Classification of polymer

There are several ways of classification of polymers based on some special considerations.

The following are some of the common classifications of polymers:

1. Source
2. Structure
3. Mode of polymerization
4. Molecular Force

  Source

• Under this type of classification, there are three sub categories.
  1. Natural polymers
     1. These polymers are found in plants and animals. Examples are proteins, cellulose, starch, some resins and rubber.

1. Semi-synthetic polymers
2. b) Cellulose derivatives as cellulose acetate (rayon) and cellulose nitrate, etc. are the some examples.

• 1. Synthetic Polymers
• A variety of synthetic polymers as plastic (polythene), synthetic fibres. Examples: - (nylon 6, 6) and synthetic rubbers (Buna - S) are polymers extensively used in daily life as well as in industry.

1. Addition polymers: -

• The addition polymers are formed by the repeated addition of monomer molecules possessing double or triple bonds.
  • For example: - The formation of polythene from Ethene and polypropene from propene.
• However, the addition polymers formed by the polymerisation of a single monomeric species are known as homopolymers.
  • For example: - polythene.