Polyolefins - Thermoplastic polymers, elastomers and additives

It is the generic term used to describe a family of polymers derived from a particular group of basic chemicals, known as the olefin family. The polyolefins include polypropylene and polyethylene, which differ by their physical and mechanical characteristics and partly by the polymerization process. Through the polymerization process the monomers are converted into polymers. At room temperature, the base, ethylene and propylene monomers are gaseous, but by bonding between them they become strong and flexible plastic materials that can be used in a wide range of applications. The best known and used are:

while the elastomeric polyolefins are:

The main differences between polyethylene and polypropylene are:

Olefin or alkenes are hydrocarbons that have a carbon-carbon double bond. The word olefin is often used as a synonym, but the preferred term is alkene. The term "linear alpha olefins" is used to describe a single chain of unsaturated carbon that is composed of four to more than 20 carbon atoms with double bonds at the end of the chain. The short chains of linear alpha olefins are mainly used as co-monomers for the production of polyethylene and polypropylene. By adding linear alpha olefins to these polymers, the flexibility and strength of the final product increases. 1-Butene and 1-hexene are the most commonly used co-monomers for the production of polymers. However, 1-octene and 1-pentene also found their place among polymer producers. The medium and longer chain LAOs are used in the production of synthetic lubricants and detergents. Linear long chain alpha olefins can be used as lubricants or drilling fluids. Linear alpha olefins are produced by the oligomerization of ethylene or by its separation from the product streams of carbon to liquid.