Extra Notes for Polymer

MEC681 Materials Chapter 1

Review of Materials Science & Engineering
1.1 Classification of Materials
 CLASSIFICATION OF POLYMER

o Thermoplastics - Linear or branched polymers in which chains of

molecules are not interconnected to one another.
o Thermosetting polymers - Polymers that are heavily cross-linked to
produce a strong three dimensional network structure.
o Elastomers - These are polymers (thermoplastics or lightly cross-
linked thermosets) that have an elastic deformation > 200%.
Thermoplastic Thermoset Elastomer
 Thermoplastic POLYMERS
Characteristic: Properties:
• Soften when heated • relatively soft
• Harden when cooled • melt processability
• Reprocessable • lower thermal
• Relatively soft resistance,
• High viscosity at processing • higher creep,
temperatures • Higher moisture
• Difficult to process absorption
• Examples: polyethylene,
polypropylene, polystyrene
Characteristics and typical applications for common
thermoplastic
Polymer Major application characteristic
Polyethelylene Chemically resistant and electrically
(HDPE, LDPE) insulating, tough and relatively low
coefficient of fraction, low strength and
poor resistance to weathering
Polypropylene Resistant to heat distortion, excellent
electrical properties and fatigue
strength, chemically inert, relatively
inexpensive, poor resistance to uv light
Polyvinyl Good low cost, general purpose
cloride (PVC) materials, ordinarily rigid, but may be
made flexible with plasticizer,
susceptible to heat distortion
Polystyrene Excellent electrical properties and
optical clarity, good thermal and
dimensional stability, relatively
inexpensive
Typical application
Flexible bottle, toys,
tumblers, battery part, ice
trays, film wrapping
materials
Sterilizable bottles,
packaging film, tv cabinets,
luggage, Tanks, rope
Floor coverings, pipe,
electrical wire insulation,
garden hose, valve, fitting
Packaging, wall tile, battery
cases, toys, appliance
housing
 ThermosetTING POLYMERS
(THERMOSETS)
Characteristic:
• do not melt on heating
• ease of their processing
• low cost
• Lose their stiffness properties at the heat distortion temperature
• Examples: rubbers, epoxies, polyester, phenolics
• NETWORK POLYMERS – have covalent cross links between adjacent molecular
chains.
• They become permanently hard during their formation and do not soften upon
heating.
• Only heating to excessive temp will cause severance of these link bonds and
polymer degration.

Properties:
• harder, stronger, better dimensional stability and more brittle than thermoplastics.
Polymer Major application characteristic Typical application
Epoxies Excellent combination of mechanical Electrical moldings, sinks,
properties and corrosion resistance; adhesives, protective
dimensionally stable; coatings,
Good adhesion; used with fiberglass
relatively inexpensive; laminates
good electrical properties

Polyesters Excellent electrical properties and Helmets, fiberglass boats,

low cost; can be formulated for auto body components,
room- or high-temperature use; chairs, fans
often fiber reinforced
Phenolics Excellent thermal stability to over Motor housings, telephones,
150C (300F); may be auto distributors,
compounded with a large number electrical fixtures
of resins, fillers, etc.; inexpensive
THERMOPLASTICS VS
THERMOSETS

• little cross linking

• large cross linking • ductile
(10 to 50% of mers) • soften w/heating
• hard and brittle e.g. polyethylene
• do NOT soften polypropylene
w/heating polycarbonate
e.g. vulcanized rubber, polystyrene
epoxies, polyester resin, Acrylonitrile Butadiene
phenolic resin Styrene (ABS)