General Information about Polymer

Polymer, many parts as a word meaning we can think. It is a substance that can generate itself by entering the chain reaction formed by the sequential sequences of monomers. In all areas of life, and if the polymer material suddenly disappears, vital functions may come to a halt. Polymer hair care materials, food products, plastic materials are available. Almost every product you can think of is a polymer.

Polymer Types

Polymers can be found in many varieties, but are generally found under two headings. They are naturally divided into self-formed polymers and man-made synthetically formed polymers. The polymers we found out there can be analyzed under three headings;

1) Thermoplastics

Polymers of this type of polymer are generally present in crystalline or amorphous form. Although they are flexible in general, their durability is low. Therefore, they are mostly used in the production of plastic products.

2) Thermosets

They are generally more durable than thermoplastics. Usually used in vehicle production and spare parts. Large amounts of thermosets are used in the bumpers of the cars and in the parts called the fender. Although they are durable and durable, when they encounter extreme heat, they can have big shreds at the slightest impact. Products that are produced with thermosets can be durable for long years if used with caution. However, the products used to be discredited will be easily broken and disassembled.

3) Elastomers

This type of polymer is more prominent with its flexible and robustness. Products produced by elastomers have a very high stretching rate. They can be easily deformed in any stroke, but due to the polymeric materials in it, they can easily return to their initial production. Metal parts of the cars are very large elastomers. In this way, they can easily return to their previous state with the procedures to be performed after an accident.

SEE ALSO: What is Honeycomb Structure?

Polymer Physical Properties

Secondary bond forces allow the molecules to be held together in solid or liquid phases. Most physical properties such as volatility, viscosity, surface tension, friction properties, mixing and dissolution depend on intermolecular forces. A molecule with strong polar groups has a high attraction force on its neighbors.

This causes boiling and melting points to rise. If the intermolecular forces are small, the bond energies are low and there are flexible chains in the molecules, the polymer shows elastomer. Elastomers can be described as materials that are elongated when the force is applied at room temperature and when the force applied at room temperature can be restored (such as the package tire).

If the intermolecular forces are large and the bond energies are high and there are crowded side groups, then they have the typical plastic characteristic even though hard chains are present. Very high bond strength, resistance to stress, very strong and particularly good fiber properties allows the fibers to show.

Molecular Order of Polymers

The polymers may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or solution. Structure differences in these cases; thermal, mechanical, and physical properties. The chemical formula and morphology of the polymers are also important. Morphology; the presence, size, and layout of the crystalline or amorphous regions of the polymer.

A solid polymer has three basic patterns;

• Amorphous structure
• Crystalline structure
• Directed structure

Amorphous Structure

Organic chemistry is a branch of science where you will achieve more lasting achievements when you bring your imagination. You can also duplicate samples similar to the examples given in this module. If we think we’re looking into an amorphous polymer, we can look like a plate of spaghetti or a living worm or a snake. The chains that make up the polymer consistently make nice twisting and twisting movements.

Crystalline Structure

While most of the commercial polymers are amorphous, the polymer chains in the other part are similar to regular crystal structures. While the polymers are in solid form, they generally show an amorphous and crystalline mixture instead of a 100 percent crystalline structure. Briefly, crystalline polymers have a certain percentage of crystallinity. Crystalline polymers are thought to be dispersed within the structure.

Fringe Misel, one of the two models describing the semi-crystalline polymer structure, was developed in the 1930s. According to this model, the crystalline and amorphous regions in the solid polymer form two separate phases. Polymer chains pass through many crystal and amorphous regions. In the fringes, the chains are intertwined and in a complex conformation. These regions are amorphous and, when an external force is applied to the polymer, these regions first show an elongation.

Polymer Orientation

The orientation is observed in the polymeric fiber, film, and foams. If a molten polymer is cooled, an amorphous or crystalline solid structure is formed at random orientation. If the polymeric material is withdrawn during the solidification, the polymer chains are oriented in the drawing direction. In order for the direction to occur, the chains must have certain mobility within the structure. Therefore, orientation is based on amorphous regions. If there are not enough amorphous regions in the crystal structure, orientation does not occur.

The polymer in the Life

Many of the products we drink are self-formed or contain polymer substances that people add to it. For example, in many products such as starch, flour, bread, the polymer material can be found. In addition, many of the shoes we wear are polymer. In packaging products, PVC coating pipes have a high amount of polymer. It is found in the polymers that the human body produces on its own and in certain amounts its stores.

If Polymers Disappeared?

If all of the polymers in life had disappeared, humanity could disappear without being too long. First of all, because of the evolution of the foods we eat and the collapse of the products we produce, life stops and then the world’s functions are lost and the world is silent. Therefore, the world polymer industry is seen as more important than many types of machinery and engineering industries. The importance of production in developed countries is notable in underdeveloped or developing countries.