Organic Materials

Contents
Organic Materials
Polymers
Types of Polymer ( thermoplastic,

thermosetting, elastomers),
Comparison between them by structure,

properties and applications

Chain formation ( addition, condensation)
Degree of polymerization
Forming of polymers
Additives to polymers
Polymer
Greek poly-, "many" + -mer, "part/unit")
A polymer can be thought of as a material

made by combining several mers or units.

Polymers are materials consisting of giant or

macromolecules, chain-like molecules having

average molecular weights from 10,000 to
more than 1,000,000 g/mol.
They are built by joining many mers or units

through chemical bonding.

Contd..
Polymers are organic materials having Carbon
as the common element in their makeup.

A polymer is made up of thousands of

repeating units (Monomers) joined together to
form a large molecule of colloidal dimension,
called macromolecule.
The unique feature is that each molecule is

either a long chain or network of repeating

units of all covalently bonded together,
Mechanism of
polymerisation
A. Addition Polymerisation
-simplest form. When a large no. of simple molecules
are chemically added together to increase the
average molecule size without wastage, process of
addition polymerisation takes place.
It takes place by 3 steps:
a) Initiation
b) Chain propagation
c) termination

Eg. Addition polymerisation of ethylene

Contd..
B. Condensation polymerisation
Process of linking together of unlike
monomers accompanied by splitting off a
small molecule.
This process usually requires a catalyst.
Eg.
Formaldehyde + Phenol= Bakelite + Water
Size of a polymer
It is determined by dividing molecular wt. by
the mer weights. The number is called Degree
of polymerisation.
Polymers, unlike organic or inorganic
compounds, do not have a fixed molecular
weight.
For example, polyethylene may have a
molecular weight that ranges from 25,000 to 6
million. The average length of a linear
polymer is represented by the degree of
polymerization, or the number of repeat units
in the chain
DP=molecular wt./mer wt.
Contd..

DP Values > 10 to 20 mers /molecule: Light

oil
As DP value increases: it becomes Greasy
At about 1000, it becomes Solid & is then a

true polymer.
Properties of Polymers
Specific gravity: 0.9 to 3.0
Specific heat: 200 to 800J/Kg/K
Thermal Conductivity: Low
Thermal Expansion: Very high (appr. 5 times of Al and
other metals)
Electrical properties : good insulators
Corrosion resistance: resistant to inorgainc
chemicals, attack by oils & grease, weathering and
soil. Become brittle & yellow when exposed to sun for
longtime.
Combustibility: d/t C
Rigidity: Low
Types of Polymers
A. Thermoplastics
B. Thermosetting
C. Elastomers
Plastic
Any nonmetallic material that can be
moulded to shape.
They are natural or synthetic resins od their

compounds, which can be moulded,

extruded, cast or used as films or coatings.
Most plastics are of organic nature

composed of H, O, C and N.
Classified as Thermoplastics &

Thermosetting
A. Thermoplastics
Those which soften on application of heat
with or without pressure, but they require
cooling to set them into shape.
Can be heated & cooled any no. of times,

only they should not be heated above their

decomposition temp.
They are long chain st or slightly branched

molecules & their chains are held close to

each other by Vander Waals forces.
Contd..
Low Melting temp. & are not as strong as
thermosetting plastics
Highly plastic & are easy for moulding or

shaping
Since they can be repeatedly used, they

have a resale value

Commercial thermoplastics are: Polythene,

PVC, Polystyrene, Polytetrafluoroethylene

(PTEE)
B. Thermosetting
Which require heat & pressure to mould them
into shape.
Cant be resoftened once they have set &

hardened.
Ideal for moulding into components that

require rigidity, strength and resistance to

heat.
Have 3D molecular str, and have high mol.

Wt.
Generally, resins formed by condensation are

thermosetting
Contd
Due to cross linking, they are hard, tough,
non swelling & brittle.
Commercial eg: Phenolics, Polyesters,

Silicones
3. Elastomers
Basically rubbers which can be plastically
deformed up to 200%.
Polymer chains consist of coil like molecules

which can be reversibly stretch by applying

force.
Contd.
An Elastomer is a polymer with the physical
property
of elasticity.
Elastomer is a term derived from elastic polymer,
which is often used interchangeably with the
term rubber.
Each of the monomers which link to from
the polymer is usually made of carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen and/or silicon.
Elastomers are usually thermosets requiring a
curing process of rubber involving heat and the
addition of sulfur or other equivalent curatives. In
addition elastomers might also be thermoplastic.
Moulding of polymers

Shaping
Compression moulding
Injection moulding
Extension moulding
Cold moulding
 Additives to polymers
Materials that are added to polymers to
improve, change the visual, process or
environmental resistance & degradation
properties.
Can be categorized on their primary purpose,

To add bulk or volume while controlling properties &

costs,
To modify the chemical or physical properties of
polymes
To reinforce the mechanical properties of polymer,
making it stronger or higher in impact strength.
Adhesives to polymers
Materials typically liquid or semi liquid that
adhere or bond items together.
Come from either natural or synthetic sources.
Adhesives cure by either evaporating a
solvent or by chemical reactions that occur
between 2 or more constituents.
Very useful

for joining thin or dissimilar materials,

minimizing weights
Providing a vibration-damping joint.
Its disadvantage is that most do not form an
instantaneous joint (need time to cure/harden)
Types of Adhesives
Non reactive adhesives: White glue,
Rubber cement, Natural Rubber,
Polychloroprene
Reactive adhesives: Polyester resin,

Polyols, Acrylic polymers

Natural adhesives: Animal glue, Casein
Artificial adhesives: Epoxy, Polyurethane,

Cyanoacrylate.