Polymers

Polymers are materials with large molecular masses obtained by the covalent linkage of a number of small chemical components called monomers. The process of linking the repeating units is called polymerization. The number of times a monomer is repeated in a polymer chain is referred to as the degree of polymerization. Both natural and synthetic polymers are there in the industry nowadays. Cellulose, starch, glycogen and proteins are examples for natural polymers. Resins, plastics, rubbers and fibres are examples for synthetic polymers. In the manufacture of plastics resins are mixed with colorants, fillers, plasticizers, lubricants and stabilizers. Elastomers are polymers where structural units are either zigzag or helical chains. Elastomers undergo elastic changes when subjected to an external force. Elastomers have unique ability to regain their initial original shape when we withdraw the force.