Polymer Fundamentals, Fiber Classifications, and Synthetic Polymers

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering basic polymer terminology, natural and semi-synthetic polymers, polymerization mechanisms, and major synthetic fibers from the lecture notes.

Petroleum (Crude Oil)

Naturally occurring liquid fossil fuel composed primarily of hydrocarbons that serves as the primary raw material source for synthetic polymers.

Plastic

A material composed of a polymer plus additives, distinguished by the rule that all plastics are polymers, but not all polymers are plastics.

Polymer

A macromolecule consisting of long chains of repeating monomeric units.

Monomer

A small, basic molecule capable of forming covalent bonds to link into polymer chains.

Molecule

An electrically neutral group of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.

Molecular Weight

The total mass of all constituent atoms in a molecule.

Degree of Polymerization (DP)

The number of repeating monomer units present in a polymer chain.

Structural Cellulose

A plant polysaccharide composed of $\beta$-glucose monomers linked by $\beta \text{ } 1\rightarrow 4$ glycosidic bonds, where alternating units are inverted to form straight, unbranched chains stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds.

Cotton (DP)

Cellulosic fiber characterized by a degree of polymerization of $9{,}000\text{--}15{,}000$.

Wood Pulp (DP)

Cellulosic raw material exhibiting a degree of polymerization of $600\text{--}1{,}500$.

Viscose Rayon (Regular) (DP)

Regenerated cellulosic fiber with a degree of polymerization ranging from $250\text{--}450$.

High Wet Modulus Rayon (DP)

A variant of rayon possessing a degree of polymerization of $400\text{--}550$.

High Tenacity Rayon (DP)

A high-strength rayon variant with a degree of polymerization of $500\text{--}650$.

Azlon

The FTC generic term for manufactured regenerated protein fibers derived from sources such as peanut (Ardil), soy (SPF), corn (Vicara / Zein), or milk (Lanital, Merinova, Fibrolane).

Celluloid

A material composed of cellulose nitrate and camphor, patented by John Wesley Hyatt in $1870$ and considered the first commercial plastic material.

Cellulose Acetate

A semi-synthetic cellulose derivative commonly used for eyeglass frames, apparel, and cigarette filters.

Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC)

A water-soluble cellulose derivative utilized as a thickening agent in cosmetics and food products.

Condensation (Step-Growth) Polymerization

A polymerization mechanism in which monomers with reactive functional groups join step-by-step, typically eliminating small molecular by-products such as water.

Addition (Chain-Growth) Polymerization

A polymerization process where polymer chains grow exclusively by monomer addition across active centers, such as carbon-carbon double bonds, or through ring-opening mechanisms.

Nylon (Polyamide)

The first synthetic fiber, discovered by Wallace Carothers at DuPont and launched commercially in $1938$; a melt-spun thermoplastic known for superior elastic recovery, resilience, and abrasion resistance.

Polyester (FTC Definition)

A long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least $85\%$ by weight of an ester of a substituted aromatic carboxylic acid.

Partially Oriented Yarn (POY)

Melt-spun and mechanically drawn polyester filament sold in an intermediate state before downstream texturizing.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

The dominant polyester variant used for fibers and bottles, known for being quick-drying, strong, and wrinkle-resistant.

Polytrimethylene Terephthalate (PTT)

A polyester variant characterized by superior stretch recovery and softness, commonly used in carpets and comfort-stretch apparel.

Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT)

A resilient, chlorine-resistant, and flexible polyester variant suited for swimwear.

Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN)

A polyester variant characterized by elevated heat stability and dimensional performance.

Polylactic Acid (PLA)

A bio-derived, compostable polyester produced from fermented corn starch.

Cotton Burning reaction

ignites fast, burns fast. Small orange flame, ashes and disintegrates

Silk/wool burning reaction

Burned fast, shriveled. Flickering flame, crunchy ash and flakey

Hair burning reaction

Burned slow at first, lots of smoke but small flame. Singed, crispy, fragile

celluloid film burning reaction

burned quickly, big orange flame. bends and disintegrates

polyester fabric burning reaction

burnt slowly, small orange flame, hard black and white ball

Water bottle burning reaction

curled onto itself, flame got big and flickered. bad smell, blue drips

Nylon fabric burning reaction

slow burn, drippy orange flame, black hardened

Rubber Band burning reaction

slow burn, dies out. tiny flame, lots of smoke and drippy. Mushy substance

Plant Origin

Polysaccharides (cellulose, starch, pectin), proteins (soy), polyesters (higher plants).

Animal Origin

Polysaccharides (chitosan), proteins (collagen, gelatin, fibrin, silk), resins (shellac).

Microbial Origin

Polysaccharides (alginate, dextran), polyesters (PHAs), polyamides (polyglutamate).

PET

Polyethylene Terephthalate

PTT

Polytrimethylene Terephthalate

PBT

Polybutylene Terephthalate

PEN

Polyethylene Naphthalate

PLA

Polylactic Acid

Monos

single/one

poly

many

meros

part

Makros

large

molecula

small mass

Macromolecule

Very large molecules made up of many smaller repeating units called monomers.

Vulcanized rubber

Rubber that has been heated with sulfur to form cross-links between its polymer chains. This makes rubber stronger, more elastic, and more resistant to heat and wear

Bakelite

An early synthetic plastic made from phenol and formaldehyde. It is hard, heat-resistant, and a good electrical insulator, so it was commonly used for electrical switches, handles, and casings

semi synthetic polymers

Polymers made by chemically modifying natural polymers to improve their properties

Condensation polymerization examples

Nylon 6/66, polyester, bakelite

addition polymerization

Polyethylene (PE) ,Polypropylene (PP), PVC, Polystyrene (PS)