Polymer Structures
Callister Chapter 14
TEM image showing spherulite
structure in a natural polymer
Lecture 3
Instructor: Dr. Majid Khan
Chapter 14 - 1
, Chapter 14:
Polymer Structures
ISSUES TO ADDRESS...
• What are the general structural and chemical
characteristics of polymer molecules?
• What are some of the common polymeric
materials, and how do they differ chemically?
• How is the crystalline state in polymers different
from that in metals and ceramics ?
Chapter 14 - 2
, What is a Polymer?
Poly mer
many repeat unit
repeat repeat repeat
unit unit unit
H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H
C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C
H H H H H H H Cl H Cl H Cl H CH3 H CH3 H CH3
Polyethylene (PE) Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) Polypropylene (PP)
Adapted from Fig. 14.2, Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
Chapter 14 - 3
, Ancient Polymers
• Originally natural polymers were used
– Wood – Rubber
– Cotton – Wool
– Leather – Silk
• Oldest known uses
– Rubber balls used by Incas
– Noah used pitch (a natural polymer)
for the ark
Chapter 14 - 4
Callister Chapter 14
TEM image showing spherulite
structure in a natural polymer
Lecture 3
Instructor: Dr. Majid Khan
Chapter 14 - 1
, Chapter 14:
Polymer Structures
ISSUES TO ADDRESS...
• What are the general structural and chemical
characteristics of polymer molecules?
• What are some of the common polymeric
materials, and how do they differ chemically?
• How is the crystalline state in polymers different
from that in metals and ceramics ?
Chapter 14 - 2
, What is a Polymer?
Poly mer
many repeat unit
repeat repeat repeat
unit unit unit
H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H
C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C
H H H H H H H Cl H Cl H Cl H CH3 H CH3 H CH3
Polyethylene (PE) Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) Polypropylene (PP)
Adapted from Fig. 14.2, Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
Chapter 14 - 3
, Ancient Polymers
• Originally natural polymers were used
– Wood – Rubber
– Cotton – Wool
– Leather – Silk
• Oldest known uses
– Rubber balls used by Incas
– Noah used pitch (a natural polymer)
for the ark
Chapter 14 - 4
