Polymers

Procedure:
1. Plastic contamination is something we cannot hide. Based on what you learned in this topic, investigate about LDPE and HDPE considering the following points:
a. Describethe way these polymers are made.
b. Which monomers compose them?
c. How are they distinguished one from the other?
d. Describe their production processes.
e. Definetheir uses.
f. When buying a product, how can you identify if it contains any of them?
g. How can you help to recycle these plastics?
h. Define the recycling processes used,and the “new products” obtained.
i. What are these “new products” used for and are they cheaper or more expensive?

2. Write a simple but effective proposal to avoid contamination withLDPE and HDPE.
Results:
LDPE
a) The polymerization starts when the benzoyl peroxide molecules break apart into free radicals. The unpaired electrons of the free radicals attack ethylene'scarbon-carbon double bond, forming new free radicals. These then react with other ethylene molecules and so on, forming a chain of single-bonded carbon atoms that grows until the reaction terminates, often whentwo free radicals join together.
b) Is composed by ethylene and Polyethylene polymer.
c) They are differenced by the density of the polymer.
d) Two basic processes are available for the productionof low density polyethylene: stirred autoclave or tubular routes. The tubular reactor has been gaining preference over the autoclave route due to its higher ethylene conversion rates. The reaction iscarried out using a free radical initiator consisting of one or two peroxides with or without oxygen.
e) LDPE is widely used for manufacturing various containers, dispensing bottles, wash bottles,tubing, plastic bags for computer components, and various molded laboratory equipment. Its most common use is in plastic bags.
f) You can see in the bottle a figure of the recycled triangle with a...