Three-Dimensional Tissue Polymer
Polymeric Properties
Polymers are macromolecules which consist of many classes of natural and synthetic materials with very diverse properties. The difference between the two materials lies in whether or not a polymer is degraded or overhauled by microbes. Usually, synthetic polymers are more difficult to decompose by microorganisms than natural polymer materials. The difference in the properties of the polymer is influenced by the structure of the polymer, which includes:
1. The length of the polymer chain
The longer the polymer chain, the higher the strength and melting point of the compound.
2. Intermolecular force
The greater the intermolecular force in the polymer chain, the polymer will be strong and difficult to melt.
3. Branching
The multi-branched polymer chain has low tensile strength and melts easily.
4. Cross-linking between polymer chains
The more cross-linking, the more rigid and brittle the polymer so that it is easily broken. That is because the presence of cross-linkages between polymer chains results in rigid tissue forming and forming hard materials.
5. The crystallinity properties of the polymer chain
The higher the crystallinity, the polymer chain will be stronger and more resistant to chemicals and enzymes. Usually the high crystallinity is polymers with regular structure, whereas polymers with irregular structure tend to have low crystallinity and are amorphous (not hard).
General Properties of Polymers
1. Thermal Properties
Polymers as insulators have good thermal properties even though polymers are not conductors. When viewed from its type, some polymers that are heated become soft but some pulses become hard. This change is important for certain component materials.
2. Flexibility
Because it is flexible, polymers are easily processed into desired products. But, natural polymers are more to be processed as desired than synthetic polymers.
3. Nature of Resistance to Microorganisms
The nature of resistance to these microorganisms is usually owned by synthetic polymers. While natural polymers such as silk, wool, and other natural polymers are not resistant to microorganisms.
4. Other Properties
Other properties possessed by polymers include the following:
Light, in the sense of a small weight / volume ratio;
Resists corrosion and damage to aggressive environments;
Its dimensions are stable because it has a large molecular weight; and others.
Polymers that have cross-bonds will be thermosetting, while polymers that do not have cross-bonds will be thermoplastic.
Thermosetting is a type of polymer that remains hard and cannot be soft when subjected to heat. This polymer can only be heated once, at the time of manufacture. So if after a break can not be reconnected. An example of this type of polymer is Bakelite.
Thermoplastic is a type of polymer that can be softened when it is hot and hardened again after being cooled. This means that this type of polymer can be heated repeatedly. Examples of polymers that enter this type are types of plastics such as polyethylene PE, PP polyproylene plastics, polyethylene terephthalate plastics, and polyvinyl chloride PVC plastics.