There are 3 principal classes of polymers – thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers. Differentiation between these classes is best defined by their behaviour under applied heat. Thermoplastics may take on amorphous or crystalline structures. In thermoplastics the long chain molecules exist in the form of linear bonding but are also bonded to each other by secondary Van Der Waals forces (secondary bonds). At a high enough heat the excitation of the molecular chains is enough to overcome this binding force and they are free to move over one another thereby creating a viscous liquid. The secondary bonds can be envisaged to have melted. The glass transition (Tg) temperature can be envisaged as the temperature at which the secondary bonds melt. When the polymer is cooled the secondary forces once again dominate and the molecular chains revert back to a restricted state. This means that thermoplastics can be melted and remelted allowing them to be easily recycled. In thermosetting plastics the long chain molecules exist in an amorphous network with cross-linked bonding. This means that the long molecular chains are attached to each other by covalent bonds. The formation of these cross-links is known as curing. Cross-linking sets the molecular chains in place and therefore means that a thermosetting plastic cannot be remelted but will instead decompose upon being heated to a temperature above the Tg. Cross-linking inhibits molecular arrangement into an ordered crystalline structure meaning that thermosetting polymers only exist in the amorphous state. In elastomers the long molecular chains exist in the form of amorphous linear bonding with occasional cross-linking. At room temperature the level of excitation of the chains has already overcome the secondary Van Der Waals bonds, however, the cross-links that exist in the structure act to revert the elastomer back to its original form following deformation.Thermoplastics
Thermosets
Elastomers
FAQs
Polymer types | School of Materials Science and Engineering - UNSW Sydney? ›
There are 3 principal classes of polymers – thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers.
What is the ranking of materials science at UNSW? ›At UNSW Sydney, the discipline of Materials Science is ranked #38 in the world in the 2023 QS ranking.
What is polymer in material engineering? ›A polymer (the name means "many parts") is long chain molecule made up many repeating units, called monomers. Polymers can be natural (organic) or synthetic.
What is MSc polymer science? ›The Polymer Materials Science and Engineering MSc is a multidisciplinary course with the aim of giving students a rich understanding of the chemistry, properties, processing, characterisation and application of polymers.
What are the classification of polymers? ›The polymers are divided into 3 types depending on their source of availability. They are natural, synthetic, and semisynthetic polymers. Natural polymers are present in plants and animals and exist naturally. Proteins, starch, cellulose, and rubber are a few examples.
Is UNSW a prestigious university? ›UNSW Sydney has been named among the world's top universities for 47 subjects in the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject. Six UNSW subjects are ranked in the top 20 globally, and 19 are in the top 50.
What major is UNSW known for? ›Six of UNSW's subjects are in the world's top 20, including accounting & finance, environmental sciences, and several engineering specialisations. UNSW also offers the world's first bachelor's degree in quantum engineering as well as Australia's most in-demand medicine degrees.
What are the 5 types of engineering polymers? ›There are basically five types of engineering polymers. They are polyphenel, polyester, polyoxmethylene, polymide and polycarbonate.
What are four types of polymers? ›Types of polymers. There are several types of polymers. Among the main ones are: natural, synthetic, addition, condensation and rearrangement.
Why study polymer engineering? ›With training in polymer engineering and technology, you might work as a polymer engineer, studying plastics and other polymers at the molecular level, selecting polymers for new applications and testing or processing plastics for new products.
Is polymer science a good career? ›
Careers in Polymer Science
It also offers jobs in the public sector like in ONGC, GAIL and other known companies. The various job profiles are polymer engineer, chemical engineer, and technology manager, etc. It also offers a good career in research and development.
Polymer Chemist salary in India ranges between ₹ 2.0 Lakhs to ₹ 9.5 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 4.0 Lakhs. Salary estimates are based on 20 latest salaries received from Polymer Chemists. 1 - 4 years exp.
What does a polymer scientist do? ›A polymer scientist designs new materials, such as cellulose, rubber, Kevlar, and Teflon, which are then used to make products. They work in a lab setting with a team of researchers, trying different formulations to create new polymers.
How many general classes of polymers are there? ›There are 3 principal classes of polymers – thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers. Differentiation between these classes is best defined by their behaviour under applied heat. Thermoplastic polymers can be either amorphous or crystalline. They behave in a relatively ductile manner but often have low strength.
What are the two main categories of polymers? ›There are two types of polymers: synthetic and natural. Synthetic polymers are derived from petroleum oil, and made by scientists and engineers. Examples of synthetic polymers include nylon, polyethylene, polyester, Teflon, and epoxy. Natural polymers occur in nature and can be extracted.
What are the 4 main classes of polymers in living things? ›The four main classes of biological polymers are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Is UNSW top 50 universities in the world? ›The Times Higher Education World University Rankings include 1,904 universities across 108 countries and regions. Although UNSW's ranking has dropped from 2023, we are one of six Australian universities ranked in the top 100.
What is UTK materials science ranked? ›- Biosystems engineering (in the Herbert College of Agriculture) ranks 17th.
- Materials science ranks 26th.
- Aerospace engineering ranks 27th.
- Electrical engineering ranks 29th.
- Industrial and manufacturing systems ranks 31st.
| World Rankings | 2023 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Leiden Rankings | 50 (1st in Australia) | |
| QS World University Rankings in Computer Science & Information Systems | 57th (3rd in Australia) | 59th (4th in Australia) |
| ARWU for Computer Science and Engineering | 51-75 (4th in Australia) | |
| Times Higher Education World University Rankings | 54 |
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