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Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry

Copolymer

A polymer made from two or more different monomers.

Unit Dimensionless

In depth

The monomers may alternate, be randomly distributed, form long blocks, or be grafted as side chains, and each arrangement gives different properties. Copolymerisation lets a material be tuned to combine the useful features of both components.

Examples in the real world

ABS plastic combining acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene; SBR synthetic rubber for tyres.