Introduction Types of Polymers and Classification

The word polymer literally means many parts. A polymer is a macromolecule that contains many groups of atoms, called monomeric units, that are covalently bonded. The simplest hydrocarbon chain polymer is polyethylene, with the general formula  

The number of ethylene monomeric units, n, can reach values between 10 and 10 . For high molecular weight chains, terminal groups and 4 2 are present in low concentrations and will therefore have no effect on the 

The nomenclature of polymers is somewhat complex, due in part to the fact that the majority of polymers have more than one correct name moreover, in some cases the registered trade names are also used to denote some polymers. The criterion adopted here is to use names that most clearly and simply state the chemical structures of the polymers. The polymers in Tables 1.1a and 1.1b have been named following the basic rules of nomenclature. Thus, the prefix poly is placed before the name of the monomer, and the name of the monomer is set within parentheses unless it is a simple word. In the case of repeating units containing more than one monomer (examples in Table 1.1b), the words contained in parentheses after the prefix poly must describe the chemical structure of the repeating unit. 

Alternating copolymers are those consisting of just two types of repeating units arranged alternately along the polymer chain  

The properties of statistical, random, and alternating copolymers generally are intermediate to those of the parent homopolymers. 

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