• Introduction : The word "polymer" is derived from

two Greek words, poly (= many) and mer (= parts or

units). A polymer is a large molecule which is formed
by repeated linking of small molecules called
"monomers". Example: Polyethene is a polymer
formed- by linking together of a large number of
ethene (C2H4) molecules
Why to Study Polymers?
Definition of polymers: A polymer is a large molecule of high
molecular weight obtained by the chemical interaction of many small
molecules of low molecular weight of one or more type. The process of
manufacture of a polymer is called the polymerization.

Monomers: Small molecules of low molecular weight, which combine

to give a polymer, are called monomers.

Degree of polymerization: The number of monomers used in the

process is called degree of polymerization.

Functionality: The total number of functional groups or bonding sites

present in a monomer molecule is called the functionality of the
monomer.
 Characteristics of Polymers :
• Polymeric molecules are very big molecules. They
are also known as macromolecules.
• Polymers are semi-crystalline materials. They have
both amorphous and crystalline regions. In fact,
polymers have regions of crystallinity, called
crystallites, embedded in amorphous regions.
Crystallites provide strength and hardness and the
amorphous regions provide flexibility to the
polymeric material.
• Combustible materials.
• Thermal and electrical insulators.
• Show excellent resistance to corrosion.
• Polymers are very light in weight with significant
degrees of strength
I. Based on their sources they are classified into

1. Natural polymers: The polymers, which are obtained from natural

sources such as plants and animals, are called natural polymers.
Egs. Wood, cellulose, Jute, Cotton, Wool, Silk, Proteins, Natural
rubber etc.

1. Synthetic polymers: The polymers, which are synthesized from simple

molecules, are called synthetic polymers.
Egs: Nylon6,6, PVC, Polystyrene, Teflon, Plexiglass, Polyesters,
Polyethylene etc
I. Based on their thermal behaviour thy are classified into

1. Thermoplastic polymers: egs: PVC, Polyethylene etc.

2. Thermosetting polymers: egs: Bakelite, Urea-Formaldehyde etc.

III. Based on their mechanism of polymerization they are classified into

1. Addition polymers: egs: PVC, Polyethylene etc.

2. Condensation polymers: egs: Nylon66, Polyester etc.

IV. Based on their properties they are classified into

1. Elastomers egs; Natural rubber

2. Fibres egs: Jute, Wood, Silk etc
3. Resins egs: Urea- Formaldehyde, Epoxy resins, Phenol- Formaldehyde etc.
4. Plastics egs: Plexiglass, PVC, Teflon etc.
V. Based on the chemical structure

• Linear ( Eg; all thermoplastics), branched ( eg:

polystyrene) and cross-linked polymer
(bakalite)

Linear -
Branched

Eg. Polystyrene, PMMA

Cross linked :a bond that link one polymer chain to another
 VI )Based on Tacticity
• The orientation of monomeric units in a
polymer molecule can take place in an
orderly or disorderly fashion with respect to
the main chain. The difference in
configuration (tacticity) do affect their
physical properties.
Isotactic Polymer: All the
substituents are located on
the same side of the
macromolecular backbone.
Eg; Polypropylene
SyndiotacticPolymer:The
substituents have alternate
positions along the chain.
Eg; syndiotactic polystyrene
Atactic Polymer: The
substituents are at random
around the main chain.
Eg; PVC
Polymerization: Is the process of conversion of low molecular weight
substances into high molecular weight substances with or without the
elimination of by products such as HCl, H2O, NH3 etc.

Types of polymerization:

1.Addition (chain) polymerization: A polymerization reaction in which

monomers containing one or more double bonds are linked to each other
without the elimination of any by products, usually in the presence of
initiators is called addition polymerization.

Egs: 1. Formation of polythene.

n CH2= CH2 [- CH2 – CH2 -]n

Condensation (step) polymerization:
It is brought by linking together different monomers accompanied
by the elimination of small molecules like H2O, HCl, and NH3.

Egs: 1. Formation of Nylon66

n NH2-(CH2)6-NH2 + n HOOC- (CH2)4- COOH
Hexamethylene diamine Adipic acid

[-NH-(CH2)6-NH-CO-(CH2)4-CO-] n + 2n H2O
Nylon66
 Classification Based on structure:
• Elastomers: Any rubbery material composed of
long chain like molecules, or polymers, that are
capable of recovering their original shape after
being stretched to great extent.
Eg; Vulcanized Rubber
• Fibres: When a polymer is drawn into long
filament like material, whose length is 100 times
its diameter, its called fibre.
• e.g., nylon-6,6, cellulose, cotton
•
• Resins:Low moleculat wt.polymers used as
adhesives. They can be in the form of liquid or
powders.Eg. Phenol formaldehyde, urea
formaldehyde
• Plastics: polymers which can be moulded into
desired shapes by the application of heat and
pressure ( Eg. PE, PVC )
 Types of Plastics

Classified as thermoplastic and thermosetting

Thermoplastics: Plastics which soften on heating and harden on cooling. They

retain their structure when subjected to heat and pressure. Hence they can be
remoulded into new shapes without any loss of their physical properties.

Eg: PVC, polyethylene.

Thermosetting plastics: Plastics which get hardened during moulding process and
cannot be softened by reheating. They also soften on heating but on standing
acquire a cross linked structure which make them stable to heat. Thus they cannot
be remoulded into new shapes.
Eg. Phenol formaldehyde resin
 Homopolymers and coplymers
• Polymers formed from the same type of
monomers are called homopolymers
 Copolymer
• Formed by combining different monomers
• Eg: styrene butadiene copolymer
• The chains of co-polymer consist of repeating
units derived from each monomer. Following
are some common types of co-polymers :

• (a) Alternating co-polymers

• (b) Block co-polymers
• (c)Random co-polymers
• (d)Graft co-polymers
 Alternating co-polymers
• The different repeating units alternate in each
chain. If A and B represent two different units
then an alternating co-polymer will be
represented as,
-ABABABAB-
• (b) Random Co-polymers: In this type of
copolymers, the different repeating units are
not arranged in a systematic manner but are
randomly arranged, e.g.
-ABAABABBAAABA-
Eg; commercial copolymers of butadiene and
acrylonitrile
(c) Block Co-polymers: In such co-
polymers, block of repeating units of one
type alternate with block of another type,
e.g. SBS (shoe soul)
-AAAABBBBAAAABBBB-
 (d) Graft Co-polymers
• In such co-polymers, blocks of one repeating
units are attached or grafted to a block of
linear polymer, e.g.
• Eg: High impact polystyrene
USE of High impact polystyrene
 Difference between Thermoplastics
and Thermosetting plastics
Thermoplastics Thermosetting
• Formed by the addition • Formed by condensation
polymerization. polymerization.
• Soften very readily on heating • Become stiff and hard on
and stiffen on heating, but do not soften on
cooling.(reversible change). cooling. ( irreversible change).
• Can be remoulded. • Can’t be remoulded.
• Usually soft, weak and less • Hard, strong and more brittle.
brittle. • Polymeric chains are held
• Polymeric chains are held together by strong covalent
together by weak vander bonds in the forms of cross-
Waal’s forces. links