Ch 9 - Polymers Flashcards
What is a polymer?
Large molecules made by joining smaller molecules called monomers in a polymerisation reaction.
What is a monomer>
Simple molecule that is strung together to make polymers
What are copolymers?
Two or more monomers are joined into the polymer
What are thermosoftening polymers?
Polymers that can be repeatdly heated, cooled, moulded and reshaped.eg poly vinyl chloride
What are thermosetting polymers?
Polymers that dont melt when heated, only char. cannot be reshaped and must be moulded when first made.
what is addition polymerisation?
Polymerisation where a double bond is broken and additional monomers can be joined together using the electrons freed from the double bond.
What are the two types of polymers?
natural and synthetic
How is ethene polymerised?
Subjected to high pressure until its liquid, then heated with a catalyst ( bit of O2) until addition reaction occurs.Polyethene is created
How do we name polymers?
POLY- monomer
How does the extent of branching change the properties of a polymer?
Branches keep the chains apart. so the attraction between them is weaker- producing low density substance.Not much branching allows carbon chains to come close, forming HDPE
Where does ethene come from usually?
Cracking of natural gas or naptha
How do side branches affect polymers?
If side branches are on one side, its ISOTACTIC and the polymer chains can get close and so its dense.If side branches are wherever they want to be the polymer is ATACTIC and molecules cant get close making a low density substance.
How does cross linking affect polymers?
If theres a small amount of cross linking, asn elastomer is produced, like vulcanised rubber.When heaps of cross linking is introduced, the polymer is thermosetting and the polymer is strongly bonded in all 3 dimensions.
What is cross linking?
Bonding between chains of polymers
How do we make a themosetting polymer?
Heat or chemicals join long linear chains at their lateral functional group.