This document provides an overview of polymers including their types, classifications, characteristics, and applications. It defines polymers as large molecules formed from monomers linking together in chains. Polymers are classified as natural, synthetic, or semisynthetic and characterized by their structure, including linear, branched, cross-linked, and network forms. Common polymers are used in medicine, consumer products, industry, and sports due to their light weight, low cost, and moldability.

1. POLYMERS
Presented By; Mr Ashok Kumar
M.Pharm 1st sem
Department : Pharmaceutics
GEETANJALI INSTITUTE OF PHARMACY

2. CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Types of Polymer
• Classification of Polymer
• Characteristics of Polymer
• Application
• References

3. INTRODUCTION
• Polymers are very large molecules made when hundreds of monomers join together
to form long chains .
• The word POLYMER comes from the Greek words poly means many and mer
means parts .
• Polymer is used as a synonym for plastic .
• All plastics are polymers , but not all polymers are plastics
N(CH2-CH2) (-CH2-CH2-)s
Ethylene Polyethylene

4. TYPES OF POLYMER
• Natural Polymers
• Homopolymer
• Copolymer
• Thermoplastics
• Thermosets
• Long chain Polymers

5. NATURAL POLYMERS
• Definition : Natural polymer is a polymer that results from
only raw materials that are found in nature .
• Some of these natural polymers include DNA and RNA
• Cotton , DNA , Wool , Wood are some of the naturally
occurring polymers.

6. HOMOPOLYMER
• Homopolymers are synthesized from a single type
of monomer .
• Homopolymers areconsists of chains with
identical bonding linkages to each monomer unit .
• This usually implies that the polymer is made
from all identical monomer molecules.

7. COPOLYMER
• When two or more different monomers togetherto polymerize their
result is called as copolymer .
• This process is called as copolymerization .
• Types of Copolymer :
I. Statistical copolymer
II. Alternating copolymer
III. Block copolymer
IV. Graft copolymer

8. THERMOPLASTIC
• A type of plastic that can be softened by heat , hardened by cooling , and
then softened by heat over and over again
• Thermoplastic are not cross – linked polymer .
• Examples : Polyethylene , Nylon , Polyvinyl chloride .

9. THERMOSETS
• Thermoset having the property of becoming permanently hard and rigid
when heated .
• Thermosets are hard and rigid at room temperature and do not soften on
heating .
• Examples : Epoxy resins , Phenolic resins , Unsaturated polyester resins

10. LONG CHAIN POLYMERS
• A very long strand of repeating molecules linked together by primary bond .
• Polymer chains are orient themselves in lines as they enter a mold but may
be annealed so they can recoil .

12. BASED ON ORIGIN OF SOURCE
• Natural natural Polymer :- Polymers which are isolated from materials are
called as Natural Polymers . E.g. Cotton , silk , wool , rubber.
• Synthetic Polymer :- Polymers which are synthesized from low molecular
weight compounds are called as Synthetic Polymers . E.g. : Polyethylene ,
nylon , terylene.
• Semisynthetic Polymers :- These polymers are mostly derived from naturally
occurring polymers by chemical modification . E.g. : Rayon

13. BASED ON STRUCTURE
• Linear Polymer : Molecules form long chains without
branches.
• Branched Polymer : Molecules having branch points that
connect 3 or more segments .
• Cross-Linked Polymer : It includes interconnections
between chains .
• Network Polymer : A cross linked polymer that includes
numerous interconnections between chains .

14. BASED ON MODE OF
POLYMERISATION
• Additional Polymerization :
🗸Same kind of monomers are straight forwardly added .
🗸 It is rapid chain reaction having chemically activated mers.
🗸Each reaction sets up the condition for another to proceed.
🗸 It consists of 3 stages :
INITIATION
(Birth)
PROPAGATION
(Growth)
TERMINATION
(Death)

15. CONT…
Condensation Polymerization :
🗸 It involves a polymerization reaction between two monomers with
the expulsion of a simple by product .
A+B AB + Simple by Product
🗸 It involves individual chemical reaction between reactive mer .
🗸By product is formed and condensed out .
🗸This reaction is slower than additional polymerization.
🗸Need reactive functional groups .

16. CHARACTERISTICS OF POLYMER
• Low density
• Low coefficient of friction
• Good corrosion resistance
• Good mould ability
• Poor tensile strength
• Low mechanical properties
• Poor temperature resistance
• Can be produced transparent or different colours

17. APPLICATION
• Medicine : Many biomaterials especially heart valve replacements and blood
vessels are made up of polymers like dacron , teflon .
• Consumer Science : Plastic containers of all shapes and sizes are light weight
and economically less expensive than more traditional containers .
• Industry : Automobile parts , pipes , tanks , packing material , adhesives are
all polymer application used in industrial market .
• Sports : Playground equipment , golf clubs , swimming pools and protective
helmets are produced from polymers.

18. REFERENCES
• Robinson J R and Lee V H ; Controlled Drug Delivery – Fundamentals and
Applications ; Marcel Dekker .
• Jain N K ; Controlled and Novel Drug Delivery ; CBS publication .