POLYMERS

 Mer is a repeated chemical unit in a small

molecule named Monomer.
 Polymers usually contain more than five
monomers, and some may contain thousands of
monomers in each chain.
 ethylene (C2H4)
 ethylene gas is reacted under appropriate
conditions, it will transform to polyethylene (PE),
which is a solid polymeric material.
 Ethylene monomer;

 Ethylene mer or Repeat unit;

• Mer units that have 2 active bonds to connect with
other mers are called bifunctional.

Polyethylene
(bifunctional)

• Mer units that have 3 active bonds to connect with

other mers are called trifunctional. They form
threedimensional molecular network structures.

Phenol-formaldehyde
(trifunctional)
Molecular structure
The physical characteristics of polymer material depend
not only on molecular weight and shape, but also on
molecular structure:

•Linear polymers: Van der Waals bonding between

chains.
Examples: polyethylene, nylon.
• Branched polymers: Chain packing efficiency is
reduced compared to linear polymers - lower density

• Cross-linked polymers: Chains are connected by

covalent bonds. Often achieved by adding atoms or
molecules that form covalent links between chains.
Many rubbers have this structure.
• Network polymers: 3D networks made from
trifunctional mers.
Examples: epoxies, phenolformaldehyde
 Thermoplastics
Thermoplastics soften when heated (and
eventually liquefy) and harden when cooled—
processes that are totally reversible and may be
repeated.
On a molecular level, as the temperature is
raised, secondary bonding forces are diminished
(by increased molecular motion) so that the
relative movement of adjacent chains is
facilitated when a stress is applied.
 Most linear polymers and those having some
branched structures with flexible chains are
thermoplastic.
 thermoplastic polymers include polyethylene,
polystyrene, poly(ethylene terephthalate),
and poly(vinyl chloride).
ABS - Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
• strong and rigid
• resistant to a variety of bases and acids
• some solvents and chlorinated hydrocarbons may
damage the material
• maximum usable temperature 160oF (71oC)
• Use for Drainage, Waste and Vent - pipes
PE - Polyethylene
• Flexible pipe.
• used for pressurized water systems.
• not usable for hot water.

PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride

• strong and rigid.
• resistant to a variety of acids and bases.
• damaged by some solvents and chlorinated
hydrocarbons.
• maximum usable temperature 140oF (60oC) usable for
water, gas and drainage systems not useable in hot
water systems.
 Thermosetting
 Thermosetting polymers are network polymers.
 Network polymers have covalent crosslinks
between adjacent molecular chains.
 During heat treatments, these bonds anchor the
chains together to resist the vibrational and
rotational chain motions at high temperatures.
 become permanently hard. Thus, the materials do
not soften when heated.
 Only heating to excessive temperatures will cause
severance of these crosslink bonds and polymer
degradation.
 generally harder and stronger than
thermoplastics.
 better dimensional stability.
 epoxies, and phenolics and some polyester
resins.

Polyurethanes: insulting foams, mattresses, coatings,

adhesives, car-parts, print rollers, shoe soles, flooring,
synthetic fibers.
Bakelite, a phenol-formaldehyde resin used in electrical
insulators and plasticware.
Polyimides used in printed circuit boards and in body parts
of modern airplanes
 Elastomers
 rubber or rubbery materials - Large elastic elongation
(i.e. More than 200%)

No Stress

Stressed
In tension
 Natural Rubber
H H Gutta percha or Balatta
C H (trans-polyisoprene)

H
C H
C H
C C
H
H
H
H H
H C H
Hevea Rubber
C C
(cis-polyisoprenene)

H C C H
H H
 polymer could be crosslinked (cured or vulcanized) by
heating with sulphur

H H Sulphur attacks this double bond

C H - As many as 8 sulphur atoms might
be in the bridge between molecules
H
C H
C H
C C
H
H
H

 Used in tires for bicycles and early cars.

 Butadiene Rubber (BR)

H H

C C H

H C C H

H H

How is this polymer different from natural rubber?

• No cis or trans isomers.
• Lower mechanical strength because of no of
pendant methyl group but also more flexibility.
• Lower cost (all synthetic from cheap monomer)
• Improvement of low-temp flexibility.
• Compatibility with other polymer materials.
Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR)
 Oil-Resistant Elastomers
• NBR—Nitrile Butadiene Rubber
– Copolymerization of butadiene and acrylonitrile
– More expensive than SBR or BR
• CR—Chloroprene rubber (neoprene)
– Thermal stability
– Non-flammable
 Additives of plastics
Fillers
 To increase the strength and toughness.
 Some times used in large volumes.
ex: wood flour
Silica Flour
Paper pulp
Asbestos
 Advantages of Fillers
• To reduce the cost of products.
• To get required level of properties: mpt, hardness, weight
• To reduce the shrinkage.
• To reduce the amount of plastics required.
Plasticisers
 Plasticizers work by embedding themselves between the chains
of polymers, spacing them apart (increasing the "free volume"),
and thus significantly lowering the glass transition temperature
for the plastic and making it softer.
 Use to make a polymer more flexible and durable.
 Almost 90% of the market for plasticizer is for PVC.
 Plasticizers used in PVC and other plastics are often based on
esters of polycarboxylic acids with linear or branched aliphatic
alcohols of moderate chain length.
 These compounds are selected on the basis of many critieria
including low toxicity, compatibility with the host material, non-
volatility, and expense.
 Phthalate esters of C8 alcohols meet these specifications and
common plasticizers.
Stabilizers
 To protect the plastics and rubbers from light and heat.
 The effectiveness of the stabilizers against weathering
depends on solubility, ability to in different polymer
matrix, the distribution in matrix, evaporation loss
during processing.
 Heat stabilizers are mainly used for construction
products made of polyvinyl chloride, for instance
window profiles, pipes and cable ducts.
 Light stabilizers, are especially needed for polypropylene
and polyethylene.
 In making tyers, carbon black is added to absorbe light
radiation to avoid degradation.