Lesson 8: Thermosetting/ Softening polymers

Question 1

What two factors affect the properties of a polymer?

Answer 1

1.) The monomers the polymer is made from.
2.) Conditions under which the polymers are made.

Question 2

What two different types of polymers of ethene are there? Why do these polymers have different properties if they are made from the same monomer?

Answer 2

• Low density (LD) polyethene and high density (HD) polyethene.
• Each polymer is produced/ formed (by monomers) under different conditions which makes the polymers have different properties.

Question 3

What is the difference between thermosetting and thermosoftening polymers (in terms of melting when heated?)

BASIC EXPLAINATION….

Answer 3

• Themosoftening polymers melt when they are heated.
• Thermosetting polymers do not melt when they are heated.

Question 4

What is the structure of a thermoftening polymer like?

Answer 4

• Thermosoftening: have weak intermolecular forces between polymer chains.
• These intermolecular forces are easy to break.
• Causes polymer to melt easily/ be reshaped and cool back.

Question 5

What 3 different conditions could you change to change the conditions of the polymer you form?

Answer 5

• Temperature
• Pressure
• TYPE of catalyst.

Question 6

What is the structure of a **thermosetting polymer **like?

Answer 6

• Polymer chains held together by strong crosslinks.
• These crosslinks don’t break when the polymer is heated - which means the polymer will not melt when heated.