Types of Polymers
Polymer
large molecule comprised of repeating structural units joined by covalent bonds
Polymeric biomaterals used for
Major nondisposable market
Disposable products
syringes, kits, labware, tubing, blood bags, utensils, gloves, trays, catheters, thermometers, etc.
What polymers represent 80% of the medical field?
PVC, polypropylene and polystyrene.
successful product design requires knowledge of:
Molecular arrangement of polymers
Polyethylene
simplest polymer structure, containing carbon and hydrogen
Polypropylene
backbone chain is made up of just two carbon atoms repeated over and over again.
Hydrocarbons
contain only carbon and hydrogen
Polymers vs. organic compounds
molecular weight and dimension
Structure of Polymers
many polymers made of carbon and hydrogen, Oxygen, chlorine, fluorine, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, and sulfur are other elements found in the molecular makeup of polymers.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) contains
chlorine
Nylon contains
nitrogen
Teflon contains
fluorine
Polyester and polycarbonates contain
oxygen
Inorganic polymers
skeletal structure that does not include carbon atoms in the backbone
ex. Polysiloxanes (Silicones) and Polyphosphazenes
Vinyl Polymers
Made from vinyl monomers, small molecules containing carbon-carbon double bonds
- make up the largest family of polymers.
Polymer conformation
refers to the three- dimensional arrangement of atoms within a polymer chain.
Polymer Structure
Consequences Random coil model
Branched polymers
large branches compared to the linear structure
Linear Polymers
Proteins are linear polymers that consist of all levo-isomers of amino acids.