TE 570 Polymer Physics
Chapter 1. Introduction
Xiangwu Zhang
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The First Homework
1. Lecture Notes online (Moodle)
2. Select your interested topics for article
reviews/critiques
Due next week in the class
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Polymers
Polymer chemistry
Polymer physics
Polymer characterization
Polymer processing
Polymer applications
Polymer composites
…
…
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Some Topics in Polymer
Physics
Microstructures of Polymers
Amorphous Polymers
Crystalline Polymers
Mechanical Properties of Polymers
Viscoelasticity and Flow of Polymers
Solutions of Polymers
Multicomponent Polymer Systems
Special Topics
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Two typical ways to teach
(or learn) Polymer Physics
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Outline
History and Applications of Polymers
Size of Polymer Molecules
Classifications of Polymers
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History
As Early as Life Began: natural polymers – BIOMACROMOLECULES
DNA, RNA, starch, cellulose, chitin, etc.
A-DNA Loop RNA Cellulose
Chitin
Proteins and Polypeptides Natural rubber
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Silk
History (cont’d)
Ancient times: food, textiles, and wood.
1500 - present
1500’s 1839
British explorers discovered Charles Goodyear discovered
the ancient Mayan civilization vulcanization, by combining
in Central America. The natural rubber with sulfur and
children of mayans were heating it 270 degrees
found playing with balls made Fahrenheit. Vulcanized rubber
from local rubber trees. is a polymeric substances that
is much more durable than its
natural counter part.
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History (cont’d)
1917
1907
X-ray crystallography was
The oldest recorded synthetic
invented. Eight years later, this
plastic was fabricated by Leo
method was used by M. Polanyi to
Bakeland. Bakelite’s hardness
discover the chemical structure of
and high heat resistivity made it
cellulose. This establishes the fact
an excellent choice as an
that polymer unit cell contain
electrical insulator.
sections of long chain molecules
rather than small molecular species.
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History (cont’d)
1920 1927
Staudinger published his classic Large scale production of vinyl-
paper entitled “Uber chloride resins began. This
Polymerization.” Publication of polymeric compound continues to
this paper heralded a decade of be widely used today to make PVC
intense research and presented to pipe, tile, and bottles.
the world the development of
modern polymer theory.
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History (cont’d)
1930 1938
Polystyrene was invented. This Wallace Carothers of the Dupont
polymeric material is used in company produced another well
videocasettes and other known polymeric product, nylon.
packaging. Polystyrene is used in Nylon is a common material used
cups, packaging, and containers. today for such applications as ropes
and clothes.
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History (cont’d)
O
* O n *
1970
1941 James Economy developed
Polyethylene was developed. one of the pioneer moldable high
Billions of pounds of both high temperature polymers (Ekonol).
and low density versions of this This polymeric material paved the
material are produced annually way for liquid crystal polymers one
for everything from packaging year later. Ekonol’s most common
film to piping to toys. applications are electronic devices
and aircraft engines.
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History (cont’d)
1971 1976
S. Kwolek developed Kevlar. The polymer/plastics industry
Kevlar is a high strength material outstripped steel as the nation’s
that can withstand T up to 300oC, most widely used material per unit
and is used in applications such volume. We now use more plastic
as bullet proof vests, and fire than steel, aluminum and copper
proof garments for firefighting combined.
and auto racing.
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History – Four Generations
Natural polymers
Synthetic polymers
Engineering polymers
Functional polymers
Smart polymers
Biomedical polymers
Special applications
…
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From Jeans to GENES
- The Common Thread
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History - Nobel Prize Winner
Scientist Year Research and Discovery
Hermann Staudinger 1953 Macromolecular Hypothesis
Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta 1963 Ziegler-Natta catalysts and resulting stereospecific
polymers like isotatic polypropylene
Paul J. Flory 1974 Random coil and organization of polymer chains
Pierre G. de Gennes 1991 Reptation in polymers and polymer structures at
interfaces
A. J. Heeger, A.G. MacDiarmid 2000 Discovery and development of conductive polymers
and H. Shirakawa
John B. Fenn, Koichi Tanaka, 2002 identification and structure analyses of biological
and Kurt Wüthrich macromolecules
Aaron Ciechanover, Avram 2004 discovery of ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation
Hershko, and Irwin Rose
Osamu Shimomura, Martin 2008 discovery and development of the green fluorescent
Chalfie, and Roger Y Tsien protein 16
Applications
Plastics Pipes, valves, and tanks
Paint Electronics
Adhesives Lubricants
Tires Sports goods
Flooring Shampoo, Cosmetics
Molding Agriculture
Packaging Optics
Automotive CD’s
TEXTILES
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Polymer Consumption
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Polymer Consumption
What is the #1 polymer consumed?
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Applications – Plastics
Identification Code
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Some Polymers and Their
Applications
High-density polyethylene
Polyethylene (HDPE)
Low-density polyethylene
(LDPE)
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Some Polymers and Their
Applications
Polypropylene
(PP)
Polystyrene
(PS)
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Some Polymers and Their
Applications
Polymethyl methacrylate
(PMMA)
Polycarbonates
(PC)
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Some Polymers and Their
Applications
Polyamide (PA)
Nylon 6
Nylon 6,6
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Some Polymers and Their
Applications
Polyethylene terephthalate
(PET or PETE )
Acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene (ABS )
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Some Polymers and Their
Applications
Polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE)
Polyvinylidene Fluoride
(PVDF)
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History and Applications of Polymers
Size of Polymer Molecules
Classifications of Polymers
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Molecular Size
Degree of polymerization (i), which is
the number of repeat units in the
polymer chain
The molecular weight of a
homopolymer is related to i by
M=i·M0
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Molecular Weight Distribution
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Number Average Molecular
Weight
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Number Average Molecular
Weight
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Number Average Molecular
Weight
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Relationships of Molecular
Weights
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Weight Average Distribution
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Dependence of Polymer
Properties on MW
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History and Applications of Polymers
Size of Polymer Molecules
Classifications of Polymers
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Classification of Polymers
Homopolymers:
-[A-A-A-A-A-A]-
Copolymers:
-[A-B-A-B-A-B]-
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Classification based upon reaction
mode of polymerization
Addition Polymers - the monomer molecules bond
to each other without the loss of any other atoms.
E.g.,
Condensation Polymers - usually two different
monomers combine with the loss of a small molecule,
usually water. E.g.,
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Classification based upon the
physical property related to heating
Thermoplastics - plastics that soften when
heated and become firm again when cooled.
This is the more popular type of plastic
because the heating and cooling may be
repeated. √
Thermosets - plastics that soften when
heated and can be molded, but harden
permanently. They will decompose when
reheated. An example is epoxy.
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