Polymers And Their Propertie

s
Introduction
Basic Topics:
Types of polymers
Classification of Polymers
Characteristics of Polymers
Properties of Polymers
Strength of Polymers
ing MONOMER units i
n long chains .
INTRODUCTION
Is Analogous to a neckl
ace made from many s
mall beads(MONOME
RS )
Another common name for many synthetic
polymers is plastic which comes from the G
reek word PLASTIKOS
Suitable for molding or shaping.
BASIC TOPICS
Types of Polymers.
Classification of Polymers.
Characteristics of Polymers.
Properties of Polymers.
Strength of Polymers.
TYPES OF POLYMERS

POLYTHENE
-The First Commercially produced Polymer
-The Simplest and Most Common.
-Its Systematic name is poly(ethene ) meaning it is a polymer made from
the monomer, ethene . (ETHENE is a small molecule containing two carbon atoms
linked by double bond andd four hydrogen atoms, two bonded each carbon)
POLYTHENE
POLY(PROPENE)
-Other Polymers can be made in this w
ay.
-Is very similar to Poly(Ethene) .
-Is made from propene which has thre
e carbon atoms, two of which are joined by
a double bond.
POLY(PROPENE)
POLY(PROPENE)
AMIDE LINKAGES
-One of the most common molecules i
n biochemistry.
-Is a type of polymer called Protein.
-Is made from monomers known as a
mino acids and they are joined by an amide
linkage.
NYLONS
-Are made using two types of monomer whi
ch are Dicarboxylic acids and Diamines.
-The first nylon synthesised used one mono
mer with a chain of four carbons with a carboxylic
acid group on each end and another monomer wi
th six carbon chain.
-Nylons are mainly used as fibres for clothin
g and also other hard parts in light engineering.
POLYURETHANE
-Is very similar to nylons , but are form
ed by reacting alcohols with isocyanates an
d have an amide linkage with an additional
oxygen atom in the chain.
-This polymer is SOFTER and MORE EL
ASTIC than NYLONS and are used as a subst
itute for rubber and in elastic and Lycra.
POLYESTERS
The final types of polymer we will deal in thi
s report are the polyesters. The ester linkag
e is a carboxylic acid group where the hydr
ogen has been replaced by the carbon of an
other organic group. Polyesters are widely
used as fibres for clothes and also for many
drink bottles. They are also used to make th
in films for applications such as video tape
s.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF POLYME
RS

-HOMOPOLYMERS consists of a chain with iden

tical bonding linkages to each monomer unit. This
usually implies that the polymer is made from all i
dentical monomer molecules.
These may be represented as : -[A-A-A-A-A-A]-
COPOLYMERS -Consist of chains with two or mor
e linkages usually implying two or more differn
et types of monomers units.
These may be represented as : -[A-B-A-B-A-B]-
Polymers are further classified by the reaction m
ode of polymerization, these include:

ADDITION POLYMERS The monomer mo

lecules bond to each other without the loss
of any other atoms. Alkene monomers are t
he biggest groups of polymers in this class.
CONDENSATION POLYMERS Usually two
different monomer combine with the loss o
f a small molecule, usually water. Polyester
s and polyamides (Nylon) are in this class of
polymers. Polyurethane Foam in graphic.
Classification based upon the phy
sical property related to heating:

THERMOPLASTICS Plastics that soften w

hen heated and become firm again when co
oled.
This is the more popular type of plastic bec
ause the heating and cooling may be repeat
ed.
THERMOSETS Plastics that SOFTEN when
heated and can be modeled, but harden pe
rmanently.
They will decompose when reheated.
An example is Bakelite, which is used in toa
sters, handles for pots and pans, dishes, ele
ctrical outlet and billiard balls.
CHARACTERISTICS OF POLYM
ERS
Low Density.
Low Coefficient of Friction.
Good Corrosion Resistance.
Good Mould Ability.
Excellent Surface Finish Can Be Obtained.
Can be Produced With Close Dimensional Toleran
ces.
Economical.
Poor Tensile Strength.
Low Mechanical Properties.
Poor Temperature Resistance.
Can be produced transparent or in different colou
rs.
PROPERTIES of POLYMERS

The physical properties of a polymer, such

as its strength and flexibility depend on:
Chain Length in general, the longer the ch
ains the stronger the polymer;
Side groups Polar side groups give strong
er attraction between polymer chains, maki
ng the polymer stronger;
Branching Straight, un branched chains ca
n pack together more closely than highly br
anched chains, giving polymers that are mo
re crystalline and therefore stronger.
Cross-Linking If polymer chains are linked
together extensively by covalent bonds, the
polymer is harder and more difficult to mel
t.
Strength of Polymers

In general, the longer the polymer chain, Th

e stronger the polymer, There are two reas
ons for this:
Longer chains are more tangled.
There are more intermolecular forces betw
een the chains because there are more poi
nts of contact. These forces, however, are q
uite weak for polythene.