Polymer Formation
• There are two types of polymerization
– Addition (or chain) polymerization
– Condensation (step) polymerization
Chapter 17 - 1
Addition (Chain) Polymerization
– Initiation
– Propagation
– Termination
Chapter 17 - 2
Condensation (Step)
Polymerization
Chapter 17 - 3
Polymer Additives
Improve mechanical properties, processability,
durability, etc.
• Fillers
– Added to improve tensile strength & abrasion
resistance, toughness & decrease cost
– ex: carbon black, silica gel, wood flour, glass,
limestone, talc, etc.
• Plasticizers
– Added to reduce the glass transition
temperature Tg below room temperature
– Presence of plasticizer transforms brittle polymer to a
ductile one
– Commonly added to PVC - otherwise it is brittle
Chapter 17 - 4
Polymer Additives (cont.)
• Stabilizers
– Antioxidants
– UV protectants
• Lubricants
– Added to allow easier processing
– polymer “slides” through dies easier
– ex: sodium stearate
• Colorants
– Dyes and pigments
• Flame Retardants
– Substances containing chlorine, fluorine, and boron
Chapter 17 - 5
Processing of Plastics
• Thermoplastic
– can be reversibly cooled & reheated, i.e. recycled
– heat until soft, shape as desired, then cool
– ex: polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene.
• Thermoset
– when heated forms a molecular network
(chemical reaction)
– degrades (doesn’t melt) when heated
– a prepolymer molded into desired shape, then
chemical reaction occurs
– ex: urethane, epoxy
Chapter 17 - 6
Processing Plastics – Compression Molding
Thermoplastics and thermosets
• polymer and additives placed in mold cavity
• mold heated and pressure applied
• fluid polymer assumes shape of mold
Fig. 17.36, Callister & Rethwisch 9e.
(From F. W. Billmeyer, Jr., Textbook of
Polymer Science, 3rd edition. Copyright ©
1984 by John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Reprinted by permission of John Wiley &
Sons, Inc.)
Chapter 17 - 7
Processing Plastics – Injection Molding
Thermoplastics and some thermosets
• when ram retracts, plastic pellets drop from hopper into barrel
• ram forces plastic into the heating chamber (around the
spreader) where the plastic melts as it moves forward
• molten plastic is forced under pressure (injected) into the mold
cavity where it assumes the shape of the mold
Fig. 17.37, Callister & Rethwisch 9e.
(From F. W. Billmeyer, Jr., Textbook of
Polymer Science, 3rd edition. Copyright ©
1984 by John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Reprinted by permission of John Wiley &
Sons, Inc.)
Barrel
Chapter 17 - 8
Processing Plastics – Extrusion
thermoplastics
• plastic pellets drop from hopper onto the turning screw
• plastic pellets melt as the turning screw pushes them
forward by the heaters
• molten polymer is forced under pressure through the
shaping die to form the final product (extrudate)
Fig. 17.38, Callister & Rethwisch 9e.
(Reprinted with permission from Encyclopædia
Britannica, © 1997 by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.)
Chapter 17 - 9
Blow Molding
First, a parison, or
length of polymer tubing, is
extruded. While still in a
semimolten state, the parison is
placed in a two-piece mold having
the desired container configuration.
The hollow piece is formed by
blowing air or steam under
pressure into the parison, forcing
the tube walls to conform to the
contours of the mold. Of course the
temperature and viscosity of the
parison must be carefully
regulated.
Chapter 17 - 10
Processing Plastics – Blown-Film
Extrusion
Fig. 17.39, Callister & Rethwisch 9e.
(Reprinted with permission from Encyclopædia
Britannica, © 1997 by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.)
Chapter 17 - 11
