Polymer Chains — Poly(ethene)
Three parallel poly(ethene) chains. Each chain is a long backbone of C–C single bonds (grey-blue) with H atoms (cream) attached. Yellow lines show weak van der Waals forces (IMF) between chains.
Toggle controls: Monomers → addition polymerisation · Heat → thermosoftening · Cross-links → thermosetting.
🔗 C=C DOUBLE BOND — monomers ready to undergo addition polymerisation
🌡 THERMOSOFTENING — chains sliding past each other · can be remoulded
⛓ THERMOSETTING — cross-links hold chains · cannot be remoulded or recycled
⛓ CROSS-LINKED — covalent bonds formed between polymer chains
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