This document discusses polymers including their classification, types, characteristics, and applications. Polymers are large molecules composed of many repeating structural units. They can be natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic and are classified based on source, structure, composition, polymerization method, molecular forces, and backbone chain. Common types include linear, branched, and cross-linked polymers as well as homopolymers and copolymers. Polymerization occurs through addition or condensation reactions. Polymers exhibit properties like being thermoplastic, thermosetting, or elastic. They have various applications in medicine, consumer goods, industry, and sports.

2. a) Introduction
b) Classification
c) Types of Polymerizations
d) Characteristics
e) Applications

3. A word Polymer is a combination of two Greek
words “Poly” means Many and “Meros” means
Parts or units .
Many of natural and synthetic compounds
of usually high molecular weight consisting upto
millions of repeated units , each a relatively light
and simple molecule is known as a Polymer .

4. The following are the some common
classification of Polymers :
1. By source
2. by structure
3. By composition
4. By mode of polymerization
5. By molecular force
6. By backbone of the chain

5. 1) Natural Polymers : They are found in plants
and animals ( example Protein ,
cellulose,stach,resins and rubber)
2) Semi-synthetic Polymers : Cellulose
derivatives are cellulose acetate (rayon)
3) Synthetic Polymers : Such as plastic
(polythene), synthetic fibers (nylon 6,6), and
synthetic rubbers (Buna-S) are examples of
man-made polymers .

6.  Linear Polymers : They consist of long and straight
chains , the examples are high density polythene ,PVP,
etc . They are commonly relatively soft .
 Branched Polymers : These polymers contain linear
chains having some branches e.g. low density
polythene
 Cross-linked Polymers : They are usually formed from
bi-functional and tri-functional monomers and contain
strong covalent bonds between various linear polymer
chains e.g. vulcanized rubber, urea-formaldehyde resins
etc. They are hard and don’t melt

7.  Homopolymer: A polymer resulting from the
polymerization of a single monomer ; a
polymer consisting substantially of a single
type of repeating unit .
 Copolymer : When two different types of
monomers are joined in the same polymer
chain , the polymer is called as a Copolymer.

8.  Addition polymers : They are formed by
direct addition of repeated monomers
without the elimination of product molecules
e.g. Polyethylene , PVC,teflon,PVP.
 Condensation Polymers: They are formed by
the condensation of two (or) more monomers
with the elimination of simple molecules like
(H2o,NH3 HCL) e.g. Terylene,bakelite,alkyl
resin, nylon 66 etc.

9.  Thermoplastic: They are soften on heating and
harden on cooling reversibly e.g.
polyethylene,PVC,teflon
 Thermosetting: They undergo permanent
change on heating e.g. Bakelite,Polyester
 Elastomers: They are amorphous with a high
degree of elasticity e.g. Natural rubber
 Fibers: They have quite strong interparticle
force such as H-bond with high tensile strength
and high modulus e.g. Nylon and
polyacrylontrile.

10. 1)Addition Polymerization:
a) Initiation reaction.
B) Propagation reaction .
c) Termination reaction .
2) Condensation Polymerization .

11. LOW DENSITY.
LOW COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION.
GOOD CORROSION RESISTANCE.
GOOD MOULD ABILITY.
EXCELLENT SURFACE FINISH CAN BE OBTAINED.
CAN BE PRODUCED WITH CLOSE DIMENSIONAL
TOLERANCES.
ECONOMICAL.
POOR TENSILE STRENGTH.
LOW MECHANICAL PROPERTIES.
POOR TEMPERATURE RESISTANCE.
CAN BE PRODUCED TRANSPARENT OR IN DIFFERENT
COLOURS

12.  Medicine
 Consumer science
 Industry
 Sport