Classification

Polymers have a wide variety of household and industrial uses.

Polymers or macromolecules are made by joining monomers to form long chains.

Polymers can be classified as naturally occurring, semi-synthetic or synthetic.

Polymers may be made from straight chains, branched chains or cross-linked chains.

There are two main modes of polymerization: addition and condensation.

Homopolymers are made from a single monomer, while copolymers contain two different monomers.

Elastomers are stretchy. Some polymers form fibres.

Thermoplastic polymers can be melted and reshaped, but thermosetting polymers are rigid and cannot be remoulded.