POLYMERS

POLYMERS

1. In greek: "many parts"

2. high molecular mass that is composed of a large number of repeating units. These units, called monomers, are connected by covalent chemical bonds.

3. Natural polymers

   • Many biological macromolecules as nucleic acid and proteins
   • have both structural roles and physiological functions

4. Synthetic polymers

   • an be produced commercially, and are traditionally derived from petroleum products.
   • The most common synthetic polymers are plastics such as polyethylene and nylon

5. How Polymers Formed

   • is the process of covalently bonding the smaller monomers into the polymer
   • Condensation (dehydration) reaction: Formation of proteins chains by joining amino acid monomers is an example of condensation
   • Addition reaction

6. Polymers plastics, are classified

   • Thermoplastic: They can be softened by heat and then reformed.
   • Thermosetting: They cannot be softened by heat and the remolded.

Images and files in the map