Polymers

• Polymer


  A long-chain molecule made up of many repeating units, called monomers
• Classifications of Polymers

  • Source of Availability
  • Structure of the Monomer Chain
  • Number of Monomers
  • Mechanical and Thermal Behavior
• Classification of Polymers based on the Source of Availability


  • Natural Polymers
  • Semi-Synthetic Polymers
  • Synthetic Polymers
• Classification of Polymers based on the Structure of the Monomer Chain


  • Linear Polymers
  • Branched-Chain Polymers
  • Cross-Linked Polymers
• Classification of Polymers Based on Monomers


  • Homomer
  • Heteropolymer/Copolymer
• Classification of Polymers Based on Mechanical and Thermal Behavior


  • Thermoplastics
  • Thermosets
  • Elastomers
• Thermoplastics


  • Polypropylene
  • Polyvinyl chloride
  • Polyester
• Thermoplastic


  Any plastic polymer material that becomes pliable or moldable at a certain elevated temperature and solidifies upon cooling
• Thermosets


  • epoxy
  • silicone
• Thermoset


  A polymer that is obtained by irreversibly hardening ("curing") a soft solid or viscous liquid prepolymer (resin)
• Elastomers


  • polyisoprene
  • polychloroprene
• Types of Polymerization


  • Addition
  • Condensation
• Condensation Polymerization


  • Step-growth 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