Classification of Polymers:

Condensation Polymer: Condensation Polymer are formed by repeated condensation reaction between two bifunctional or trifunctional monomer unit usually with the elimination of small molecule like water, alcohol, ammonia, carbon dioxide, etc. The molecules having at least two functional groups by condensation reaction through the elimination of a third molecule forms condensation polymer. Condensation polymerization proceeds by a stepwise intermolecular condensation and is also called as step growth polymerization. It can be either condensation copolymer or condensation homopolymer.

The molecules having only two functional group forms a linear polymer.
The molecules have more than two functional groups that form the cross-linked or branched polymer.

Examples: Polyamides, Nylon-6,6, Nylon-6,10

Addition Polymers: Polymers which are formed by addition reactions are known as addition polymer and this type of polymerization is also called chain growth polymerization. It is called chain growth because it takes place in stages leading to increase in chain length. It mostly takes place in olefenic compounds. Addition Polymers retian all the atoms of the monomer units in the polymer. The addition of monomers possessing double or triple bonds forms addition polymer.

Examples: Polythene, Polypropene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyarcylonitrile etc.

Based upon the nature of the repeating structure units, polymers are further divided into two different kinds.

Some more examples:

Starch, Glycogen, Dextrin (monomer:α- Glucose)

Cellulose (Monomer: beta-glucose)

Insulin(Monomer: fructose) etc.

Copolymers: Polymers having more than one type of monomers. Example: BUNA-N, BUNA-S, etc.

Some more examples: Nylon 6-6, Nylon 6-10, glyptal, Bakellite, Terylene, etc.

Classification Of Polymers