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Polymers Notes
Polymers Notes
Polymers
By Singh Sahab
Introduction
Polymer = Poly + Mer
(Many) (Unit/Part)
Polymer - very large molecules having high molecular mass (10 3-107u).
-manmade polymers
1. Linear polymers
1. Addition polymers-
Thread forming solids which possess high tensile strength and high modulus.
For termination of the long chain, these free radicals can combine in
different ways to form polythene. One mode can be-
Preparation of some important addition
polymers
(a) Polythene
• chemically inert
• Tough
• Flexible
• a poor conductor of electricity
Uses-
insulation of electricity carrying wires, manufacture of squeeze bottles, toys
and flexible pipes.
(ii) High density polythene
• Is chemically inert
It is
• chemically inert
• resistant to attack by corrosive reagents.
(c) Polyacrylonitrile-
It may result in the loss of some simple molecules as water, alcohol, etc., and
lead to the formation of high molecular mass condensation polymers.
The formation of terylene or dacron
Some important condensation
polymerisation reactions
1. Polyamides
Dacron fibre (terylene) is used in blending with cotton and wool fibres
3. Phenol - formaldehyde polymer
Paint → Nerolac
Novolac on heating with formaldehyde undergoes cross linking to form an
infusible solid mass called bakelite.
cis-polyisoprene
Vulcanisation of rubber
Drawbacks :
1) Large water absorption capacity
2) Low tensile strength
3) Non-resistant
• Thus, the polymer sample contains chains of varying lengths and hence
its molecular mass is always expressed as an average.