CLASSIFICATION OF POLYMERS

Synthetic polymers may be classified into addition or condensation polymers according to the type of reaction. A second classification depends on the monomer type and the linkage present in the repeating unit into polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, etc. Other classifications depend on the polymerization technique (bulk, emulsion, suspension, etc.) or on the polymer’s end use. The latter classifies polymers into three broad categories: plastics, elastomers, and synthetic fibers.