Thermopoly Tetrafluoroethylene

Polymerization is the process in which small molecules combine chemically to produce a large chain-like or network molecule (www.britannica.com). Through polymerization, a polymer is produced. A large number of small molecules react to produce a small number of large molecules. The reactant of polymerization is a monomer. Monomers, meaning "one part" or "one member," are small units that make up giant molecules (Exploring Giant Molecules). The product is a polymer. There are two main types of polymerization reactions. They are addition polymerization and condensation polymerization. When two or more simple molecules join to form a new compound, it is called addition polymerization. The new compound has the same empirical formula. This process occurs when the monomer is unsaturated. Thermoplastics are produced through the addition polymerization. Condensation polymerization is when different compounds of monomer molecules combine with the loss of simple molecules. Thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics are produced. Polymers are classified into natural polymers and synthetic polymers. …show more content…
It is also most commonly known as, teflon. Poly-tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is grouped in the plastics called fluoropolymers. It is the polymerized form of tetrafluoroethylene. PTFE is a fluorocarbon solid consisting of only carbon and fluorine. Its molecular formula is (C2F4)n. It is hydrophobic, meaning that it rejects water. PTFE has one of the lowest coefficients of friction, is very slick, slippery and creep. Poly-tetrafluoroethylene is also chemically inert. PTFE has a melting point of 600K. It is unaffected by corrosive chemicals, temperatures as high as 500 degrees or temperatures as low as -450