Polymers Materials Technology

Polymers Materials Technology

Polymers

A Polymer is a large molecule built up by the repetition of small, simple chemical units. Repetition can be linear, branched, cross-linked or dendritic. The repeat unit is usually equivalent to the monomer - the starting material from which the polymer is formed. Plastics are one type of polymer These can be broken down into thermoplastics which can repeatedly follow a melt-freeze cycle, and thermosets, which set, or cure once during an irreversible chemical process during the manufacturing phase. Polypropylene, polyethylene and suchlike are thermoplastics, while most elastomers as well as hard plastics like Bakelite are thermosets.

Top: Science: Technology: Materials: Polymers

Editor's Picks:

- A Cyberwonderland of Polymer fun. Includes on screen polymer reactions. A wonderful learning tool.

- University of Nebraska Institute of Natural Resources offers to supply information on a patented product made from starch.
- Provides information about the self healing polymers research group at the University of Illinois. Contains publications in full text (PDFs) and a gallery including photos, animations and videos.
- An educational resource compiled by students at the University of Missouri-Rolla.
- Recent Advances in Flame Retardancy of Polymeric Materials, BCC Conference, June 2 - 4, 2003, Stamford, CT, USA.
- Provides information on plastics and environment, associations and institutions, books and publications, news and a discussion forum.
- Polymer Processing, characterization and computer modelling. Various new technologies are described. Solids modelling and quick prototyping vis SLA is also available.
- About a project at the University of York that aims to produce and fully characterize a novel biocompostable plastic.
- The P4 project is headed by Prof. Julia Higgins at Imperial College London. It addresses a wide range of research issues in the areas of polymers and polymerisation processes. Provides informations regarding the general activities of the project.
- An intensive look at typical characteristics, shrinkage predictions and plastic part design for parts made with polypropylene resins.
- Three case studies to do with polymer foam compression, packaging design and seating cushion design.
- Based in the UK and are joint initiatives from the UK's Ministry of Industry (DTI) and the UK national research funding organisation (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)). The Plastics partnership aims to promote and develop the p
- Forum for discussing constitutive models for polymers and their implementation in general purpose finite element programs.
- This page describes and links background information and recent developments in several key polymer and organic display technologies which are turning mechanically flexible displays into a reality.
- Provides for exchange of opinions, technical information and experience of those in the rubber and polymer-related industries.
- Article explores research, over 150 years, that has led to polymers use in medicine, like organ transplants.
- Abstracts of selected publications and patents dealing with biostable and biocompatible thermoplastic and segmented polyurethanes.
- About polymers and their uses and possible uses in the automobile industry, written for a general audience.
- A site for information and ecommerce on radiation-curable and imageable polymers. These polymers are used as photoresists, coatings, inks, adhesives, printing plates etc.
- Links to technical resources and its applications .
- Informations on current uses and possible extension of use into other industries. Provided by the Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines.
- A wet-chemical method generates a variety of functional groups in the surface of fromed silicone articles. This is the basis for bonding biologically active compounds, ionically and/or covalently.
- Facts, Trends, News about plastics. Semi-personal website developed by a senior member of two prestigious professional associations (the ACS and SPE), giving interesting perspectives on the business, materials and processes.
- Focused search engine for global polymer, rubber and plastics information.

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