Polyoxymethylene copolymer, structure

Figure 5.9 Chemical structure of polyoxymethylene copolymer monomers.

This depolymerisation is inherent in the polymer structure and can be prevented by either making a copolymer (such that when un-zipping reaches the co-monomer moiety it is stopped from going any further (e.g., POM (polyoxymethylene) in which a few percent of ethylene oxide has been incorporated), or by using free radical traps (see anti-oxidants). 

Acetal resin is a general term used for high molecular weight polymers and copolymers derived from formaldehyde. The name of polyoxymethylene conforms better with the structure of the repeat unit (—OCH2—) . In... 

Polyacetals, also referred to as polyoxymethylenes (POMs) or polyfonnalde-hydes, are a semicrystalline engineering thermoplastic polymerized as a homopolymer and copolymer. The homopolymer and copolymer have somewhat different molecular structures and performance values. The difference between performance values is narrowing with new formulations (compounds). Polyacetal engineering thermoplastics were introduced to the world in 1956 with the potential of replacing metals, aluminum, brass, and cast zinc, which polyacetals continue to do. 

There is a series of polymers having a chemical structure — [(CHR) —O— which are derived as polyacetal resins, and are known as polyalkyene oxides or polyalkylene glycols. In the above structure, the polymer with R=H and M = 1 is polyoxymethylene, which is known as Delrin. This material is a high polymer of formaldehyde, which is terminated by an ether or ester function added to stabilize the final product. Other manufactured products include copolymers with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide. The IR and Raman spectra of polyoxymethylene are shown in Reference Spectrum 55. A strong peak at 1098 cm and a doublet at 936 and 900 cm in the IR spectrum are assigned to the C—O—C stretching vibration. It is not possible to determine if the sample is a homopolymer or copolymer from this spectrum. 

The short-term thermal properties of POM are essentially determined by the crystalline structure of the material. In the short term, polyoxymethylene can be heated without damage almost up to its melt range. The crystalline segments of homopolymers melt at approx. 175 °C, or some 10 °C higher than in copolymers at approx. 164 to 167 °C [501]. 

Acetal homopolymer is a highly crystalline thermoplastic manufactured by polymerization of formaldehyde and capping the two ends of the polymer chain with acetate groups (Table 6.2). It is called polyoxymethylene (POM) and has a backbone consisted of repeating —CH2O—units. Acetal copolymers are produced by copolymerization of trioxane and small amounts of a comonomer. The comonomer randomly distributes carbon—carbon bonds in the polymer chain, which stabilizes the resin against environmental degradation. The low cost of acetals compared to other polymers with similar performance and their mechanical, chemical, and electrical properties, allows them to replace metal and other structural materials in many applications. 

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