Type of polymers:
Carothers in 1928 classified polymers on the basis of polymerisation process into two groups:
1. Addition polymers
2. Condensation polymers.
1. Addition polymers:
A polymer formed by direct addition of repeated monomer molecules possessing double or triple bond, without the elimination of any small molecule is called addition polymer.
Example: PVC, Teflon, Neoprene etc.
2. Condensation polymers:
These polymers are formed through a series of independent reactions. These reactions involve the bond formation condensation between two difunctional monomer molecules to form dimers, which in turn, produce tetramers and so on (with the loss of simple molecules like NH3, H2O etc.).
Example: Bakelite, Nylon – 6, 6 etc.
