Uses of Polymers | Structure, Types and Characteristics of Polymers

Structure, Types and Characteristics of Polymers

A polymer is a large molecule composed of many repeated subunits. These subunits are called monomers and are usually connected by covalent bonds. Polymers can have different structures, depending on the monomers that are used to make them. Uses of Polymers | Structure Types and Characteristics of Polymers.

There are three main types of polymers:

– Polyethylene is made from the monomer ethylene. It is a hard, durable plastic that is used to make bottles, bags, and other containers.

– Polypropylene is made from the monomer propylene. It is a hard, durable plastic that is used to make bottles, bags, and other containers.

– Polyvinyl chloride is made from the monomers vinyl chloride and ethylene. It is a soft, flexible plastic that is used to make pipes, hoses, and other plumbing fixtures.

Structures of Polymers:

There are two types of polymer structures, linear and branched. Linear polymers are made of long chains of repeating units, while branched polymers have chains that branch off from other chains. Uses of Polymers | Structure Types and Characteristics of Polymers.

Both linear and branched polymers can be made of either homopolymers or copolymers. Homopolymers are made of only one type of repeating unit, while copolymers are made of two or more types of repeating units.

The structure of a polymer can affect its properties. For example, linear polymers are more likely to be strong and stiff, while branched polymers are more likely to be flexible.

Different Types of Polymers:

Polymers are large molecules composed of many repeating smaller molecules. There are many types of polymers, each with their own unique properties. Some common types of polymers include:

1. Plastics: Plastics are synthetic polymers that are typically made from petrochemicals. They are often used in products such as bottles, bags, and packaging.

2. Elastomers: Elastomers are synthetic polymers that are stretchy and elastic. They are often used in products such as rubber bands and balloons.

3. Fibers: Fibers are natural or synthetic polymers that are thin and strong. They are often used in products such as clothes and carpets.

4. Resins: Resins are synthetic polymers that are used to make products such as paint and glue.

Classification of Polymers

There are many ways to classify polymers, but one way is to group them by their chemical structure. There are three main types of chemical structures for polymers:
1) Chain-based polymers
2) Cross-linked polymers
3) Network polymers

Chain-based polymers are the simplest type of polymer. They are made up of long chains of repeating units called monomers. The chains are held together by chemical bonds.

Cross-linked polymers are made up of chains that are connected to each other by chemical bridges. This gives them a more rigid structure than chain-based polymers.

Network polymers are made up of chains that are connected to each other in a three-dimensional network. This gives them a very rigid structure.

Characteristics:

-Comes in a variety of colors
-Is comfortable
-Is machine-washable
-Is made of 100% cotton
-Is a unisex shirt

The Uses of Polymers

Polymers have a variety of uses. They are used in products such as plastics, synthetic fibers, and rubber. Polymers are also used in the medical field as coatings for implants and in the pharmaceutical industry as coatings for pills.