Polymers Flashcards
Low density (LD) and high density (HD) poly(ethene) are produced using different what?
Catalysts and reaction conditions
What do the properties of polymers depend on?
What monomers they are made from and the conditions under which they are made
What will thermosoftening polymers do when heated?
Soften or melt. They can be hated and remoulded. They are made of a tangle of separate polymer chains
Why are thermosoftening polymers easy to melt?
Because the forces between polymer chains (intermolecular forces) are very weak so are easily broken
Thermosetting polymers will not soften when heated so are more… What?
Heat resistant this makes them suitable for making electric kettles. if they are strongly heated they char.
What do thermosetting polymers have many of?
Covalent cross links between the polymer chains. This prevents polymer chains sliding past each other so they are rigid and heat resistant
