The first syntheses were aimed at making substitutes for the natural macromolecules, rubber and
silk; but a vast technology has grown up that now produces hundreds of substances that have no
natural counterparts.
We wear these manmade materials, eat and drink from them, sleep between them, sit and stand
on them; turn knobs, pull switches, and grasp handles made of them; with their help we hear
sounds and see sights remote from us in time and space; we live in houses and move about in
vehicles that are increasingly made of them.
In short, we can say that polymer is a very large molecule that is made up of many repeating
small molecular units.
These small molecular units from which the polymer is formed are called monomers.
The chemical reaction that joins the monomers together is called polymers.
o Elastomers are the polymers which have the particular kind of elasticity characteristic of
rubber;
o Fibers are the polymers long, thin and threadlike, with the great strength along the fiber that
characterizes cotton, wool and silk.
o Plastics are the polymers which can be extruded as sheets or pipes, painted on surfaces, or
molded to form countless objects.
Natural polymers are found in nature and are generally obtained from animal and plants.
Examples are, RNA, DNA, Cellulose, Natural Rubber and Protein etc.
Semisynthetic Polymers –
These polymers are prepared in laboratory by doing some modification in natural polymers to
improve their quality.
Synthetic Polymers –
These are synthesized in the laboratory from chemicalls.
Linear Polymers:
Linear polymers are formed when monomers are joined together to form long straight chain s of
polymer molecules.
These polymers have lower densities, low melting point and lower tensile strength as compare to
linear polymers.
Very weak Van der waals’ forces hold the different chains of elastomers together. .
They have high degree of elasticity and thus can be stretched and then reverts back to its original
shape when force is removed.
These have some cross-links so that the chains do not slip over another.
Fibers
These have very strong intermolecular forces.
Linear polymers are held together by hydrogen bonds and/or dipole- dipole attraction..
These have tensile strength and lest elasticity, have high melting point and low solubility.
Thermoplastic Polymers
Intermolecular forces of thermoplastic polymers are higher than elastomers but lower than fibers.
These are hard at room temperature, but when they are heated, the individual chains slip past
one another and polymer becomes soft.
Thermoplastic polymers readily becomes soft on heating and thus can be moulded into required
shapes, so they are used for manufacturing of toys and chairs etc.
Thermosetting Polymers
These are cross linked polymer.
These become hard and infusible on heating and cannot be soften further because of large
number of cross links.
Homopolymers −
Polymers which are formed by only one type of monomers are called homopolymers
Addition polymers which are formed by more than one type of monomers are known as copolymers.
Types of Copolymers
Random Copolymers: The monomer units have random distribution throughout the chain
nA + nB → -A-A-B-A-B-B-A-B-A-A-A-B-
segment of random copolymers
Alternating Copolymers: The monomer units occur alternatively throughout the polymer chain.
nA + nB → -A-B-A-B-A-B-A-B-
segment of alternating copolymers
Block Copolymers: Different blocks of identical monomers units alternative with each other
nA + nB → -A-A-B-B-B-B-B-A-A-A-A-A-B-B-B-B-B-A-
segment of block copolymers
Graft Copolymers: Homopolymer branches of one polymer unit are grafted onto homopolymer chain
of another monomer unit.
segment of a graft copolymers
Condensation Polymers
These are formed by the repeated condensation reaction between two different bi-functional or
tri-functional monomeric units