The simplest definition of a polymer is something made of many units. Think of a polymer as a chain. Each link of the chain is the "-mer" or basic unit.
To make the chain, many links or "-mers" are hooked or polymerized together. Polymerization is a lot like hooking together hundreds of paper clips to form chains, or by a string of beads.
A plastic is a type of man-made polymer; similar in many ways to natural resins found in trees and other plants.
Polymers are divided into two distinct groups: thermoplastics and thermoset plastics.
The majority of polymers are thermoplastic, meaning that once the polymer is formed it can be heated and reformed over and over again. This property allows for easy processing and facilitates recycling.
The other group, the thermoset plastics, cannot be reheated. Once these polymers are formed, reheating will cause the material to scorch.© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
