Science, Tech, Math › Science Block Copolymer Definition (Chemistry) Print Douglas Sacha / Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 20, 2019 A block copolymer is a copolymer formed when the two monomers cluster together and form 'blocks' of repeating units. For example, a polymer made up of X and Y monomers joined together like: -Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-X-X-X-X-X-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-X-X-X-X-X- is a block copolymer where -Y-Y-Y-Y-Y- and -X-X-X-X-X- groups are the blocks. Block Copolymer Examples The material used to make automobile tires is a block copolymer called SBS rubber (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The blocks in SBS rubber are polystyrene and polybutadiene (StyreneButatineStyrene). Nitrile and ethylene-vinyl acetate are also copolymers. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Block Copolymer Definition (Chemistry)." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/definition-of-block-copolymer-604834. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2023, April 5). Block Copolymer Definition (Chemistry). Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-block-copolymer-604834 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Block Copolymer Definition (Chemistry)." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-block-copolymer-604834 (accessed April 20, 2024). copy citation