Effect of Chemical Structure upon Physical Properties

Effect of Chemical Structure Upon Physical Properties  

Nylon 6-6 Poly(vinyl acetate) Poly(n-butyl methacrylate) Poly(methyl acrylate) 

Poly(vinylidine fluoride) Poly(n-butyl acrylate) 

Linear polymers that possess only single bonds in their backbones between atoms, C-C, or C-0, or C-N, can undeigo rapid conformational changes. Also, ether, imine, or ct double bonds reduce energy barriers and, as a result, soften the chains, causing the polymer to become more rubbery and nlore soluble in various solvents. The opposite is true of cyclic structures in the backbones. Actually, cyclic structures not only inhibit conformational changes but can also make crystallization more difficult. 

Among the polymers of cr-olefins, the structures of the pendant groups can influence the melting point. All linear polyethylene melts between 132-136 (see Table 1.2). When the length of the 

---