What is TG Polymers?
Glass transition temperature (Tg) is an important characteristic that determines the response of the polymer to changes in temperature. The polymers which a glass transition temperature below room temperature are Tg polymers making them elastic in surrounding conditions. At this temperature hard, glassy state converts into a rubbery state.
Polymers can be classified into amorphous or crystalline based on their molecular structure. Amorphous polymers have a randomized arrangement of repetitive units while crystalline polymers have an orderly form. At glass transition temperature amorphous go from being hard and brittle to be softer and more flexible. The Tg of a polymer depends on various factors, including the chemical structure of the polymer, the presence of chemical groups, flexibility, etc. The Tg determines the applications of the polymer, including coatings and stretchy materials called elastomers.
The properties of Tg polymers can be altered or modified, such as increased strength and resistance to moisture. All this is possible by adding plasticizers, or other chemical agents to the polymer.
Difference Between TG and TM Polymers
Tg and Tm are two significant parameters used to understand how polymers behave. Tg stands for glass transition temperature whereas Tm stands for melting temperature. How stretchy and strong it is determined by the property of the polymers. The properties of the polymer are varied by many things such as molecular weight, flexibility, and crystallinity. Understanding these properties will help us to understand how different polymers behave in different situations.
If a polymer has different melting points then it is made up of multiple components with different molecular weights or structures this means Tg is typically lower than Tm and it is rigid at room temperature. If Tg is higher than Tm that means it doesn’t have a distinct melting point and on heating shows a transition from solid to a rubbery state.