Important Note Physical Polymer
• Homopolymers: Contain only one type of repeating unit in the polymer chain.
Example: Polyethylene, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and Polystyrene.
• Copolymers: Contain two different repeating units in
the polymer chain. Example: Copolymer of Styrene and Acrylonitrile.
• Random Copolymers The repeating units are arranged randomly on the chain
molecule.
• Alternating Copolymers: he repeating units are alternate (ordered) in a regular
sequence along the chain molecule.
• Block Copolymers: The chain consists of long sequences (blocks) of each
repeating unit on the polymeric chain.
• Graft Copolymers: One type of monomer (repeating unit) is grafted onto the
backbone of another monomer.
• Homopolymers have only one repeating unit.
• Copolymers have two different repeating units
• Polymers may also be classified as fibers, plastics, or elastomers.
• Polymers are bonded together by covalent bonds.
• Responsible for cohesive aggregation between molecules.
• the type of bond formed depends on the electronic configuration of the atoms.
• In primary valence bonding, atoms are tied together to form molecules using
their valence electrons, generally leads to strong bonds
• Secondary bonds on the other hand, do not involve valence electrons.
• secondary bonds do not involve valence electrons, they are weak.
• generally, hydrogen and dipole bonds are much stronger than van der Waals
bonds.)
• secondary bonds are weaker than primary bonds.
• Fibers are linear polymers with high symmetry and high intermolecular forces.
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Important Note Physical Polymer
• They are characterized by high modulus, high tensile strength, and moderate
extensibilities.
• Elastomers: weak intermolecular attractive forces, and very flexible polymer
chains there are some molecules with irregular structure, usually assume coiled
shapes.
• Elastomers: Chain segments have high local mobility, but overall motion is
restricted by a few cross-links.
• Plastics: Possess intermediate structure and properties between fibers and
elastomers, Polymers like polypropylene and polyamides can be used as either
fibers or plastics, depending on processing conditions.
• Condensation polymers are formed from a series of reactions , the stepwise
reaction occurs between the chemically reactive groups or functional groups on
the reacting molecules , reaction is the formation of a polyester through the
reaction of a glycol and a dicarboxylic acid , include polyamides (e.g., nylon
6,6) , polyesters (e.g., poly(ethylene tereph thalate) , and urea-formaldehyde
and phenol–formaldehyde resins.
• Addition polymers are produced by reactions in which monomers are added one
after another to a rapidly growing chain. Like all chain reactions, three
fundamental steps are involved: initiation, propagation, and termination.
• Monomers generally employed in addition polymerization are unsaturated.
• Examples of addition polymers are polystyrene), polyethylene,
polyacrylonitrile, poly(methyl methacrylate), and poly(vinyl chloride).
• ring-opening polymerization polymers are derived from the cleavage and then
polymerization of cyclic compounds.
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Important Note Physical Polymer
• The nature of the cyclic structure is such that in the presence of a catalyst it
undergoes equilibrium ring-opening to produce a linear chain of degree of
polymerization.
• nature of the cyclic structure : the most important member of the family of
acetal resins.
• Thermoplastic polymers soften and flow under the action of heat and pressure.
Examples of thermoplastic polymers are polyethylene, polystyrene, and nylon.
• A thermoset is a polymer that, when heated, undergoes a chemical change to
produce a cross-linked, solid polymer.
• Thermosets usually exist initially as liquids called prepolymers.
• Examples of thermosetting polymers include urea–formaldehyde, phe nol–
formaldehyde, and epoxies.
• Thermoplastic polymers are composed mainly of linear and branched
molecules, whereas Thermosets are made up of cross-linked systems.
• Bulk polymerization: Only the monomer is used (without solvent), sometimes
with an initiator and catalyst. Polymerization occurs in a reactor.
• Bulk polymerization: Commonly used in condensation polymer production due
to low exothermic reactions , Low viscosity enhances mixing, heat transfer, and
minimizes bubble formation.
• Solution polymerization: Polymerization occurs in a solvent where both
monomer(Reactant) and polymer(product) are soluble in solvent.
• Suspension polymerization: We use an aqueous medium (water), and the
monomer is dispersed as droplets in the water.
• Emulsion polymerization: Similar to suspension polymerization but with the
initiator in the aqueous phase (continuous phase) in contrast to the monomer
(dispersed phase)in suspension
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Important Note Physical Polymer
• In emulsion polymerization the resulting polymer particles are considerably
smaller (about ten times smaller) than those in suspension polymerization.
• diene polymers (rubber industry); olefin polymer (sheet, film, and fiber
industries); and acrylics (coating and decorative materials).
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