Back Radikal polimerləşmə Azerbaijani Radikálová polymerizace Czech Polimerización por radicales libres Spanish Erradikal-polimerizazio Basque Polymérisation radicalaire French Polimerizzazione radicalica Italian ラジカル重合 Japanese ცოცხალი რადიკალური პოლიმერიზაცია Georgian 라디칼 중합 Korean Radicalaire polymerisatie Dutch
| Polymer science |
|---|
 |
In polymer chemistry, radical polymerization (RP) is a method of polymerization by which a polymer forms by the successive addition of a radical to building blocks (repeat units). Radicals can be formed by a number of different mechanisms, usually involving separate initiator molecules. Following its generation, the initiating radical adds (nonradical) monomer units, thereby growing the polymer chain.
Radical polymerization is a key synthesis route for obtaining a wide variety of different polymers and materials composites. The relatively non-specific nature of radical chemical interactions makes this one of the most versatile forms of polymerization available and allows facile reactions of polymeric radical chain ends and other chemicals or substrates. In 2001, 40 billion of the 110 billion pounds of polymers produced in the United States were produced by radical polymerization.[1]
Radical polymerization is a type of chain polymerization, along with anionic, cationic and coordination polymerization.
- ^ Odian, George (2004). Principles of Polymerization (4th ed.). New York: Wiley-Interscience. ISBN 978-0-471-27400-1.