{"id":10043,"date":"2022-03-25T12:00:40","date_gmt":"2022-03-25T15:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/polyexcel.com.br\/?p=10043"},"modified":"2022-03-24T17:36:52","modified_gmt":"2022-03-24T20:36:52","slug":"do-you-know-what-polymerization-is-learn-about-this-fundamental-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/polyexcel.com.br\/en\/industry\/do-you-know-what-polymerization-is-learn-about-this-fundamental-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Do you know what polymerization is? Learn about this fundamental process!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Several processes happen around us without us even imagining. Have you heard of <\/span>polymerization<\/b>, for example? This chemical reaction is responsible for creating many of the objects, materials, and compounds that we interact with on a daily basis.<\/span><\/p>\n

So what is polymerization, and why is it so important? If you ever wonder about this, you’re in the right place! In the following exclusive content, Polyexcel explains all about this reaction and how essential it is for humanity. Just keep reading!<\/span><\/p>\n

What is polymerization?<\/span><\/h2>\n

In other content on our blog, we explain in detail what polymers are. In simple terms, they are macromolecules formed from small molecules, which we call monomers. This is where the name \u201c<\/span>polymer<\/b>\u201d comes from: \u201cpoly\u201d means \u201cmany\u201d, while \u201cmers\u201d means \u201cparts\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, these parts depend on a process to come together. This is the polymerization reaction, which forms the macromolecules, which we call polymers, from the junction of monomers.<\/span><\/p>\n

This process is more common than you think. At all times and in all places, there are molecules passing by. This is because polymerization can be a natural reaction. Examples of the result of this operation are latex, cellulose, and starch.<\/span><\/p>\n

The polymerization can also be synthetic, forming the synthetic <\/span>polymers<\/span><\/a>. The compounds resulting from this laboratory process are also well known to us. Some examples of this are polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene and polyester.<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of polymerization<\/span><\/h2>\n

As we explained above, there are two main types of polymerization: natural and synthetic. However, these are not the only ways to classify this type of chemical reaction. Both natural and synthetic polymers can be the result of condensation polymerization or<\/span> addition polymerization<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Condensation<\/span><\/h3>\n

Condensation polymerization<\/b> was the first type discovered in 1909 by Leo Hendrik Baekeland, a Belgian chemist. He invented Bakelite, the first synthetic condensation polymer: a synthetic resin formed from the polymerization of phenol and methane.<\/span><\/p>\n

Condensation polymers are formed in stages. It is a slow process, as the monomers are joined individually, from molecule to molecule, until reaching a polymer.<\/span><\/p>\n

The main characteristic of this process is that, during the chemical reaction, one of the molecules is discarded, not being present in the final polymer. Therefore, the results can also be called elimination polymers.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to Bakelite, we use other <\/span>condensation polymers<\/span><\/a>, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n