Engineering Chemistry and Environmental Studies UNIT VIII

8. Polymers
1) Define Polymer?
Ans:
Polymer:
Many simple molecules combined with each other to give a high molecular weight compound.
This high molecular weight compound is called polymer.
Eg: Polythene, TEFLON, and PVC
2) Define Polymerization?
Ans:
Polymerization:
The reaction in which many simple molecules react to form a high molecular weight product is
called polymerization.
The smaller reacting molecules are called monomers.
3) What are Types of polymerization?
Ans:
Types of polymerization:
The polymerization reactions are 3 types.
They are

1) Addition polymerization (or) chain polymerization

2) Condensation polymerization (or) step polymerization
3) Co-polymerization.

4) Explain the Addition polymerization with examples?

Ans:
1) Additional polymerization:
The polymerization is which monomers add together to form a high molecular weight product is
called addition polymerization.
It is also called chain polymerization.
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Lecturer in Chemistry

Polymers

Engineering Chemistry and Environmental Studies UNIT VIII

In this polymerization, the monomers combine in a linear manner.

So, the polymer formed in chain structure.
The molecular weight equal to the sum of molecular weight of monomers.
In this polymerization no elimination of simple molecules.
This type of polymers is called homo polymers.
Eg: Formation of polythene.
Ethylene is polymerized at 1000 2000 atmosphere pressure and 2500 c in the presence of O2 to
form polythene.

n CH2 = CH2
Ethylene

1000 2000 atm

2500 c, O2
n

Polythene
Uses of polythene:
1) It is used to prepare insulators, bottles, caps, tubes, cables, wires.
2) It is used for making domestic things, toys.
2) Formation of poly vinyl chloride (PVC):
It is prepared by the addition polymerization of vinyl chloride in the presence of H2O2 under
pressure.
H
n

Cl
C=C

Cl

Vinyl chloride

PVC

Uses of PVC:
1) It is used for making helmets, tires, rain coats,
2) It is also used in conveyor belts, chemical containers.
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Lecturer in Chemistry

Polymers

Engineering Chemistry and Environmental Studies UNIT VIII

3) Formation of Teflon (or) PTFE:

It is prepared by the addition polymerization of tetra fluoro ethylene in the presence of benzoyl
peroxide under pressure.

H
n

Cl
Benzoyl

C=C

Peroxide
H

Cl

Tetra fluoro ethylene

Teflon

Uses of Teflon:
1) It is used in transformers, cables etc.
2) It is also used for making burettes, bearing etc.
4) Formation of polystyrene:
It is prepared by the addition polymerization of styrene in the presence of benzoyl peroxide.
CH = CH2

CH

CH2

Benzoyl
Peroxide

Styrene

n
Polystyrene

Uses of polystyrene:
1) It is used for making toys, combs, and buttons.
2) It is also used in optical and photographic equipment.
5) Explain the Condensation polymerization?
Ans:
Condensation polymerization:
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Lecturer in Chemistry

Polymers

Engineering Chemistry and Environmental Studies UNIT VIII

The polymerization in which many, small, different molecules react to form in a polymer with
the elimination of simple molecules like H2O, NH3etc is called condensation polymerization.
This type of polymerization generally occurs between different types of monomers.
A cross linked polymer is formed.
The reaction occurs in three dimensional manner.
Eg: Formation of Bakelite:
Bakelite is prepared by the condensation polymerization of formaldehyde and phenol with
hexamine in the presence of H2SO4
H2SO4

Phenol + Formaldehyde

Ortho (or) Para hydroxyl methylol Benzene

+ HCHO
OH

CH2OH

OH

CH2OH
(or)

OH
Uses of Bakelite:
1) To prepare electric switch boards switches.
2) To prepare T.V., Radio parts.

Formation of Urea formaldehyde polymer:

It is prepared by the condensation polymerization of 2 parts of urea and one part of formaldehyde
at 500 C in a stainless steel vessel in the presence of hexamine.
O

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-H2O
4

Polymers

OHn

Hexamine

Engineering Chemistry and Environmental Studies UNIT VIII

NH2 C NH H

C +

H HN C NH2

Formaldehyde

Urea

NH C NH CH2 NH CO NH

Uses of Urea formaldehyde:

1) It is used to prepare decorative articles, plates.
2) It is used as adhesive.
6) What are differences between addition and condensation?
Ans:
Addition polymerization
1) Monomers add in linear manner

Condensation polymerization
1) Monomers react in three dimensional
manner
2) Cross linked polymer formed
3) H2O, NH3 like molecules elimination takes
place
4) Molecular weight of the polymer rises
steadily throughout the reaction.

2) Linear polymer is formed

3) No elimination of simple molecules
4) High molecular weight polymer formed at
once
7) Define Plastics?
Ans:
Plastics:

The high molecular weight organic polymers which can be molded into desired form by the
application of heat and pressure are called plastics.
Plastic are two types. They are
1) Thermo plastics.
2) Thermo setting plastics.
8) Write differences between Thermo plastics and Thermo setting plastics?
Ans:
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Lecturer in Chemistry

Polymers

Engineering Chemistry and Environmental Studies UNIT VIII

Thermo plastics
1) The plastics which can be softened on
heating and hardened on cooling are called
Thermo plastics.
Eg: Polythene, PVC
2) These are formed by addition
polymerization
3) These are long chain polymers
4) These are in linear form
5) These are soluble in some organic solvents
6) These are weak, soft and less brittle
7) Neighboring polymer chains are held
together by weak vanderwall forces.
8) These can be reshaped
9) These can be reclaimed from wastes
9) Write the Characters of Plastics?

Thermo setting plastics

1) The plastics which cannot be softened on
heating and hardened on cooling are called
Thermosetting plastics.
Eg: Bakelite
2) These are formed by condensation
polymerization
3) These are cross linked polymers
4) These are in three dimensional form
5) These are insoluble in some organic solvents
6) These are strong, hard and more brittle
7) Neighboring polymer chains are held
together by strong covalent bonds.
8) These cannot be reshaped
9) These cannot be reclaimed from wastes

Ans:
Characters of Plastics
1) They are light in weight.
2) They are low thermal and electrical conductance.
3) They are resistant to corrosion.
4) They have high tensile strength.
5) They are impermeable to water.
6) They are not affected by insects fungi, virus etc.
7) They have low thermal expansion.
8) They are not bio degradable.
9) They are chemically inert.
10) Low fabrication cost.
10) Write the Disadvantages of plastics?
Ans:
Disadvantages of plastics:
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Lecturer in Chemistry

Polymers

Engineering Chemistry and Environmental Studies UNIT VIII

1) They have combustibility.

2) They are poor in ductility.
3) They are soft and weak.
4) They have low heat resistance.
5) They undergo deformation when pressure is applied.
6) The plastics are non biodegradable.
Hence, they cause high environmental pollution.
Rubber:
The high molecular weight organic polymers having elasticity property are called rubbers.
10) What is Natural Rubber? (or) Write the preparation of Natural Rubber ?
Ans:
Natural Rubber:
Preparation:
Milky liquid, called Latex is obtained when v-shaped cuts are made in the trunks of rubber trees
(heaveabrasiliensis).
Latex is diluted to contain between 15 20% of rubber and preservations like NH3 are added.
The diluted latex is treated with HCOOH (or) CH3COOH, which coagulates the rubber.
It is obtained as white mass called as Coagulum.
It is then milled and sheeted.
Filter and Rolling
HCOOH/CH3COOH

Water
Latex

15 20% Latex

Coagulum

Raw rubber

Coagulants
11) Write the Disadvantages of Raw rubber?
Ans:
Disadvantages of Raw rubber:
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Lecturer in Chemistry

Polymers

Engineering Chemistry and Environmental Studies UNIT VIII

1) High water absorption capacity.

2) It becomes soft at high temperature and brittle at low temperature.
3) Swells in organic solvents.
4) High Elasticity.
5) Oxidized easily in air.
6) Low tensile strength.
12) Write the Structure of Natural rubber?
Ans:
Structure of Natural rubber:
Rubber is an organic polymer.
Monomer in the rubber is Isoprene.
Formula:

CH3

C5H8 CH2 = C CH = CH2

2 Methyl 1,3 Butadiene.
Natural rubber has the cis configuration at every double bond.
CH3
CH2

CH2
C=C

H
C=C

CH2

CH2
CH2

CH3

CH2
C=C

CH3

Fig. Natural Rubber

13) Write the Vulcanization of rubber?
Ans:
Vulcanization of rubber:
The process of heating the raw rubber with sulfur at 1100 1400 c is called vulcanization.
In the vulcanization process sulfur combines chemically at the double bonds.
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Lecturer in Chemistry

Polymers

Engineering Chemistry and Environmental Studies UNIT VIII

So this process stiffen the materials and prevent intermolecular movement of rubber strings.
This process is proposed by charless good year.
The properties of vulcanized rubber depends upon
a) Amount of sulfur.
b) Temperature.
c) Duration.
CH3

CH3

CH3

CH2 C = CH CH2 CH2 C = CH CH2 CH2 C = CH CH2

CH2 C = CH CH2 CH2 C = CH CH2 CH2 C = CH CH2
CH3

CH3

Sulfur 1100 -1400 c

CH3
Raw Rubber

CH3

CH3

CH3

CH2 C = CH CH2 CH2 C = CH CH2 CH2 C = CH CH2

S

CH2 C = CH CH2 CH2 C = CH CH2 CH2 C = CH CH2

CH3

CH3

CH3

Vulcanized Rubber
The stiffness of vulcanized rubber depends on the amount of sulfur added.
Eg:

Tyre rubber - 3 5% S
Battery case rubber 30% S
Ebonite (or) hard rubber 32%S

14) Write the Characters of vulcanized rubber (advantages)?

Ans:
Characters of vulcanized rubber (advantages):
1) Good tensile strength.
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Lecturer in Chemistry

Polymers

Engineering Chemistry and Environmental Studies UNIT VIII

2) Low water absorption capacity.

3) High resistance to oxidation.
4) Low elasticity.
5) It is resistant to organic solvents.
6) Working temperature 400 to 1000 C
7) Slight tackiness.
15) What is Synthetic Rubber (or) Elastomers?
Ans:
Synthetic Rubber (or) Elastomers:
An elastomer is vulcanisable man made rubber.
An elastomer can be stretched to at least twice its length, but it returns to its original shape and
dimensions as soon as stretching force is released.
Eg:
Buna S (Styrene rubber (or) GR S Rubber):
m
The name Buna S is derived from Bu for butadiene na symbol of sodium and S for styrene.
Buna S is prepared by the co polymerization of butadiene and styrene.
Equation:
m CH2 = CH CH = CH2 + n CH2 = CH

CH2 CH = CH CH2

CH2 CH

n
Butadiene

Styrene

Buna - S

Buna S rubber have high abrasion resistance, so it is used in the preparation of motor tyres.
2) Neoprene (or) GR M Rubber:
It is prepared by the addition polymerization of chloroprene ( 2 Chloro 1,3 butadiene).
Equation:
Cl
n CH2 = C CH = CH2

Cl
CH2 C = CH CH2

Chloroprene

Neoprene

Neoprene is used in the preparation of aprons, adhesives, gaskets etc.

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Lecturer in Chemistry

10

Polymers

Engineering Chemistry and Environmental Studies UNIT VIII

16) Write the General uses of rubber?

Ans:
General uses of rubber:
1) Electrical insulator.
2) For chemical resistance.
3) Rubber bands, tubes due to elasticity.
4) Tyres due to abrasive resistance.
5) Storage battery hard rubber.
6) For sound absorption sponge rubber.
7) Bed pillows, cushions foam rubber.
8) In Medicine heart values.
9) Toys, sport goods.

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Lecturer in Chemistry

11

Polymers