What Is Thermosetting and Thermosoftening Polymers | Organic Chemistry | Chemistry | FuseSchool

FuseSchool - Global Education
29 Feb 201604:41
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThis lesson introduces polymers, specifically focusing on thermosoftening and thermosetting polymers. Thermosoftening polymers like polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride soften when heated and can be molded into various shapes, making them suitable for everyday items. These polymers interact through weak intermolecular forces, resulting in low melting points. Conversely, thermosetting polymers, such as vulcanized rubber, do not soften when heated due to cross-linking, which enhances their strength and stability. The video explores the properties and applications of these polymers, highlighting their behavior in response to heat.

Takeaways
  • 🌐 The term 'polymer' refers to a large molecule made up of many repeating units called monomers.
  • 🔍 Polymer properties are influenced by the monomer unit, linkages between monomers, and intermolecular and intramolecular forces.
  • 📚 The lesson distinguishes between two classes of polymers: thermosoftening and thermosetting polymers, focusing on their heat response and properties.
  • 🛍️ 'Plastics' is a term for a variety of polymers derived from crude oil products, including common types like polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride.
  • 🔥 Thermosoftening polymers, such as polyethene, polypropine, and polyvinyl chloride, soften when heated and can be molded into various shapes.
  • 🍝 These polymers can be visualized as tangled noodles that are not linked, allowing them to slide over each other, contributing to their flexibility.
  • 🔗 Thermosoftening polymers interact through weak intermolecular forces, which is why they have low melting points and can be easily separated when heated.
  • 📏 Thermosetting polymers, in contrast, do not soften when heated due to their cross-linked structure, which hardens the overall material.
  • 🔨 Vulcanized rubber is an example of a thermosetting polymer, where sulfur is added to create disulfide bridges, enhancing its strength and heat resistance.
  • 🛠️ Other examples of thermosetting polymers include materials used in old TVs and certain strong adhesives.
  • 📈 In summary, thermo-softening plastics become soft and melt when heated, while thermo-setting plastics remain hard and maintain their shape under heat.
Q & A

  • What is a polymer?

    -A polymer is a macromolecule made of many monomers or repeating units.

  • What factors influence the properties of polymers?

    -The properties of polymers depend on the monomer unit, the linkages between each monomer, and the intermolecular and intramolecular forces between the polymers.

  • What are the two classes of polymers mentioned in the lesson?

    -The two classes of polymers mentioned are thermosoftening polymers and thermosetting polymers.

  • What term is used to describe a wide range of polymers made from products obtained from the fractional distillation of crude oil?

    -The term 'plastics' is used to describe these polymers.

  • What are some examples of thermosoftening polymers?

    -Examples of thermosoftening polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride.

  • Why are thermosoftening polymers soft and flexible?

    -Thermosoftening polymers are soft and flexible because they are not linked together and can slide over one another due to weak intermolecular forces.

  • What are some common uses of thermosoftening polymers?

    -Thermosoftening polymers are used to make items such as window and door frames, pipes, wiring insulation, and waterproof clothing.

  • What is a characteristic of thermosetting polymers regarding heat?

    -Thermosetting polymers do not soften when heated.

  • What is an example of a thermosetting polymer and its application?

    -An example of a thermosetting polymer is vulcanized rubber, which is used to make car and bicycle tires.

  • How does the vulcanization process affect rubber?

    -In the vulcanization process, sulfur is added to form disulfide bridges that link the polymers together, greatly increasing its strength and preventing it from softening easily when heated.

  • What is the key difference between thermosoftening and thermosetting plastics?

    -The key difference is that thermosoftening plastics are soft and melt when heated, whereas thermosetting plastics are hard and do not soften or change their shape when heated.

Outlines
00:00
🧪 Polymer Basics and Classification

This paragraph introduces the concept of polymers as large molecules composed of many monomers or repeating units. It explains that the properties of polymers are influenced by the monomer unit, the linkages between them, and the forces between polymers. The lesson will focus on two classes of polymers: thermosoftening and thermosetting polymers, discussing their properties and how they are formed. Plastics are mentioned as a subset of polymers derived from crude oil products, with examples like polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride. The paragraph sets the stage for an exploration of how these materials respond to heat.

🔥 Thermosoftening Polymers: Properties and Uses

The paragraph delves into thermosoftening polymers, which soften when heated due to their uncross-linked structure, likened to a bowl of untangled noodles. This property allows them to be molded into various shapes when in a liquid state. The paragraph provides examples of everyday items made from thermosoftening polymers, such as window frames, pipes, and clothing items, highlighting their flexibility and low melting points due to weak intermolecular forces. Other examples of thermosoftening polymers mentioned include polystyrene and polytetrafluoroethylene.

🔩 Thermosetting Polymers: Structure and Characteristics

This section contrasts thermosetting polymers with thermosoftening ones, emphasizing that thermosetting polymers do not soften upon heating due to their cross-linked structure. The example of vulcanized rubber is given, explaining its transformation from a liquid state to a strong, non-softening material through the addition of sulfur, which creates disulfide bridges between polymers. The paragraph also touches on the use of thermosetting polymers in old TV sets and strong glues, highlighting their rigidity and resistance to heat.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Polymer
A polymer is a large molecule, or macromolecule, composed of many repeating subunits known as monomers. In the context of the video, polymers are the main subject, with their properties and behavior being central to the theme. The script discusses how the structure of polymers, such as the linkages between monomers and the forces between them, determine their characteristics. Examples include polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride, which are mentioned as thermo-softening polymers that can be molded when heated.
💡Monomers
Monomers are the small molecules that can chemically bond together to form polymers. They are the building blocks of polymers. The video script explains that the properties of polymers depend on the type of monomer units they are made from. For instance, the script mentions that plastics are made from monomers derived from the fractional distillation of crude oil.
💡Thermo-softening Polymers
Thermo-softening polymers are a class of polymers that become soft and moldable when heated. The video script uses this term to describe polymers like polyethene, polypropine, and polyvinyl chloride, which can be shaped into various forms at high temperatures. The script illustrates this with the analogy of a bowl of noodles, where the polymers can slide over each other due to weak intermolecular forces.
💡Thermosetting Polymers
Thermosetting polymers are a class of polymers that do not soften when heated due to their cross-linked structure. The script contrasts these with thermo-softening polymers and uses vulcanized rubber as an example. Vulcanization is a process where sulfur is added to create disulfide bridges, making the rubber strong and resistant to heat.
💡Cross-links
Cross-links are chemical bonds that connect different polymer chains, creating a network structure. The video script explains that the presence of cross-links in thermosetting polymers makes them hard and resistant to melting when heated, which is why they do not change shape easily, unlike thermo-softening polymers.
💡Vulcanization
Vulcanization is a chemical process used to convert rubber into a more durable material by adding sulfur, which forms cross-links between the polymer chains. The video script describes vulcanization as a key process in the production of car and bicycle tires, where the rubber's strength is increased without it softening when heated.
💡Plastic
Plastic is a term used in the video to describe a wide range of polymers derived from monomers obtained through the fractional distillation of crude oil. The script mentions common plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride, emphasizing their thermo-softening properties and their use in everyday items.
💡Intermolecular Forces
Intermolecular forces are the forces that act between different molecules. In the context of the video, these forces are weak in thermo-softening polymers, allowing the polymer chains to slide past each other when heated, giving them a low melting point. The script contrasts this with the strong cross-links in thermosetting polymers.
💡Intramolecular Forces
Intramolecular forces are the forces that act within a molecule, such as the covalent bonds between atoms in a polymer chain. The video script does not explicitly mention intramolecular forces, but they are implied in the discussion of polymer structure and the properties that arise from it.
💡Molding
Molding is the process of giving a material a certain shape, often by heating it until it is soft and pliable. The video script explains that thermo-softening polymers can be molded into many different shapes when they are in a liquid form due to heating, which is why they are used in the production of various items like window frames and pipes.
💡Fractional Distillation
Fractional distillation is a process used to separate the components of crude oil based on their boiling points. The video script mentions that many monomers used to make plastics are derived from products obtained through fractional distillation, highlighting the origin of the raw materials for polymer production.
Highlights

Polymers are macromolecules composed of many monomers or repeating units.

Properties of polymers depend on the monomer unit, linkages, and inter- and intramolecular forces.

The lesson covers two classes of polymers: thermosoftening and thermosetting polymers.

Plastics are a subset of polymers derived from crude oil fractional distillation products.

Thermo-softening polymers like polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride soften when heated and can be molded.

Thermo-softening polymers are used in everyday items such as window frames and pipes.

Polymers in thermo-softening plastics can slide over each other due to weak intermolecular forces.

Thermosetting polymers do not soften when heated due to cross-linking between polymers.

Vulcanized rubber is an example of a thermosetting polymer, made by linking isoprene monomers with sulfur.

The vulcanization process increases the strength of rubber, making it resistant to heat.

Thermosetting polymers maintain their shape and do not melt when heated.

Examples of thermosetting polymers include materials used in old TV sets and strong glues.

Polymers can be distinguished by their response to heat: thermo-softening plastics melt, while thermo-setting plastics remain hard.

The structure of polymers and their real-life applications are detailed in other videos on the channel.

Thermo-softening polymers have relatively low melting points due to weak intermolecular forces.

Other thermosoftening polymers include polystyrene and polytetrafluoroethylene.

The presence of crosslinks in thermosetting polymers hardens the structure and affects their properties.

The vulcanization process is crucial for the strength and heat resistance of rubber products.

Transcripts

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PolymersThermo-SofteningThermo-SettingPlasticsHeat ResponseMoldingVulcanizationRubberMaterials ScienceIndustrial Applications