Final answer:
The two mechanisms for polymeric stabilisation are addition polymerization, where monomers join without losing any atoms, and condensation polymerization, involving the loss of small molecules such as water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two primary mechanisms for polymeric stabilisation are addition polymerization and condensation polymerization. In addition polymerization, monomers link together without losing any atoms, making up a long chain that contains all atoms of the starting monomers. Common examples include polymers formed from alkene monomers. On the other hand, condensation polymerization involves two different monomers reacting and often results in the loss of a small molecule, typically water. This mechanism typically results in an alternating structure of the two monomers in the final polymer, with well-known examples being polyamides like Nylon and polyesters like Dacron. Both mechanisms contribute significantly to the diversity of polymeric materials and their range of properties.
Additional factors affecting the polymerization include controlling the pressure and temperature, which can alter the range of molecular weights in the polymer chains. Condensation polymers often grow by the formation of carbon-heteroatom bonds (e.g., C-O in Dacron and C-N in Nylon), in contrast to the carbon-carbon bonds typically formed in addition polymerization.