Abbreviations:
HDPE: high density polyethylene | LDPE: low density polyethylene |
---|---|
PET: polyethylene terephthalate | PP: polypropylene |
PS: polystyrene | PVA: polyvinyl alcohol |
PVC: polyvinyl chloride |
addition polymerization: a chemical reaction in which simple molecules are linked together to form long chain molecules.
amorphous: non-crystalline polymer or non-crystalline areas in a polymer.
Bakelite: a polymer produced by the condensation of phenol and formaldehyde.
branched polymer: polymer having smaller chains attached to the polymer backbone.
cellulose: a natural polymer found in wood and other plant material.
composite polymer: a filled or reinforced plastic.
condensation polymer: one in which two or more molecules combine resulting in elimination of water or other simple molecules, with the process being repeated to form a long chain molecule.
configuration: related chemical structure produced by the making and breaking of primary valence bonds.
copolymer: a macromolecule consisting of more than one type of building unit.
creep: cold flow of a polymer.
cross-linking: occurs when primary valence bonds are formed between separate polymer chain molecules.
crystalline polymer: polymer with a regular order or pattern of molecular arrangement and a sharp melting point.
dimer: a polymer containing two monomers.
domains: sequences or regions in block copolymers.
elastomer: a type of polymer that exhibits rubber-like qualities.
Ekonol: a moldable, high temperature polymer.
end group: functional group at the end of a chain in polymers, e.g. carboxylic group.
extrusion: a fabrication process in which a heat-softened polymer is forced continually by a screw through a die.
filler: a relatively inert material used as the discontinuous phase of a polymer composite.
free radical: A chemical component that contains a free electron which covalently bonds with a free electron on another molecule.
homopolymer: a macromolecule consisting of only one type of building unit.
initiation: the start of a chain reaction with a source such as free radicals, peroxides, etc.
kevlar: a high strength polymer which can withstand high temperatures.
linear: polymers made up of one long continuous chain, without any excess
appendages or attachments.
material: a substance useful for structural purposes.
monomer: smallest repeating unit of a polymer.
nylon: a polymer used commonly in the textiles industry.
oligomer: a low molecular weight polymer in which the number of repeating units is approximately between two and ten.
polyethylene: the most extensively produced polymer.
polyester: a polymer with a COOR repeating unit.
polymer: a high molecular weight macromolecule made up of multiple repeating units.
polymerization: the chemical reaction in which high molecular mass molecules are formed from monomers.
polystyrene: a polymer commonly used in packaging.
propagation: the continuous successive chain extension in a polymer chain reaction.
Tg: glass transition temperature below which a polymer is a hard glassy material.
thermoplastic: a polymer which may be softened by heat and hardened by cooling in a reversible physical process.
thermoset: a network polymer obtained by cross-linking a linear polymer to make it infusible or insoluble.
Van der Waals forces: intermolecular attractions.
viscosity: the resistance to flow as applied to a solution or a molten solid.
vinyl chloride: the monomer used in PVC production.
vulcanization: cross-linking with heat and sulfur to toughen a polymer.
Source: Seymour and Carraher POLYMER CHEMISTRY Dekker 1993