Polymer Science is a generic term covering the various subdivisions of the subject.
Polymer chemists are mostly interested in the task of making plastic substances from their precursor chemicals; by reacting ethylene, propene or other hydrocarbons with catalysts under appropriate conditions Eg high pressure. Plastics or thermoplastics are typically made by free radical chain reactions.
In contrast polymer resins or thermosets, another class of man made polymers, are made by cross linking various reactive momomers or oligomers together, Eg polyurethane paint when spread into a thin film eg on a wall, undergoes a cross linking reaction to form a resin; the crosslinking reaction is induced by atmospheric oxygen. Resins unlike plastics are essentially one big molecule !
That's why there are few if any solvents for them. In contrast plastics can be softened with solvents being linear in their structure at the molecular level.
The distribution of polymer chain lengths in a given plastic material is largely controlled by the kinetics of the free radical chain reaction, in the monomer to polymer conversion process. So you've got to like reaction kinetics if you want to be a polymer chemist ! Lots of physical chemistry.
Rubbers are amorphous thermoplastics above their glass transition temperature. Polymer spectroscopy carried out for polymer material identification purposes is also a speciality within the field of polymer chemistry. Also gel permeation chromatography or gpc which is another polymer characterization technique.
Polymer blending is another subject within polymer materials science. Also thermal analysis, using techniques such as TG, DTA, & DSC.
Turning to polymer engineering. Polymer engineers often have degrees in mechanical engineering. Polymer engineering concerns itself with the moulding or castings of polymer materials into useful engineering products. Things such as plastic buckets, rainwater goods, tyres, yacht hulls, plastic bottles, aircraft windows, plastic shopping bags, sneakers, shoes, car panels, train seats, aircraft interiors, vending machine tea cups, toys, sports equipment etc, the list goes on !
Polymer technology has a slightly broader remit covering subjects in addition to polymer engineering ranging from polymer additives for car engine oil ( Eg star polymers ), to medical polymers (Eg pace makers ), polymers in electronics, household paints, fabrics, rope, polythene beakers for hydrofluoric acid. In fact any useful application.
Polymer chemists are mostly interested in the task of making plastic substances from their precursor chemicals; by reacting ethylene, propene or other hydrocarbons with catalysts under appropriate conditions Eg high pressure. Plastics or thermoplastics are typically made by free radical chain reactions.
In contrast polymer resins or thermosets, another class of man made polymers, are made by cross linking various reactive momomers or oligomers together, Eg polyurethane paint when spread into a thin film eg on a wall, undergoes a cross linking reaction to form a resin; the crosslinking reaction is induced by atmospheric oxygen. Resins unlike plastics are essentially one big molecule !
That's why there are few if any solvents for them. In contrast plastics can be softened with solvents being linear in their structure at the molecular level.
The distribution of polymer chain lengths in a given plastic material is largely controlled by the kinetics of the free radical chain reaction, in the monomer to polymer conversion process. So you've got to like reaction kinetics if you want to be a polymer chemist ! Lots of physical chemistry.
Rubbers are amorphous thermoplastics above their glass transition temperature. Polymer spectroscopy carried out for polymer material identification purposes is also a speciality within the field of polymer chemistry. Also gel permeation chromatography or gpc which is another polymer characterization technique.
Polymer blending is another subject within polymer materials science. Also thermal analysis, using techniques such as TG, DTA, & DSC.
Turning to polymer engineering. Polymer engineers often have degrees in mechanical engineering. Polymer engineering concerns itself with the moulding or castings of polymer materials into useful engineering products. Things such as plastic buckets, rainwater goods, tyres, yacht hulls, plastic bottles, aircraft windows, plastic shopping bags, sneakers, shoes, car panels, train seats, aircraft interiors, vending machine tea cups, toys, sports equipment etc, the list goes on !
Polymer technology has a slightly broader remit covering subjects in addition to polymer engineering ranging from polymer additives for car engine oil ( Eg star polymers ), to medical polymers (Eg pace makers ), polymers in electronics, household paints, fabrics, rope, polythene beakers for hydrofluoric acid. In fact any useful application.
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