basepolymeer

Basepolymeer is a term used in polymer science to denote the principal polymer chain that serves as the structural foundation for a material. It is the repeating unit structure, or backbone, from which functionalized polymers, blends, copolymers, and composites can be derived. In practice the base polymer is formed by polymerization of monomer units through addition polymerization (chain-growth) or condensation polymerization (step-growth). The base polymer's properties—molecular weight, polydispersity, tacticity, crystallinity, and chain stiffness—determine mechanical performance, thermal behavior, and chemical resistance. The chain arrangement (isotactic, syndiotactic, or atactic) influences crystallinity and melting temperature.

As a platform, the base polymer supports further modification, such as grafting, copolymerization, or blending with other polymers to tailor properties for applications ranging from packaging and textiles to engineering plastics and membranes. Common base polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide (nylon), polyethylene terephthalate, and poly(methyl methacrylate). Each can be used as a base polymer for a wide range of derivatives and composites.

The term basepolymer is used primarily in some non-English sources as an equivalent of “base polymer” or “parent polymer,” referring to the unmodified polymer skeleton used as a starting point for modification.