Page 5 - POLYMER TECHNOLOGY

CHAPTER 1: POLYMER STRUCTURE

1.1 Introduction to Polymer.

In general, polymeric materials can be divided into two main groups, namely plastic
and elastomer.

POLYMER

PLASTIC ELASTOMER

Figure 1.1: Two main groups polymeric material.

Plastic materials are widely used in daily life such as plastic bags, plastic packaging,
plastic bottles, TV cabinets, children's toys and other items. Plastic products are widely
used in the manufacturing industry due to their lightweight, flexible, impact resistant,
easy to process, beautiful and translucent properties as well as easy to colour as
needed, easy to mould, non -rusty and cheap.
Elastomer materials are usually known as rubber are wide used for pencil erasers,
rubber bands, rubber tires and tubes for vehicles, belts, hoses, gloves, toy balloons,
and adhesives. Polymer in terms of its chemical structure is a material constructed
from small molecular repeating units connected through covalent bonds with the help
of pressure heat. A small recurring unit connected will produce a macro molecule or
polymer. The resulting polymer is used in the manufacturing industry as consumer
goods.

1.2 Source of Polymer Materials

a. Natural

The production of organic polymers is limited and its raw material sources consist of
natural organic matter derived from cellulose found in plants as well as vegetables,
skin, hair, muscles, nails, tendons in animals and natural rubber from rubber tree.

Silk

Proteins

Natural Polymer Cellulose

DNA

Natural Rubber

Figure 1.2: Show Natural Polymer Sources

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