Polymer Science & Engineering
Polymer science and engineering is the study of polymers, which are large molecules composed of repeating subunits called monomers. Polymers are used in a wide variety of applications, including plastics, rubber, adhesives, coatings, and textiles.
There are three main types of polymers:
- Thermoplastics: These are polymers that can be melted and remolded multiple times without any change in their properties. Examples include polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC.
- Thermosetting polymers: These are polymers that undergo a chemical reaction when they are heated, which causes them to harden and become permanently fixed in their shape. Examples include epoxy resins, phenolic resins, and melamine formaldehyde.
- Elastomers: These are polymers that have the ability to stretch and return to their original shape. Examples include natural rubber, silicone rubber, and polyurethane rubber.
Polymer science and engineering involves the study of the synthesis, characterization, processing, and application of polymers. It is an interdisciplinary field that combines principles from chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering to develop new materials with unique properties and applications.