Polymers

Polymers: What are they?

Different Types
Uses and Applications
Chemical Make-up
Polymers - What are they?

Polymers are a special kind of

macromolecule
The word polymer comes from the Greek
words “poly,” meaning “many”, and
“meres,” meaning “parts” or “repeating
units”
A Polymer consists of a large chain of
repeating molecules (monomers) that are
attached in an end to end fashion
Description of Polymers

Imagine a string of beads

Each bead is identical (for example, red
sphere)
• Represents the “mer”
The string can contain 100’s of beads
• Represents the “poly” characteristic
The string in between the beads represents
the chemical bond between monomers
Length of Polymers

Polymer chains are HUGE!

Polymers typically consist of between
20,000 and 40,000 individual monomers
If each bead on the string of beads were one
inch apart, one polymer molecule could be as
long as 10 football fields!!!
This chain length is what gives the
polymer most of its desirable
characteristics
Description of Polymers

Polymer chains are flexible, and usually

“clump” together into a smaller shape
This enables the individual chains to
interact and become entangled
This helps to give a polymer its strength
and flexibility
Types of Polymers

There are two main types of polymers

Natural
• (cotton, silk, wood, leather…)

Synthetic
• (plastics, nylon, latex…)
Synthetic Polymers

There are two basic types of synthetic

polymers
Thermoplastics (plastics, Styrofoam)
• These can be softened by heating and hardened by
cooling - easily recycled
• Can easily be cast into various shapes
Thermosets (epoxy’s, adhesives)
• These harden after being heated
• Can easily be cast into different shapes
• Cannot be reformed
Types of Polymers -
Copolymers

Most polymer chains are made up of one

type of monomer (for example, red
beads)
However, some polymers are made up of
different types of monomers (for example,
blue and red beads) - these are called
copolymers
Copolymers

There are four main types of copolymers

The different monomers can be arranged
either in an alternating or random fashion
Alternating
...-red-blue-red-blue-red-blue-red-blue-red-…
Random
…-blue-red-red-blue-red-blue-blue-red-blue-…
Copolymers

There are also block copolymers and graft

co-polymers
Block
…-R-R-R-R-R-R-B-B-B-B-B-B-R-R-R-R-R-R-…
Graft
…-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-…
|
B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-…
Polymers - Pros and Cons

A polymer has many very advantageous

properties. Polymers are:
Lightweight
Strong and durable
Cheap
Easy to manufacture
Unfortunately, polymers do not easily
biodegrade and end up producing large
amounts of waste
Uses of Polymers

Polymers are incorporated into nearly

every aspect of daily life
Entertainment
Sports
Clothes
Hobbies/Toys
Household products
Automotive
Polymer Chemistry

A polymer chain is built on a Carbon

backbone
A monomer unit consists of a small
carbon chain attached to a specific type of
functional group
The functional group is what gives each
polymer chain its individual characteristics
Polymer Chemistry

As previously stated, polymer chains

interact with one another, becoming
entangled
Polymer chains also form cross-links with
adjacent chains, which allows the polymer
to hold its shape and gives added
strength
Summary

Polymers are made up of large chains of

repeating units, called monomers
Individual chains interact to form a
stronger overall substance through
entanglements and cross-links
Polymers are incorporated into almost
every aspect of daily life
Polymers are lightweight, strong, and
inexpensive