cross-linked polymer, network polymer - a polymer in which a three-dimensional structure is formed by interchain covalent bonds, cross-link: a comparatively short connecting unit (as a chemical bond or a chemically bonded atom or group) between neighboring chains of atoms in a complex chemical molecule (as a polymer). Used especially in relation to thermosetting plastics, vulcanized rubber, and proteins., fécule/amidon transformée dans laquelle ont été créés des ponts entre des macromolécules, au moyen de réactifs chimiques bifonctionnels ou polyfonctionnels