Page 9 - POLYMER TECHNOLOGY

1.4 Type of Polymer Structure and Molecules

Chain Structure

The chain structure of a polymer is a long chain molecule called a macromolecule or
a giant molecule formed through a polymerization process connected to monomers.
Polymers generally consist of more than one type of chain structure. Apart from
having a linear structure the polymer also has a branch, cross link chain and network
structure. This gives different properties to the polymer. Most of the properties of
polymers depend largely on the arrangement of the individual structures of the
polymer molecules, the shape and size of the molecules.

a. Linear Chain Structure

A linear chain structure is a straight polymer chain structure. Figure 1.4, shows the
linear chain structure of a polymer.

Figure 1.4: Linear Chain Structure.

b. Branch Chain Structure

A branch chain structure has a sides chain or branch. Figure 1.5, show the branch
chain structure of polymer.

Figure 1.5: Branch Chain Structure.

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