POLYMER CHEMISTRY

What is a polymer?
Very Large molecules structures chain
like in Nature.
Poly

mer

many

repeat unit

Polymers
repeat
unit

repeat
unit

repeat
unit

H H H H H H
C C C C C C
H H H H H H

H H H H H H
C C C C C C
H Cl H Cl H Cl

Polyethylene (PE)

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

H
C
H

H H
C C
CH3 H

H H
C C
CH3 H

H
C
CH3

Polypropylene (PP)

Adapted from Fig. 14.2, Callister 7e.

Natural and Synthetic

Polymers
Polymers

are made up of many (poly)

repeating units (mer). Simple polymers
are made up of single monomers joined
together in either addition or
condensation polymerisation.

Ancient Polymer History

Originally

natural polymers were

used
* Wood
* Rubber
* Cotton
* Wool
* Leather
* Silk

Molecular Structure
of Polymers
Linear

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), PVC, Nylon,

Cotton

Branched

Low Density
Polyethylene (LDPE)

Cross-linked

Rubber

Network

Kevlar, Epoxy

Range of Polymers

Another

way of classifying polymers is in

terms of their form or function

Common Polymers
Polymers

are common in nature. Wood,

rubber, cotton, silk, proteins, enzymes,
and cellulose are all examples of
polymers
A wide variety of synthetic polymers
have been produced, largely from
petroleum based raw materials. These
include polyurethane, teflon,
polyethylene, polystyrene, and nylon.

Rubber Tree

Sap:

Sticky
Viscous
Gooey

Goodyear

Experiment
Luck
Profit ($0)

Vulcanization

Nylon

Cotton

Long Strands of Cellulose

+ Hydrogen Bonds
Cellulose is the most common organic material on earth!
It is also a primary constituent of wood and paper.

Polymers in
Biology

Starch

DNA

Sugar

Protein
s

Chain Length: 1000 - 2000

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

Chain Length: 10,000

100,000

High-Density Polyethylene
(HDPE)

Chain Length: 2-6 million

Ultra-high-molecular-weight
polyethylene (UHMWPE)
Joint
Replacement

Helmet
Gears

Chain Length: 4,000 5,000

PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

More Polar Stronger Bonding

Chain Length: 4,000 8,000

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE)

Polyester

Este
r

Application of polymeric material

*PE milk bottles
*Polyamide
-bulletproof vests
*Polyurethane
-artificial heart
*Fluorinated
phosphazene
elastomer for arctic
environments

 The

number code indicates the polymer type

Endless Possibilities
New

Function
al Groups
Different

Polymer
Backbones

Polymethylmethacrylate (Acrylic)

Crystalline No, too rigid (dual methyl groups)

Hygroscopic Yes (O)
Glass Transition High (220 F)
Flammability Yes (only C-H and C=O bonds)

Monomer
Methyl

Methacrylate (MMA)

Formula : H2C = CHCOOCH3

Structure :

Formation
Free

Radical Polymerization

Acrylic
Major

Uses

Sheet
Windows
Displays

Signs
Surgical Instruments

 Safety

glass such as Plexiglass and Lucite

uses range from windows for aquariums
and under-water restaurants to safety
shields at hockey rinks to skylights in your
home to simple paperweights

Medical Uses
Used

as bone cement for use in

arthroplastic procedures of the hip,
knee, and other joints for the fixation of
polymer or metallic prosthetic implants
to living bone
Used in Pacemakers

Dentures!

 Artificial

eye lenses used for cataract surgery

Suspended

in collagen and implanted to reduce

wrinkles in cosmetic procedures

Acrylic
Processes

Casting
Injection Molding
Extrusion
Thermoforming

PROCESS

VIDEO

Chain Length: 4,000 5,000

PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

More Polar Stronger Bonding

PVC today
Today

PVC has become the second largest

commodity plastic after polyethylene. World
production in 1997 was estimated to be around
23 million tonnes.

Properties
PVC

polymer is chemically stable,

neutral and non-toxic.
PVC's major benefit is its compatibility
with many different kinds of additives,
making it a highly versatile polymer.
PVC has excellent electrical insulation
properties,good impact strength and
weatherproof attributes

Polymerization of PVC

The major raw materials used to

make PVC resin are all natural
crude oil,
natural gas
salt.

MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF PVC

Fabrication
Video

Where is PVC used?

PVC in Medical Applications
PVC in Transport
PVC in Building and Construction
PVC in Toys
PVC in Consumer Goods and
Everyday Life
PVC in Packaging
PVC in Art and Design

Pipe fittings

Pipe elbows

Injection
molded
cones

Extruded door seals

Calendered PVC sheets