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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 History
The combination of elements to form complex molecules have triggered
off the most intriguing and fascinating process called life, the material basis for
whose origin was a polymer. This polymer, called protein, got synthesized in
nature from simple chemical compounds like methane, ammonia and carbondioxide. Meanwhile, polymer had also appeared in their other natural forms like
wood, cotton, cellulose, starch. Starting in 1811, Henri Bracannot did
pioneering work in derivative cellulose compounds, perhaps the earliest
important work in polymer science. Despite significant advances in synthesis
and characterization of polymers, a correct understanding of polymer molecular
structure did not emerge until the 1920s. Before that, scientists believed that
polymers were clusters of small molecules (called colloids), without definite
molecular weights, held together by an unknown force, a concept known as
association theory. In 1922, Hermann Staudinger proposed that polymers
consisted of long chains of atoms held together by covalent bonds, an idea
which did not gain wide acceptance for over a decade and for which Staudinger
was ultimately awarded the noble prize. Most commercially important polymers
today are entirely synthetic and produced in high volume on appropriately
scaled organic synthetic techniques. Synthetic polymers today find application
nearly every industry and area of life. Polymers are widely used as adhesives
and lubricants, as well as structural compounds for products from childrens
toys to aircraft.
1.2 MONOMER
A monomer (from Greek mono one and mer part) is a small molecule
that may become chemically bonded to other monomers to from a polymer.
Monomer is the raw material for a basic polymerization reaction. Synthetic
large molecules are made by joining together thousands of small molecular units
known as monomers. The process of joining molecules is called polymerization
and the number of these repeating units in the long molecules is known as
degree of polymerization.
1.3
POLYMER
The word polymer is derived from the classical Greek words poly
meaning many and mer meaning parts. Simply stated, a polymer is a long
chain molecule that is composed of a large number of repeating units of
identical structure. They are complex and giant molecules and are different from
low molecular weight compounds like, say, common salt. Polymers are different
from metals in the sense that their structure consists of very long chain
molecules.
1.4
CLASSIFICATION OF POLYMERS
a.
b.
c.
d.
1.4.3 THERMOPLASTICS
Thermoplastics are prepared by addition polymerization. They are
straight chain are (or) slightly branched polymers and various chains are held
together by weak vanderwalls forces of attraction. Thermoplastics can be
softened on heating and hardened on cooling. They are generally soluble in
organic solvents.
Example
Polyethylene, Polypropylene etc.,
1.5
POLYMERIZATION
Polymers which are synthesized from only one kind of monomer are
called Homopolymer. Polymers which prepared from more than one kind of
monomers are called Copolymers.
1.6
1.6.1 STRENGTH
The strength of the polymer depends upon following three factors
Attractive force
Slipping power
Molecular weight
Attractive forces
Strength of linear or branched polymers exhibit weak vanderwalls forces
and its strength can be enhanced by introducing polar groups like OH,
-COOH, etc., Strength of cross linked polymers exhibit strong covalent bond
forces.
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Molecular weight
Strength of the polymers increased by increasing their chain length or by
increasing their molecular weight.
Slipping power
It deals with movement of one molecule over the another molecule.
Example
Polyethylene has high slipping power which leads to lower strength
of the molecule.
PVC has less slipping power due to their restriction of movement
by the presence of bulkier chlorine groups, results in higher
strength of the molecule.
1.6.2 PHYSICAL STATES OF POLYMERS
Amorphous State
The amorphous state of a polymer exhibits random arrangement of a
molecule which is easily get affected by external heat and pressure. During
processing, they undergo small volumetric changes when melting or solidifying.
Example
Polycarbonate, Polystyrene.
Crystalline State
A small region of macromolecules materials in which portions of large
molecules are arranged in regular way is called crystalline. During processing,
they tend to develop higher strength in the direction of molecules. Since
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commercially perfect crystalline polymers are not produced, they are identified
technically as semi crystalline.
Example
Polypropylene, Polytetrafluoroethylene (TEFLON).
1.6.3 EFFECT OF CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
The chemical group has its effect on the properties of polymer in
the form of polar and non-polar groups.
Polar groups soluble only in polar solvents whereas non polar
groups soluble in non-polar solvents.
Polar groups are insoluble in non-polar solvents.
ii.
1.7
POLYPROPYLENE
1.8
FILLERS
Structural formula :
Structural formula :
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2.1
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