Organic Materials

Prepared By:
Er. Bijendra Prajapati
Lecturer
IOE, Pashchimanchal Campus
 Contents
Organic Materials
Polymers
Types of Polymer ( thermoplastic,
thermosetting, elastomers),
Comparison between them by structure,
properties and applications
Chain formation ( addition, condensation)
Degree of polymerization
Forming of polymers
Additives to polymers
Polymer
Greek poly-, "many" + -mer, "part/unit")
A polymer can be thought of as a material
made by combining several mers or units.
Polymers are materials consisting of giant
or macromolecules, chain-like molecules
having average molecular weights from
10,000 to more than 1,000,000 g/mol.
They are built by joining many mers or
units through chemical bonding.
 Contd..
Polymers are organic materials having Carbon
as the common element in their makeup.

A polymer is made up of thousands of

repeating units (Monomers) joined together to
form a large molecule of colloidal dimension,
called macromolecule.
The unique feature is that each molecule is
either a long chain or network of repeating
units of all covalently bonded together,
 Mechanism of
polymerisation
A.Addition Polymerisation
-simplest form. When a large no. of simple molecules
are chemically added together to increase the
average molecule size without wastage, process of
addition polymerisation takes place.
It takes place by 3 steps:
a) Initiation
b) Chain propagation
c) termination

Eg. Addition polymerisation of ethylene

 Contd..
B. Condensation polymerisation
Process of linking together of unlike
monomers accompanied by splitting
off a small molecule.
This process usually requires a
catalyst.
Eg.
Formaldehyde + Phenol= Bakelite +
Water
 Size of a polymer
It is determined by dividing molecular wt. by
the mer weights. The number is called Degree
of polymerisation.
Polymers, unlike organic or inorganic
compounds, do not have a fixed molecular
weight.
For example, polyethylene may have a
molecular weight that ranges from 25,000 to 6
million. The average length of a linear polymer
is represented by the degree of polymerization,
or the number of repeat units in the chain
DP=molecular wt./mer wt.
 Contd..

DP Values > 10 to 20 mers /molecule:

Light oil
As DP value increases: it becomes
Greasy
At about 1000, it becomes Solid & is
then a true polymer.
 Properties of Polymers
Specific gravity: 0.9 to 3.0
Specific heat: 200 to 800J/Kg/K
Thermal Conductivity: Low
Thermal Expansion: Very high (appr. 5 times of Al and
other metals)
Electrical properties : good insulators
Corrosion resistance: resistant to inorgainc chemicals,
attack by oils & grease, weathering and soil. Become
brittle & yellow when exposed to sun for longtime.
Combustibility: d/t C
Rigidity: Low
 Types of Polymers
A. Thermoplastics
B. Thermosetting
C. Elastomers
 Plastic
Any nonmetallic material that can be
moulded to shape.
They are natural or synthetic resins
od their compounds, which can be
moulded, extruded, cast or used as
films or coatings.
Most plastics are of organic nature
composed of H, O, C and N.
Classified as Thermoplastics &
Thermosetting
 A. Thermoplastics
Those which soften on application of
heat with or without pressure, but
they require cooling to set them into
shape.
Can be heated & cooled any no. of
times, only they should not be
heated above their decomposition
temp.
They are long chain st or slightly
branched molecules & their chains
are held close to each other by
 Contd..
Low Melting temp. & are not as strong
as thermosetting plastics
Highly plastic & are easy for moulding
or shaping
Since they can be repeatedly used,
they have a resale value
Commercial thermoplastics are:
Polythene, PVC, Polystyrene,
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTEE)
 B. Thermosetting
Which require heat & pressure to
mould them into shape.
Cant be resoftened once they have set
& hardened.
Ideal for moulding into components
that require rigidity, strength and
resistance to heat.
Have 3D molecular str, and have high
mol. Wt.
Generally, resins formed by
condensation are thermosetting
 Contd
Due to cross linking, they are hard,
tough, non swelling & brittle.
Commercial eg: Phenolics,
Polyesters, Silicones
 3. Elastomers
Basically rubbers which can be
plastically deformed up to 200%.
Polymer chains consist of coil like
molecules which can be reversibly
stretch by applying force.
 Contd.
An Elastomer is a polymer with the physical
property
of elasticity.
Elastomer is a term derived from elastic polymer,
which is often used interchangeably with the
term rubber.
Each of the monomers which link to from
the polymer is usually made of carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen and/or silicon.
Elastomers are usually thermosets requiring a
curing process of rubber involving heat and the
addition of sulfur or other equivalent curatives. In
addition elastomers might also be thermoplastic.
 Moulding of polymers

Shaping
Compression moulding
Injection moulding
Extension moulding
Cold moulding
 Additives to polymers
Materials that are added to polymers to
improve, change the visual, process or
environmental resistance & degradation
properties.
Can be categorized on their primary purpose,
To add bulk or volume while controlling properties
& costs,
To modify the chemical or physical properties of
polymes
To reinforce the mechanical properties of polymer,
making it stronger or higher in impact strength.
 Adhesives to polymers
Materials typically liquid or semi liquid that
adhere or bond items together.
Come from either natural or synthetic sources.
Adhesives cure by either evaporating a solvent
or by chemical reactions that occur between 2
or more constituents.
Very useful
for joining thin or dissimilar materials,
minimizing weights
Providing a vibration-damping joint.
Its disadvantage is that most do not form an
instantaneous joint (need time to cure/harden)
 Types of Adhesives
Non reactive adhesives: White
glue, Rubber cement, Natural Rubber,
Polychloroprene
Reactive adhesives: Polyester
resin, Polyols, Acrylic polymers
Natural adhesives: Animal glue,
Casein
Artificial adhesives: Epoxy,
Polyurethane, Cyanoacrylate.