1. General characteristics of chain polymerization processes

1.1 Specific features of chain polymerization

The synthesis of the macromolecules that make up polymers is based on two main types of chemistry, depending on the nature of the monomers used: step polymerization and chain polymerization. The reaction mechanisms are fundamentally different, and it is important to know the basics in order to understand the different polymerization processes used to manufacture polymers. Step polymerization uses monomers with at least two chemical functions (alcohol, acid, amine, isocyanate, epoxide, etc.), whereas chain polymerization mainly uses olefins, vinyl monomers and some heterocycles, and requires a polymerization initiator.