Definition of Polymer Science
Polymer science is the study of polymers, or materials made from long chains of small molecules. Some of the most common polymers occur naturally and form the basis for life. The proteins that make up our bodies are polymers of amino acids. Carbohydrates are polymers of simple sugars. Fibrous materials like cotton also contain natural polymers. Nylon is an artificial polymer, as is the material used to make bulletproof vests. The study of polymers involves chemistry and physics.
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History of Polymer Science
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People have long used naturally occurring polymers like oil, tar and resin for light and heat and to build homes and ships. Polymers were first manipulated for commercial use in the 1830s with vulcanization. Vulcanization is a process that converts rubber into durable products such as automobile tires. Within a few decades of this development, other researchers invented hard plastics such as celluloid. By the 1930s, polymer science had developed many more forms of synthetic polymer, such as nylon, vinyl and neoprene.
Molecular Structure
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The units that make up polymer chains are called monomers, and the chains they form are called "macromolecules." Polymers may take the form of straight chains, or they might branch out from a central chain. They can link together to form large, complex, three-dimensional structures. Polymer science focuses on figuring out how to put polymers together to create materials that have all the desired properties, with as few drawbacks as possible.
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Building Polymers
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One of the most fundamental methods of polymer manufacture is addition polymerization, according to Case Western Reserve University. This is the process of building up polymers by adding monomers to one another in succession. An "initiation reaction" begins the process by manipulating monomers with ions. Next, the propagation reaction assembles the chain. A termination reaction might stop the growth of the polymer at the right point, or the reaction may simply be allowed to run down.
Development of Polymers
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One of the principle concerns of polymers science is in the development of different types of polymers that have different uses. Elastomers such as rubber are in great demand for making tires. Plastics are in high demand: America alone uses approximately 60 billion pounds of plastics each year. Polymer science also focuses on developing specialty fibers for such applications as clothing and rope manufacturing.
Manufacturing
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Polymer science manufactures finished products out of polymers that have the right properties. This is often done through injection molding, where molten plastic is poured into molds and allowed to harden. Extrusion is another common process. During extrusion, soft plastic is forced through open molds, like with a child's Play-doh machine. Spinning is used to produce fibers, in much the way cotton candy is made.
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