ABSTRACT
Polymers (natural or synthetic materials) have very large molecular weights made up of repeating units (or mers) throughout their chains. Polymers are classified according to their synthesis, mechanical behavior, processing characteristics, and morphology. Examples of their synthetic classification are condensation polymers and addition (chain) polymers. In condensation polymers, monomers consisting of two functional groups (i.e., −OH, −COOH, and −NH2), react with each other to form covalent bonds. For example, monomers with −OH groups may react with monomers with –COOH groups, thus resulting in a polymer that has an ester linkage (−COO−) and water as a byproduct.
