POLYMERS

Plastics

• are materials that are composed principally of polymers containing

496 additives such as glass fibers, fillers, pigments, and the like
that further enhance their properties.
• It include thermoplastics (commodity and engineering), thermoset
materials, and elastomers (natural or synthetic)
Polymerization

• Polymerization is the process by which small molecules consisting

of one unit (known as a monomer) or a few units (known as
oligomers) are chemically joined to create these giant molecules.
Application of plastics

• Clothing, Toys, home appliances

• structural and decorative items
• coatings, paints, adhesives, automobile tires, car bumpers and
interiors, foams, and packaging.
• biomedical devices
• eyeglasses with photochromic lenses
• some polymers such as acrylics like PlexiglasTM and LuciteTM are
transparent and can substitute for glasses
• LCD
polyvinyl acetate (PVA)

• Water soluble
• binders, surfactants, or plasticizers in processing ceramics and
semiconductors, and as additives to many consumer products.
Polyvinyl butyral (PVB)

• a polymer, makes up part of the laminated glass used for car

windshield
Commercial—or standard commodity—
polymer

• lightweight, corrosion-resistant materials with low strength and

stiffness, and they are not suitable for use at high temperatures.
• Inexpesive, widely used ranging from plastic bags to mechanical
gears to bathtub
Classification of Polymers

• Synthesis
• Molecular structure
• Molecular
• chemical family
• linear polymer or branch polymer
Classification of Polymers
Category of polymers

Thermoplastic
Thermosetting
Elastomers
Thermoplastic

• flexible linear chains (straight or branched)

• typically behave in a ductile manner
• relatively weak van der Waals bonds between atoms of different
chains
• Example; Polyethylene
Thermosets

• Rigid three-dimensional network (chains may be linear or branched

• generally stronger, but more brittle, than thermoplastics.
• do not melt upon heating but begin to decompose
• Example; Polyurethanes
Elastomers

• Thermoplastics or lightly cross-linked thermosets, consist of

spring-like molecules
• elastic deformation >200%
• Example; Natural rubber
Polyethylene structure
Creating a polymer

• Addition polymerization
• condensation polymerization
Addition polymerization

In presence of an appropriate combination of heat, pressure, and

catalysts, the double bond between the carbon atoms is broken and
replaced with a single covalent bond.
Condensation Polymerization

• step-growth polymerization, producing structures and properties

that resemble those of addition polymers.
• This mechanism may often involve di¤erent monomers as starting
or precursor molecules. The polymerization of dimethyl
terephthalate and ethylene glycol (also used as radiator coolant)
to produce polyester is an important example (Figure 16-5)
Degree of Polymerization

• The average molecular weight of the polymer divided by the molecular

weight of the monomer.
• if the polymer contains only one type of monomer, the molecular weight of
the repeat unit is that of the monomer. If the polymer contains more than
one type of monomer, the molecular weight of the repeat unit is the sum of
the molecular weights of the monomers, less the molecular weight of the
byproduct.
• Degree of polymerization==
Where: fi= is the weight fraction of the polymer having chains within that range
xi= is the fraction of the total number of chains within each range
Mi= is the mean molecular weight of each range
Example

• Calculate the degree of polymerization if 6,6-nylon has a

molecular weight of 120,000 g/mol.
• Solution:
Mn=116 + 146 – (2)18 = 226 g/mol
Degree of polymerization= =531
Therefore, 531 hexamethylene diamine and 531 adipic acid
molecules.
Polymer Processing and Recycling

• There are a number of methods for producing polymer shapes,

including molding, extrusion, and manufacture of films and fibers.
The techniques used to form the polymers depend to a large extent
on the nature of the polymer—in particular, whether it is
thermoplastic or thermosetting.
• Thermoplastics-the polymer is heated to near or above the melting
temperature so that it becomes rubbery or liquid. The polymer is
then formed in a mold or die to produce the required shape.
• once cross-linking has occurred thermosetting polymers are no
longer capable of being formed.
Extrusion
Extrusion
Blow Molding

• A hollow preform of a thermoplastic called a parison is introduced

into a die by gas pressure and expanded against the walls of the
die. This process is used to produce plastic bottles, containers,
automo.tive fuel tanks, and other hollow shapes
Injection Molding

• Thermoplastics heated above the melting temperature using an

extruder are forced into a closed die to produce a molding.
• . A wide variety of products, ranging from cups, combs, and gears
to garbage cans, can be produced in this manner
Thermoforming

• Thermoplastic polymer sheets heated to the plastic region can be

formed over a die to produce such diverse products as egg cartons
and decorative panels. The forming can be done using matching
dies, a vacuum, or air pressure.
Calendaring

• In a calendar, molten plastic is poured into a set of rolls with a

small opening. The rolls, which may be embossed with a pattern,
squeeze out a thin sheet of the polymer—often, polyvinyl chloride.
Typical products include vinyl floor tile and shower curtains.
Spinning

• Filaments, fibers, and yarns may be produced by spinning. The

molten thermoplastic polymer is forced through a die containing
many tiny holes. The die, called a spinnerette, can rotate and
produce a yarn. For some materials, including nylon, the fiber may
subsequently be stretched to align the chains parallel to the axis
of the fiber; this process increases the strength of the fibers.
Transfer Molding
Compression Molding
• Thank you.