Polyethylene

Industry Tradenames: A/A Drainage Liner, A/A Liner, ARP Cutting Board, CPG Seaboard, Contain, Cream P Duravar, Etheylene, Ethylux, Excelon, HDPE, HMW-PE, IT, King Color Core King Cutting Board, King Cutting Board XL, King Pipegrade, King Starboard King Starboard AS, King Starboard XL, King Starlite XI, LDPE, Lennite, Lineai, MDPE PEPolyflo, Pipe Grade, Polystone Polystone M, Polystone G, Ramex, RAU/LDPE RAU/LLPE, Resinol Type A, Resinol Type F, Sym-Plate, Sanalite, Sanatec, Twar Twar 88, Twar 88-2, Twar 88 Antistatic, Twar 88-2 Antistatic, Twar 1000 Twar 1000 Antistatic, Twar 1000 UV Resistant Twar Dryslide, Twar Extended Wear Twar HOT, Twar Oilfield, Twar Polysteel, Twar Urethane, UHMW-PE, Xylethon

Material Description

Polyethylene has long been considered the work horse of thermoplastics. Its chemical inertness coupled with the ease of fabrication and low cost make it an ideal solution for a variety of applications ranging from harsh chemical environments to notebook covers. Polyethylene, the largest volume thermoplastic polymer used today, is available in a wide variety of grades and formulations that have an equally wide range of properties. Some polyethylenes are flexible, others are rigid; some have poor impact strength, others are virtually unbreakable; some have good clarity; others are opaque. Service temperatures can range from -40 to +200F. In general, however, polyethylenes are characterized by toughness, excellent chemical resistance and electrical properties, low coefficient of friction, near-zero moisture absorption, light weight (approximately one-eighth that of steel) and ease of processing.

Polyethylenes are classified into three main categories, according to density: Low, Medium and High. A fourth type, ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMW-PE), is beyond the high-density range. In some cases, properties of this high-performance plastic are similar to other polyethyenes, but in others cases can be dramatically different. Also available is crosslinked polyethylene, a special grade which, by chemical or irradiation treatment, becomes essentially a thermoset material with outstanding heat resistance and strength.

Classification of Polyethylenes

Polyethylene is classified into several different categories based mostly on its density and branching. The mechanical properties of PE depend significantly on variables such as the extent and type of branching, the crystal structure, and the molecular weight. UHMWPE(ultra high molecular weight PE) HMWPE (high molecular weight polyethylene) HDPE (high density PE) HDXLPE (high density cross-linked PE) PEX (cross-linked PE) MDPE (medium density PE) LDPE (low density PE) LLDPE (linear low density PE) VLDPE (very low density PE)

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

LDPE is noted for its low temperature flexibility, toughness and corrosion resistance. It is not suited for applications where stiffness, high temperature resistance and structural strength are required. The ease of fabrication and a low cost factor make this material the choice for many applications

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

HDPE is well suited for applications where a greater tensile and compression strength is needed. HDPE possesses excellent impact strength and corrosion resistance. It meets FDA requirements for direct food contact and can be sterilized easily in boiling water.