Polymerization is the process by which small molecules consisting of one unit (known as a monomer單體) or a few units (known as oligomers低聚物) are chemically joined to create these giant molecules.

大多數(shù)polymers是有機(jī)物; however, polymers can be inorganic (eg. silicones硅酮 based on Si-O network).

containing additives such as fibers纖維, fillers填料, pigments顏料。

Plastics include thermoplastics熱塑, thermosets熱固, and elastomers彈性體 (natural or synthetic).