Polymer Structure

Question 1

What are the two types of polymers?

Answer 1

Thermoplastics or thermosoftening, and thermosets or thermosetting

Question 2

Differentiate thermoplastic from thermosets

Answer 2

Thermoplastics are moldable, consist of tangled web polymer chains, and are attracted by weak - intermolecular forces, while thermosets cannot be melted once shaped, consist of cross links between molecules, and are attracted by strong - intramolecular forces.

Question 3

What are the four types of polymer structure?

Answer 3

Linear, branched, crosslinked, and networked polymers

Question 4

It resembles a spaghetti with long chains

Answer 4

Linear polymers (Thermoplastics)

Question 5

There are shorter chains hanging from a spaghetti backbone and it tends to be less dense than linear polymers.

Answer 5

Branched polymers

Question 6

It resembles ladders since the charge link from one bone to another and tied together by covalent bonding.

Ex. Hair structure - Disulfide bonds (SS)

Answer 6

Crosslinked polymers

Question 7

These are complex polymers that are heavily linked to form network of 3D linkages. These are nearly impossible to soften when heating without degrading the underlying polymer structure.

Answer 7

Networked polymers (Thermosetting)

Question 8

Long chains

Answer 8

Linear polymer

Question 9

Held together by covalent bonding

Answer 9

Crosslinked polymer

Question 10

Held together by weaker van der waals forces

Answer 10

Linear polymer