Polymer Vocabulary

Concrete

A aggregate composite of cement, gravel, sand, and water

Covalent Bonds

A chemical attraction between two atoms that are sharing electrons.

Hydrocarbons

A chemical made only of carbon and hydrogen. many polymers including polyethylene , are hydrocarbons

Composite

A combination of two or more materials that are bounded together in an effort to provide better properties

Fiberglass

A common name for a glass fiber reinforced polymer composite

Plastic

A common term that is frequently used in interchangeable with the word polymer

Kelvar

A common trade name for a type of polymer classified as a polyaramid. it has a great impact strength.

Graphite

A isotope of carbon that is characterized by strong chemical bond in two directions

Polymer

A long, chain like molecule made of repeating units

Specific Gravity

A measurement of how many times more dense a material is htan water. In the system, the value for the specific gravity is the same as density.

Condensation Polymerization

A method of forming molecules between two different types of mers. In the [process, a smaller molecule (usually water) is formed for each bond that takes place

Hybrid

A mixture of two types of materials

Trimer

A molecule composed of three monomers

Dimer

A molecule composed of two monomers

Teropolymer

A polymer that has three different monomers used for the repeating units

Copolymer

A polymer that is made of two types of monomers

Drawing

A process of aligning the polymer molecules so that any crystalline structure within the polymer is oriented in the same direction as the fiber

Crystallinity

A property of polymers where there exists areas of regularity called crystalline. This results in a stronger and more opaque material

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation or prediction based upon observations and/or data

Addition Polymerization

A rapid chain reaction where molecular units are added to one another by usually by breaking double bonds

Monomer

A simple molecule that can b e used as repeating unit to form a polymer

Initiator

A substance the speeds up or begins the polymerization process.

Amorphous

A substance whose molecules have no definite regularity or order

Vinyl

A synthetic resin whose repeating unit has a side group replacing one of the hydrogen atoms on the ethylene repeating unit. If that side group is chlorine, then polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is prodecued

Site

A term used in chemistry to represent an area where a chemical reaction can occur. During polymerization, the site continually moves along the molecule as it grows

Fiber

A thin, single strand of material that is at least five millimeters in length and is many times longer than it is wide

Polyethylene

A tough thermoplastic made solely of ethylene. major uses include making plastic bags, other plastic films, and milk bottles

Laminar

A type of composite characterized by distinct layers of material

Elastomer

A type of polymer that is usually able to double its length easily in the direction that it is stretched and then return to its original shape when stress is released. Elastomers usually posses a small amount o cross-linking.

Thermoplastic

A type of polymer that softens when heated and resolidifies when cooled. It is the primary type of polymer used for recycling

Thermoset

A type of polymer that, when heated, set into a solid form form permanently and cannot be softened by head

Polycarbonate

An extremely tough and highly transparent type of polymer that is classified as a thermoplastic

Alkenes

Hydrocarbons that contain double covalent bonds

Synthetic

Not occurring in nature human-made

Plasticity

The ability to change shapes when stress is applied and retain the new shape when the stress is applied and retain the new shape when stress is removed

Syngerism

The interaction of materials in a way that the final properties are superior to the sum of the individual properties

Cross-Linking

The joining of adjacent polymer molecules by forming chemical bonds

nylon

The name of a family of plastics known as polyamides. Nylon polymers are frequently formed into fibers but may also be made into gears and a variety of objects.

Mer

The part or unit that repeats itself in a long chain molecule

Matrix

The portion of the composite in which the reinforcement is embedded

Polymerization

The process of putting smaller repeating units called mers together to form extremely long molecules called polymers

Elasticity

The property that measures a material's ability to return to its original shape when deformed

Set

To form a solid by curing

Synthesize

To make or create

Translucent

Transmission of light but not with a distinct image

Transparent

Transmission of light that gives a distinct image

Van Der Waals Forces

Weak forces of attraction between molecules due to temporary electrical charges

Opaque

Will not transmit light

Crazing

fine cracks which usually occur under the surface of a polymer. They may be produced either chemically or by mechanical forces such as bending.

Alkanes

hydrocarbons that contain only single covalent bonds