Chapter Objectives

1. Define and classify polymers including thermosets, thermoplastics, and elastomers.
2. Describe various polymerization reactions and steps.
3. Describe terms such as functionality, vinyl, vinylidene, homopolymer, and copolymer.
4. Describe various industrial polymerization methods.
5. Describe the structure of polymers and compare with metals.
6. Describe the glass transition temperature and the changes to the structure and properties of polymeric materials around this temperature.
7. Describe various manufacturing processes used to manufacture thermosetting and thermoplastic components.
8. Be able to name a reasonable number of general purpose thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, and their applications.
9. Be able to explain the deformation, strengthening, stress-relaxation, and fracture mechanisms in polymers.
10. Describe biopolymers and their use in biomedical applications.