Part 1.

Introduction to Polymer Science

4th edition
L. H. Sperling
ISBN 0-471-70606-X

Midterm + Final 50 %

Quizzes 50 %
1. Introduction to Polymer Science
2. Chain Structure and Configuration
3. Dilute Solution
4. Concentrated Solution
5. The amorphous state
6. The crystalline state
7. Polymers in the liquid crystalline state
8. Glass-Rubber Transition Behavior
9. Cross-linked Polymers and Rubber Elasticty
10. Polymer Viscoelasticity and Rheology
11. Mechanical Behavior of Polymers
12. Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces
13. Muticomponent Polymeric Materials
14. Modern Polymer Topics
 Part 2.
Polymer Crystallography

Crystallization Mechanism
Diffraction (WAXS/SAXS)
Chapter 1. Introduction to Polymer Science
Polymer comes from life
From Caouchouc (weeping tree) to vulcanized rubber
 Vulcanization of natural rubber

Charles Goodyear (1800-1860)

Macromolecular Hypothesis

HERMANN STAUDINGER (1881-1965)

1953 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

for his discoveries in the field of
macromolecular chemistry.
Background
Residence: Germany
1.1 From little molecules to big molecules
 Alkane/Polyethylene

Monomer oligomer polymer

Molecular weight-melting temperature relationship for the alkane series

Tm of PE
Comparison of wax and polyethylene structure and morphology
 Entanglement of polymer chains

Low molecular weight High molecular weight

No entanglement Chains are entangled
1.2 Molecular weight and molecular weight distributions
1.2.1 Effect on tensile strength

sb is tenile stress to break

Mn is the number-average molecular weight
A and B are constants
1.2.2 Molecular weight average

Number average molecular weight

Weight average molecular weight

Mw/Mn: polydispersity index

1.3 Major polymer transition

1. Glassy
2. glassy transition
3. rubbery plateau
4. Rubbery flow
5. Viscous flow
 1.4 Polymer synthesis and structure

1.4.1 Chain polymerization

1.4.1.1 Free Radical polymerization
Initiation
Propagation
termination

1.4.1.2 initiation
1.4.1.3 propagation

1.4.1.4 termination
 1.4.2 Step polymerization

1.4.2.1 A polyester condensation reaction

Nylon 4

Nylon 48
1.4.2.2 Stepwise nomenclature and structures
 1.5 Cross-linking, plasticizers, and fillers

The cross-linking of rubber with sulfur is called vulcanization

1.7 Historical development of industrial polymers
PE PB

PP
PI

PS

PAN
 PVAC
PVA

PVC
Teflon

PMMA
 POM PPO

Nylon66

PEO

PET Nylon6