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Its properties can be modified further by crosslinking or copolymerization. All forms are nontoxic as well as chemically resilient, contributing to polyethylene's popularity as a multi-use plastic. However, polyethylene's chemical resilience also makes it a long-lived and decomposition-resistant pollutant when disposed of improperly. [10]
Polyethylene production uses more than half of the world's ethylene supply. Polyethylene, also called polyethene and polythene , is the world's most widely used plastic. It is primarily used to make films in packaging , carrier bags and trash liners .
Polymer engineering is generally an engineering field that designs, analyses, and modifies polymer materials. Polymer engineering covers aspects of the petrochemical industry, polymerization, structure and characterization of polymers, properties of polymers, compounding and processing of polymers and description of major polymers, structure property relations and applications.
Polymer chemistry is a sub-discipline of chemistry that focuses on the structures, chemical synthesis, and chemical and physical properties of polymers and macromolecules. The principles and methods used within polymer chemistry are also applicable through a wide range of other chemistry sub-disciplines like organic chemistry , analytical ...
Compounding process, biocomposite materials based on thermoplastic polymers such as polypropylene and polyethylene are processed by compounding and extrusion. The production of biocomposites uses techniques that are used to manufacture plastics or composites materials. These techniques include: Machine press; Filament winding; Pultrusion;
One of the most commonly used polymers for packaging purposes is polylactic acid, PLA. [32] The production of PLA has several advantages, the most important of which is the ability to tailor the physical properties of the polymer through processing methods. PLA is used for a variety of films, wrappings, and containers (including bottles and cups).
Lastly, mechanical properties of these biopolymers can often be measured using optical tweezers or atomic force microscopy. Dual-polarization interferometry can be used to measure the conformational changes or self-assembly of these materials when stimulated by pH, temperature, ionic strength or other binding partners. [citation needed]
Polyethylene or polythene film biodegrades naturally, albeit over a long period of time. Methods are available to make it more degradable under certain conditions of sunlight , moisture , oxygen , and composting and enhancement of biodegradation by reducing the hydrophobic polymer and increasing hydrophilic properties.