Student names 

: MABELE NZENGUED EVEREST BERENGER – génie des procédés

1. What are the major differences between the properties of plastics and
metals ?

 Plastics are lighter than most metals.

 Metals can conduct electric, while plastics are good electric insulators.
 Plastics are easier formed into intricate shapes than metals.
 And most plastics are transparent, while most metals have colors.

2. What properties are influenced by the degree of polymerization ?

Polymerization and in particular the degree of polymerization has an impact on many of its
properties. The affected properties are tensile strength, impact strength, resistance to
cracking, and viscosity. Each would increase as the degree increase.

3. Why would we want to synthesize a polymer with a high degree of

crystallinity ?
Because Crystallinity defines the degree of long-range order in a material, and strongly
affects its properties. The more crystalline a polymer, the more regularly aligned its chains.
Increasing the degree of crystallinity increases hardness and density. This is illustrated in
poly(ethene)

4. Discuss the significance of the glass transition temperature, Tg, in

engineering Applications.
In engineering applications, where thermoplastics would be expected to carry a load
(structural members), the material should have a glass-transition temperature higher Than
the maximum temperature to which it would be subjected in service. If it didn’t, the plastic
would soften and eventually fail.

5. What is “cross-linking” and why does it improve the strength of

polymers ?
Cross-linked polymers have additional bonds linking adjacent chains together.
The strength is increased because these cross-linking bonds give additional resistance to
material flow ; these bonds must be broken before the molecules can slide past one.
Student names : MABELE NZENGUED EVEREST BERENGER – génie des procédés

6. Give several examples of plastic products or components for which

creep and stress Relaxation are important considerations.
Obviously, it is in high-temperature, low-stress situations where creep is important. Low
temperature, high stress circumstances are where stress relaxation is important. As an
example of the creep’s importance, polymers used in cookware as for pot handles must have
creep resistance. As an example of stress relaxation, seat cushions will deform to provide a
uniform stress distribution and provide comfort for The occupant.