri-functional monomeric units.

eg. terylene (dacron), nylon 6, 6, nylon 6.

n(H2N(CH2)6 NH2) + n(HOOC(CH2)4COOH)
NH(CH2)6NHCO(CH2)4CO-]n + nH2O

(Nylon 6:6)

[-

Nylon
Nylon is used as general name for all synthetic fiber forming
polyamides, i.e., having a protein like structure.
These are the condensation polymers of diamines and dibasic
acids
A number is usually suffixed with the Nylon which refers to the
number of carbon atoms present in the diamine and the dibasic
acids respectively.
example: nylon 6,6
nylon-6,6: Nylon-6,6 is obtained by the polymerisation of adipic
acid with hexamethylene diamine.

Thermoplastic polymers
These are linear or slightly branched long chain
polymers, which can be softened on heating &
reversibly hardened on cooling repeatedly.
Their hardness is a temporary property & varies with
temperature.
Example:- polyvinyl chloride.
Polyvinyl chloride:- It is a vinyl polymer constructed
of repeating vinyl groups (ethenyls) having one of
their hydrogens replaced with a chloride group.

Thermosetting polymers
initial mixture of reactive, low molar mass compounds
reacts upon heating in the mold to form an insoluble,
infusible network.
Example: bakelite
bakelite: bakelite is formed of phenol and formaldehyde polymerization.

Applications of Polymers:
Polymeric materials are used in and on soil to improve
aeration, provide mulch, and promote plant growth and
health.

Medicine
Many biomaterials;
heart valve replacements
blood vessels, are made of polymers like Dacron, Teflon
and polyurethane.

Consumer Science
Plastic containers of all shapes and sizes are light
weight and economically less expensive than the more
traditional containers.
Clothing
floor coverings
garbage disposal bags
packaging are other polymer applications.

Industry
Automobile parts
windshields for fighter planes
Pipes
Tanks
packing materials
insulation, wood substitutes
elastomers are all polymer applications used in the
industrial market.

Sports
Playground equipment
various balls
golf clubs
swimming pools
protective helmets are often produced from
polymers.

Strength of Polymers
In general, the longer the polymer chain, the stronger the polymer.
There are two reasons for this:
longer chains are more tangled
there are more intermolecular forces between the chains because
there are more points of contact. These forces, however, are quite
weak for polyethene.
Areas in a polymer where the chains are closely packed in a regular
way are said to be crystalline. The percentage of crystallinity in a
polymer is very important in determining its properties. The more
crystalline the polymer, the stronger and less flexible it becomes.

 When a polymer is stretched (cold-drawn), a neck forms. In the

neck the polymer chains line up producing a more crystalline
region. Cold-drawing leads to an increase in strength.
The first polyethene which was made contained many chains
which were branched. This resulted in a relatively disorganised
structure of low strength and density. This was called low
density polyethene (ldpe).
In the crystalline form, the methyl groups all have the same
orientation along the chain. This is called the isotactic form.
In the amorphous form, the methyl groups are randomly
orientated. This is called the atactic form.
Polymers with a regular structure are said to be stereoregular.

THANKS