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POLYMERS

ABE054: Materials and Process in AB Engineering Prepared by: G.P.Pantuhan

WHAT ARE POLYMERS?

Poly = many & meros (Greek for parts)
Polymers: Macromolecules formed by the covalent
attachment of a set of small molecules termed
monomers.
Macromolecules = large molecules

H H catalyst
n H
H
H n
H
polyethylene
ethylene

ENGINEERING WITH
POLYMERS
• Polymers provide a low density structural
alternative for some applications
• Are relatively easy to process into numerous
forms
• Provide a high volume, often improved
replacement for materials derived from living
organisms.
• Possess unique properties
• They are often relatively
inexpensive.

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YOUNG’S MODULI: COMPARISON

Graphite
Metals Composites
Ceramics Polymers
Alloys /fibers
Semicond
1200
1000 Diamond
800
600
Si carbide
400 Tungsten Al oxide Carbon fibers only
Molybdenum Si nitride
E(GPa) 200
Steel, Ni
Tantalum <111>
Si crystal
CFRE(|| fibers)*
Platinum
Cu alloys <100> Aramid fibers only
100 Zinc, Ti
80 Silver, Gold Glass-soda AFRE(|| fibers)*
60 Aluminum Glass fibers only
Magnesium, GFRE(|| fibers)*
40 Tin
Concrete

10 9 Pa 20 GFRE*
CFRE*
Graphite GFRE( fibers)*
10
8 CFRE( fibers)*
6 AFRE( fibers)*
Polyester
4 PET
PS
PC Epoxy only
2
PP
1 HDPE
0.8
0.6 Wood( grain)
PTFE
0.4

0.2 LDPE

YIELD STRENGTH: COMPARISON

y(ceramics)
>>y(metals)
>> y(polymers)

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WHY USE POLYMERS?

• Easy to process
– Injection molding (thermoplastics)
– Mold or reaction injection molding (thermosets)
• Cheap
• Lightweight
• Tough
• Flexible
• Transparent (sometimes)
• Insulating (generally)

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MAJOR FUNCTIONS
Adhesives Barriers
superglue polyethylene Polyethylene landfill
epoxies polyesters Garbage bags
Sarah wrap

Structural Insulation
components
Polyurethane foam
PPMA or PC Styrofoam
transparent sheets Polyethylene wire coatings
Molded ABS or HIPS Bakelite (phenol-formaldehyde)

SOME HISTORY
First there were biopolymers

Animal Hides (Proteins): Fiber & Films

Ligaments (Collagen): Hinges
Silk Fibers (Protein): Fibers
Plant Fibers (Cellulose): Fibers

Bison-Hide teepee

Yucca-fiber sandals

SOME HISTORY
Structural Materials: High Modulus & Strong

Wood (Cellulose & Lignin): Tools, jewelry & weapons

Antlers (Keratin): Tools, jewelry & weapons
Horn (Keratin): Tools, jewelry & weapons
Tusks (enamel & dentin): Tools, jewelry & weapons

Ivory lunar cycle charts

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SOME HISTORY
Charles Goodyear
(1800 - 1860)
• Invented
vulcanizati
on of
rubber in
1839
Elastomer:
• Enabled
commercialization of 50% of Rubber tires
natural rubber
Latex rubber gloves

SOME HISTORY
• Saw usefulness of gutta percha
• Gutta percha (GP), also known
as balata, is a natural
thermoplastic and is of
fundamental importance in the
history of the plastics industry.

Thermoplastic:
William
Montgomerie Golf ball covers
(1840’s) Wire coating (until 1940’s)

SOME HISTORY
Date Material Example Use

1868 Cellulose Nitrate Figurines

1909 Phenol-Formaldehyde Electrical equipment
1919 Casein Beauty accessories
1927 Cellulose Acetate Cellophane package wrapping
1927 Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe, Synthetic Leather
1929 Urea-Formaldehyde Lighting fixtures, Plywood glue
1936 Acrylic Brush backs, displays
1936 Polyvinyl Acetate Synthetic flooring
1938 Polystyrene or Styrene Disposable utensils
1938 Nylon (Polyamide) Hosiery
1938 Polyvinyl Butyrate Safety glass interlayer
1939 Polyvinylidene Chloride Saran wrap
1939 Melamine-Formaldehyde Countertops, Cabinets

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SOME HISTORY
Date Material Example Use
1942 Polyester Clothing, Boat hulls
1942 Polyethylene Milk Jugs
1943 Fluorocarbon Industrial gaskets, Non-stick liners
1943 Silicone Gaskets, Tubing, Utensils
1947 Epoxy Glues
1948 Acrylonitrile-Butadiene- Luggage
Styrene
1954 Polyurethane or Foam cushions, Shoe soles, Wheels
Urethane
1956 Acetal Automotive parts, Toilet parts
1957 Polypropylene Living hinges, Safety helmets
1957 Polycarbonate Water bottles, Eye protection
1964 Ionomer Golf balls, Skin packages
1964 Polyimide Gears

CLASSIFICATIONS
Polymers are classified based on:
• By origin
• Physical behavior
• Structure/Architecture
• Application/function
• Polymerization mechanism
• Polymerization chemistry
• Cost

BY ORIGIN
Biopolymers (biological polymers)
– Protein: horn, cartilage, hair, hide, ligaments, tusks
– Composite structures: bone, shells
– Plant materials:
• Cellulose (cotton, sisal, hemp) fiber
• Lignin & cellulose (wood)
• Chitin (insect & crustacean exoskeletons)
Synthetic polymers
– Coal, petroleum, natural gas
– Man-made and are synthesized in the laboratory
– Ex: nylon, polyethylene, polystyrene

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BY PHYSICAL BEHAVIOR
• Thermoplastics
Polystyrene
Polyvinylchloride
• Elastomers
Synthetic rubbers
Poly-cis-isoprene
• Thermosets
Phenolic Resins
Melamines
Epoxies

BY PHYSICAL BEHAVIOR
• Thermosetting polymers have their chains cross
linked by covalent bonds.

Examples of thermosetting polymer:

• Epoxy resins - used as coating materials, caulks,
manufacture of insulating materials, etc ...
• Phenolic resins - tool handles, billiard balls,
sprockets, insulation, etc ...
• Unsaturated polyester resins - manufacture of
plastics reinforced fiberglass commonly known as
polyester, fillers, etc .

BY PHYSICAL BEHAVIOR
• Elastomer materials are those materials that are
made of polymers that are joined by chemical
bonds, acquiring a final slightly crosslinked
structure.
Examples
• Natural rubber
• Polyurethanes
• Polybutadiene
• Neoprene
• Silicone

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BY STRUCTURE/
ARCHITECTURE

BY APPLICATIONS
O
* *
N
• Structural H n
Nylon-6

*
*
n
O
• Coatings O

Poly(vinyl acetate) or PVA

O O
• Fibers * O O
O
n *

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PETE

O O O O
• Adhesives
N N N N N N N N
H H H H
N N

O NH HN O

Urea-Formaldehyde

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BY POLYMERIZATION
MECHANISM
Chain Growth Mechanism
• Free radical
• Anionic
• Cationic
• Ring opening metathesis

Step growth
•Condensation
•Metathesis

BY POLYMERIZATION
CHEMISTRY
Vinyl Polymers *
*
Polyethers n
R
* R O *
Polyarylenes n
Polyesters * *
O n
Polyamides O
* R O *
Polyureas n * R N *
H n O
Polyurethanes
O R N N *
Polysiloxanes H H n
Polycarbonates R O N * R R
H n
Polysulfones Si *
* O O
n
Polyimides R O O *
O n
Polysulfides * S O
O O
Fluoropolymers O n
* N N *
Polyionomers n
O O
Polyacetylenes * R S * F F
n *
*
F n
F
* N *
n
*
*
n

BY COST
• Four high volume thermoplastics and applications:
– Polyethylene (PE): Grocery bag, 55-gallon drum, lawn
furniture
– Polypropylene (PP): Washing machine agitator, carpet
– Polyvinylchloride (PVC): Irrigation pipe, wire insulation
– Polystyrene (PS): Toys, pipes, packing material (Styrofoam)

Polystyrene Polyvinylchloride
Polyethylene Polypropylene

•Low cost, temp. resistance and strength • Good dimensional stability

•Bonds well • Typically, but not always, transparent

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METHODS OF MAKING
POLYMERS
• Addition polymerization and condensation polymerization
• Addition polymerization: monomers react to form a
polymer without net loss of atoms.
• Most common form: free radical chain reaction of
ethylenes

• n monomers • one polymer molecule

METHODS OF MAKING
POLYMERS

METHODS OF MAKING
POLYMERS
• Condensation polymerization: the polymer grows from
monomers by splitting off a small molecule such as water
or carbon dioxide.
• Example: formation of amide links and loss of water
• Monomers

• First unit of polymer + H2O

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POLYMERS IN ENG’G
Properties:
• ductile: can be stretched up to 1000% of
original length
• lightweight: Low densities
• medium strength: Depending on
additives
• chemical stability: inert to corrosive
environments
• low melting point

POLYMERS IN ENG’G
Applications:
• Car tires: vulcanized polymer (added sulfur)
• Ziploc bags
• Food storage containers
• Plumbing: polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• Kevlar
• Aerospace and energy applications: Teflon
• Consumer goods: calculator casings, TV
consuls, shoe soles, cell phone casings,
Elmer’s Glue (adhesives), contact lenses

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