It is a polymer of ethylene. Polyethylene is manufactured by heating pure ethylene at about 350-570 K under high pressure 1000-2000 atmosphere in presence of traces of oxygen as catalyst which initiates polymerization.
n CH2 = CH2 ——-> ― [CH2―CH2]n—
Ethylene (Monomers) Polyethylene (Polymer)
Uses: Polyethylene is used as packing films, pipes, containers, laboratory apparatus, bottles, buckets, toys, mould articles and electrical insulators.