How can you differentiate between addition and condensation polymerization? - Types of Polymerization

Condensation polymerization	Addition Polymerization
Polymerization takes place through a reaction between monomers, oligomers, and polymers.	The polymerization process involves the growth of polymer by sequence addition of monomer units to certain number of growing polymer chains
The degree of polymerization range is low to moderate	The degree of polymerization is very high
Monomer used up rapidly. However, the polymer molecular weight increases slowly.	Monomer used up relatively in slow rate, but the polymer molecular weight increases rapidly.
No initiator needed for condensation polymerization	initiator is necessary to initiate addition polymerization reactions.
No termination step is involved in condensation polymerization reaction, the chain end groups remain reactive	Chain- termination step is involved in addition polymerization
Polymerization rate decreases steadily as the monomers functional groups used up	Polymerization rate increases in the reaction start as initiator units produced; this rate remains relatively constant until monomer used up.

 

Difference between addition and condensation polymers:

Addition polymers:

• These are the products formed when monomer units are repeatedly added to produce  long chain without elimination of any byproducts.
• The monomer units are generally unsaturated compounds usually derivatives of alkenes.
• Example of condensation polymers:
• Examples are polyethene (Polyethylene), polypropylene, polyvinylchloride (PVC).
• This type of polymers is obtained by addition polymerization within which the monomer unit is added to the growing chain and called chain growth polymerization

Condensation Polymers:

• This type of polymers is produced by the method of condensation reaction when a monomer contains active functional groups (generally two) are allowed react together through the elimination of an small molecule like H₂O or HCl then the polymer formed is claimed to be condensation polymer.
• Example of condensation polymers:
• Nylon-66 (a condensation polymer of hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid),
• Decron (a polymer of ethylene glycol), polyester (a polymer of p-terephthallic acid), Bakelite (a polymer of phenol and formaldehyde).
• The process of condensation takes place during a stepwise manner, leading to the formation of polymer.

See Also,

     Uses of Polymers