3B4 Tutorial Worksheet 5: Polymer Structures

Problem 1.
Calculate the number of C and H atoms in the polyethylene unit cell, given the density of 0.9979
g/cm3. See figure below for unit cell structure.

Problem 2.
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is used as a cement in hip replacement operations. From
the stress–strain data for shown in the figure, determine the modulus of elasticity and
tensile strength at room temperature [20o C], and compare these values with those
published (E = 2.24–3.24 GPa and Tensile strength = 48.3-72.4 (MPa). Do you think it’s a
good choice of material?
Problem 3.
Discuss what is meant by viscoelasticity?
SOLUTIONS
Problem 1.
Calculate the number of C and H atoms in the polyethylene unit cell, given the density of 0.9979
g/cm3. See figure below for unit cell structure.

Mass per unit cell:

0 . 9979 g /cm3 ×( 0. 741×10−7 cm )( 0 . 494×10−7 cm )( 0. 255×10−7 cm ) =9 .3154×10−23 g /unitcell
Mass per mer:
1 mer = 28 g/mol /(6.023 x 1023 mer/mol) = 4.65 x 10-23 g/mer

Mers per unit cell:

(9.3154 x 10-23 g/unit cell)/(4.65 x 10-23 g/mer) = 2 mers/unit cell

Atoms per unit cell:

1 mer has 2 C and 4 H atoms therefore there are 4 C and 8 H atoms in the unit cell.

Problem 2.
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is used as a cement in hip replacement operations. From
the stress–strain data for shown in the figure, determine the modulus of elasticity and
tensile strength at room temperature [20C], and compare these values with those published
(E = 2.24–3.24 GPa and Tensile strength = 48.3-72.4 (MPa). Do you think it’s a good choice of
material?
Problem 3.

Viscoelasticity: The property of a substance that exhibits both elastic (time-independent)

and viscous (time-dependent) behaviour. The application of stress causing temporary
deformation if the stress is quickly removed but permanent deformation if it is maintained.

The simplest models for the deformation behaviour of an ideal material are those of
Hookean linear elasticity in the solid state, and Newtonian linear viscosity in the liquid state.

The end point of elastic deformation is either fracture or plastic flow, with the latter taking
place at a constant yield stress. Whilst the behaviour of many real materials does
approximate to these idealised models, that of polymers deviates markedly from them. In
particular, their solid state deformation is time-dependent and nonlinear and so resembles
some combination of elastic and viscous responses.

Pure elastic behaviour

Viscoelastic behaviour