polymerize
Link into chains
To polymerize is to undergo or cause a chemical reaction in which small molecules (monomers) link together to form large chain-like molecules (polymers).
Plastics, rubber, and many synthetic materials are created through polymerization.
The resin polymerizes when exposed to UV light.
The process can occur naturally or be induced industrially.
Thermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- PVCChlorinated plastic abbreviation
- PETNuclear medicine imaging
nylon · acrylic · polycarbonate · polyurethane · ABS · resin · bakelite · silicone
Agent enabling change
- initiatorOne who starts something
- radicalRoot-indicating symbol
- propagationAct of spreading widely
- terminationAct of ending something
crosslink · ring-opening · nucleation · gelation · kinetics · exothermic · addition · elongation
Very large molecule
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
- copolymerMulti-monomer molecular chain
- oligomerShort chain of monomers
- stereochemistryStudy of molecular shape
crystallinity · morphology · lamella · segment · network · linear · branched · crosslinked
Sharing electrons between atoms
- crosslinkBond joining molecular chains
- intermolecularBetween discrete molecules
- intramolecularWithin a single molecule
- vulcanizationChemically strengthening raw rubber
thermoset · thermoplastic · elastomer · matrix · entanglement · cure · hardening
Pushing through a die
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- manufacturingIndustrial product creation
- scale-upProportional increase in magnitude
- reactorControlled fission apparatus
batch · continuous · emulsion · suspension · bulk · solution · additives · fillers
Nucleic acid synthesis enzyme
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
- ribosomeProtein synthesis site
- nucleotideGenetic code subunit
- enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
template · biopolymer · polysaccharide · polypeptide · lignin · cellulose · chitin · collagen
polyethylene
Thermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- PVCChlorinated plastic abbreviation
PET · nylon · acrylic · polycarbonate · polyurethane · ABS · resin · bakelite · silicone · epoxy
catalyst
Agent enabling change
- initiatorOne who starts something
- radicalRoot-indicating symbol
- propagationAct of spreading widely
termination · crosslink · ring-opening · nucleation · gelation · kinetics · exothermic · addition · elongation · branching
macromolecule
Very large molecule
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
- copolymerMulti-monomer molecular chain
- oligomerShort chain of monomers
stereochemistry · crystallinity · morphology · lamella · segment · network · linear · branched · crosslinked
covalent
Sharing electrons between atoms
- crosslinkBond joining molecular chains
- intermolecularBetween discrete molecules
- intramolecularWithin a single molecule
vulcanization · thermoset · thermoplastic · elastomer · matrix · entanglement · cure · hardening
extrusion
Pushing through a die
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- manufacturingIndustrial product creation
- scale-upProportional increase in magnitude
reactor · batch · continuous · emulsion · suspension · bulk · solution · additives · fillers · reinforcement
polymerase
Nucleic acid synthesis enzyme
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
- ribosomeProtein synthesis site
- nucleotideGenetic code subunit
enzyme · template · biopolymer · polysaccharide · polypeptide · lignin · cellulose · chitin · collagen
polymerizedecompose
Break into simpler parts
degrade · break down · hydrolyze · dissociate · cleave
depolymerization, polymeric, polymerization, polymerized, polymerizing