Polymerization

Polyethylene develops through a normal polymerization reaction. After initiated, thousand of individual ethylene molecules link together. The prosess occurs in the following steps:

1. Initiation.
   
   An organic peroxide initiates the reaction. The peroxide breaks down into two organic radicals (R*) and two neutral carbon dioxide moleculses.
   
   
2. Propogation.
   
   The radical attacks an ethylene molecule, attaching itself to the molecule and leaving the molecule as a whole as a radical. This process continues until a termination finally occurs.
   
   
3. Termination.
   
   The reaction terminates when a radical attacks another radical, terminating the propagation step for both of them.

If you're interested in examining a calculations on this process, checkout a homework problem.

To find out more about the chemicals that help control this reaction, read on in the catalyst section.