CHAPTER 8

8.1 POLYMER STRUCTURE

8.2 TYPES OF POLYMERS
8.3 POLYMER SYNTHESIS
8.4 POLYMER PROCESSING
 8.1 POLYMER STRUCTURE

~ Mer structure of the common polymeric materials ~

Raw Materials
 8.2 TYPES OF POLYMER
POLYMER

ADVANCED
MISCELLANEOUS
PLASTICS ELASTOMER POLYMERIC
APPLICATIONS
MATERIALS

Ultrahigh Molecular
THERMOPLASTIC COATINGS
Weight Polyethylene

Liquid Crystal
THERMOSETS ADHESIVES
Polymers

Thermoplastic
FILMS
Elastomers

FOAMS
 TYPES OF POLYMER

(i) ELASTOMER
 TYPES OF POLYMER

(i) THERMOPLASTIC
 TYPES OF POLYMER

(i) THERMOSETS

ELASTOMER
- a material that at room temperatures stretches under a low
stress to at least twice its length and then quickly returns to
almost its original length upon removal of the stress.

THERMOPLASTICS
- plastics which can be reheated and reformed into new shapes a
number of times without significant change in their properties.

THERMOSETS
- plastics formed into a permanent shape and cured (set) by a
chemical reaction cannot be remelted and reformed into another
shape.
→ degrade or decompose upon being heated to too high temp.
Application : Engineering
Application : Cosmetics

1973 1993
 8.3 POLYMER SYNTHESIS

POLYMERIZATION – the chemical reaction in which high-

molecular-mass molecules are formed from monomers.

polymerization
ethylene polyethylene

2 types of polymerization processes :

Addition Polymerization

Condensation Polymerization
 ADDITON POLYMERIZATION

 Sometimes called as chain reaction polymerization.

 Process by which a bifunctional monomer units are
attached one at a time in a chain-like fashion to form a
linear macromolecule.
 Involves 3 stages :
(i) Initiation
- an active center (free radical) capable of propagatian
is formed → between initiator (or catalyst) and the
monomer unit.
R – active initiator

- unpaired electron
(ii) Propagation
- extending the polymer chain by the successive
addition of monomer units.

- the chain polymerization keep growing spontaneously

because the energy of the chemical system is lowered
by the chain polymerization process.
(iii) Termination
- can occur in 2 ways :
(a) the active ends of 2 propagating chains may
react or link together to form a
nonreactive molecule.
(b) an active chain may react with an initiator or other
chemical species having a single active bond.
 CONDENSATION POLYMERIZATION

The formation of polymers by stepwise intermolecular

chemical reactions – normally involve more than one
monomer species

Small molecular weight by-product is eliminated – e.g.
water.

Stepwise process is repeated.

Reaction times are generally longer than addition
polymerization.

Produce trifunctional monomers – capable of forming
crosslinked and network polymers.

E.g. : polyesters, nylons, polycarbonates etc.
Condensation Polymerization
 COMPARISON BETWEEN THERMOPLASTIC &
THERMOSETS POLYMER

THERMOPLASTIC THERMOSETS

Linear or branched chain structure Crosslinked & network chain

structure
Can be reheated and reformed Cannot be remelted and reformed

Low strength High rigidity

Good dimensional stability High dimensional stability

Good heat resistance High electrical & thermal insulating

properties
Very sensitive to temperature & UV Not sensitive to UV light
light
8.4 POLYMER PROCESSING