ABSTRACT
The study of any subject as vast as and as complex as polymers is simplified by gathering together the many thousands of examples that are known into a few categories about which generalized statements can be made. By speaking about polymers as a special topic, we already are categorizing molecular materials as low-molecular-weight or high-molecular-weight polymers. Within the polymer field, several classifications have been found to be useful. These classifications are based on the following:
1. Molecular structure. We can ask, for example, whether the polymer molecule is linear or branched. Is it made up of identical monomer units (homopolymer) or a mixture of two or more monomer units (copolymer, terpolymer). The polymer molecules may exist as separate individual molecules or they may be covalently linked to a macroscopic network.
