Polymer Structures

One-dimensional Polymers
One dimensional polymers are most common. They can occur whenever 2 reacting chains join to make a chain. If the long-chains pack regularly, side-by-side, they tend to form crystalline polymers. If the long chain molecules are irregularly tangled, the polymer is amorphous since there is no long range order. Sometimes this type of polymer is called glassy.

Two-dimensional Polymers
Two dimensional polymers are rare, the best example of one would be graphite. It is the structure of graphite which provides its great lubricating capability. The condition to form this planar structure is to have 3 or more active groups all directed in the same plane and capable of forming a planar network. This structure offers low shear strength and good lubricating properties.

Three-dimensional Polymers
Crystalline Diamond is an example of the 3-dimensional crystalline polymer in which carbon is linked to four corners of the tetrahedra and these are packed with long range order in space to form a lattice. Diamond has properties which are much more like ceramics than polymers in terms of mechanical behavior (high melting point, modulus, hardness, strength, and fracture behavior) because of this.