Polymers: Fundamentals & Production

Introduction

Polymers are a central component of our daily lives and have a wide range of applications, from packaging materials to textiles to advanced applications in electronics and medicine. In this paper we will explain the topic of polymers by looking at what polymers are, how they differ from plastics and how they are made.

What is polymer?

A polymer is a large molecule made up of many smaller molecules, called monomers, that are chemically linked together. These molecules form long chains or networks. Polymers can be natural (like DNA, proteins and cellulose) or synthetic (like plastics and rubber). Their properties vary greatly and depend on the type and arrangement of the monomers.

What is the difference between polymers and plastics?

All plastics are polymers, but not all polymers are plastics. Plastics are a subset of synthetic polymers that are able to change and retain their shape under certain conditions. Polymers that are not plastics include natural biopolymers such as proteins and DNA, and synthetic polymers such as epoxies and silicones that do not have plastic properties.

How are polymers made?

Polymers are made through a reaction known as polymerisation. In this process, many monomers are joined together to form long polymer chains. There are two main types of polymerisation: chain polymerisation and step polymerisation. In chain polymerisation, the polymer is built up step by step, with each monomer adding to the end of the growing chain. In step polymerisation, monomers with more than one reactive center react with each other to form networks.

The most important points about polymers

Property	Description
Structure	Polymers are large molecules consisting of repeating subunits (monomers).
Types	Polymers can be natural or synthetic. Plastics are a subgroup of synthetic polymers.
Production	Polymers are produced by a chemical reaction known as polymerisation.
Applications	Polymers have a wide range of applications, from packaging materials and textiles to advanced applications in electronics and medicine.

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