Classification of polymers

Structure-Property Relationships in Plastics

• Tg is dependent on degree of cross-linking area and
molecular weight. The value of Tg increases as molecular
weight of a polymer increases or as the branching or
cross-linking increases.

• The Tg of a polymer can be reduced by the addition of a

plasticizer to the solid plastic. This reduces the van der
Waals interaction between the polymer chains and allows
the molecules to move.