Classification of Polymer Compounds

Several kinds of classification methods are used for polymer compounds. [Pg.11]

Polymers can be divided into natural, modified, and synthetic polymers. A natural polymer refers to a polymer compound existing in nature. Cotton, silk, starch, protein, wood, natural rubber, and so forth that we usually use in clothing, food, housing, and transport are natural polymer materials. [Pg.12]

A modified polymer, also called a semisynthetic polymer, is a natural polymer compound treated by a chemical reaction. The world s first man-made polymer material—cellulose nitrate—was made from natural cellulose, such as cotton or cotton cloth, that was treated with concentrated nitric acid and concentrated sulfuric acid. A synthetic polymer is a polymer compound synthesized by small molecular weight compounds through chemical methods. Examples of synthetic polymer materials are plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride and fibers such as polyester, nylon, and other synthetic fibers. [Pg.12]