Types of Polyethylene Plastic
Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most widely and commonly used engineering plastics. It is made by combining single carbon atoms to create long chains of carbon atoms called macromolecules. Each carbon atom is attached to two hydrogen atoms. Its molecular structure makes it very versatile and capable of being easily fabricated. Polyethylene suppliers are sourcing different types of PE plastic and making them available to a number of industrial and commercial applications.
The following sections provide a quick account of the different types of polyethylene plastic that are classified based on their density and branching:
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
As the name suggests, this PE variant has an ultra high molecular weight between 3.1 and 5.67 millions. As a result, it is very tough and has excellent chemical resistance. It is used in a diverse range of applications including can and bottle handling machine parts, moving parts on weaving machines, bearings, gears, artificial joints, construction of articular portions of implants used for hip and knee replacements, edge protection on ice rinks, chopping boards and as fiber in bulletproof vests.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
HDPE has low degree of branching, a density greater or equal to 0.941g/cm3 and very strong intermolecular forces. Its high tensile strength makes it widely used in manufacturing products such as milk jugs, detergent bottles, butter tubs, garbage containers, water pipes and toys. Several million tons of HDPE are sourced on an annual basis by Polyethylene suppliers all over the globe.
Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX or XLPE)
PEX is characterized by the presence of cross-link bonds in its polymer structure that changes it from a thermoplastic into a thermoset. With a medium- to-high-density, this polyethylene possesses high-temperature properties, reduced flow, elasticity, and enhanced chemical resistance. PEX is used in some potable-water plumbing systems.
Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE)
With a density in the range of 0.926–0.940 g/cm3, MDPE has good shock and drop resistance, and stress-cracking resistance properties than HDPE. It is typically used in gas pipes and fittings, sacks, screw closures, shrink film, packaging film, and carrier bags.
Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)
LLDPE has a density in the range of 0.915–0.925 g/cm3 and is known as a linear polymer with significant numbers of short branches. It enjoys a higher tensile strength and also exhibits higher impact and puncture resistance than LDPE. Its toughness, flexibility and relative transparency makes it commonly used in packaging, particularly films for bags and sheets such as Saran wrap, and bubble wrap, multilayer and composite films. It is also used in cable coverings, toys, lids, buckets, containers, and pipe.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
Defined by a density range of 0.910–0.940 g/cm3, LDPE has a high degree of short- and long-chain branching with less stronger intermolecular forces. As a result, LDPE has lower tensile strength and increased ductility. It is widely used in rigid containers and plastic film applications such as plastic bags and film wrap.
Very-low-density polyethylene (VLDPE)
Having a low density range of 0.880–0.915 g/cm3, VLDPE is a linear polymer with high levels of short-chain branches. VLDPE is used for hose and tubing, ice and frozen food bags, food packaging and stretch wrap as well as impact modifiers when blended with other polymers.
Four more types of PE include Ultra-low-molecular-weight polyethylene (ULMWPE or PE-WAX), High-molecular-weight polyethylene (HMWPE), High-density cross-linked polyethylene (HDXLPE) and Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE). With respect to commercial value and sold volume, HDPE, LLDPE, and LDPE are the most important grades of PE and are being sourced by Polyethylene suppliers.
The following sections provide a quick account of the different types of polyethylene plastic that are classified based on their density and branching:
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
As the name suggests, this PE variant has an ultra high molecular weight between 3.1 and 5.67 millions. As a result, it is very tough and has excellent chemical resistance. It is used in a diverse range of applications including can and bottle handling machine parts, moving parts on weaving machines, bearings, gears, artificial joints, construction of articular portions of implants used for hip and knee replacements, edge protection on ice rinks, chopping boards and as fiber in bulletproof vests.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
HDPE has low degree of branching, a density greater or equal to 0.941g/cm3 and very strong intermolecular forces. Its high tensile strength makes it widely used in manufacturing products such as milk jugs, detergent bottles, butter tubs, garbage containers, water pipes and toys. Several million tons of HDPE are sourced on an annual basis by Polyethylene suppliers all over the globe.
Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX or XLPE)
PEX is characterized by the presence of cross-link bonds in its polymer structure that changes it from a thermoplastic into a thermoset. With a medium- to-high-density, this polyethylene possesses high-temperature properties, reduced flow, elasticity, and enhanced chemical resistance. PEX is used in some potable-water plumbing systems.
Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE)
With a density in the range of 0.926–0.940 g/cm3, MDPE has good shock and drop resistance, and stress-cracking resistance properties than HDPE. It is typically used in gas pipes and fittings, sacks, screw closures, shrink film, packaging film, and carrier bags.
Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)
LLDPE has a density in the range of 0.915–0.925 g/cm3 and is known as a linear polymer with significant numbers of short branches. It enjoys a higher tensile strength and also exhibits higher impact and puncture resistance than LDPE. Its toughness, flexibility and relative transparency makes it commonly used in packaging, particularly films for bags and sheets such as Saran wrap, and bubble wrap, multilayer and composite films. It is also used in cable coverings, toys, lids, buckets, containers, and pipe.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
Defined by a density range of 0.910–0.940 g/cm3, LDPE has a high degree of short- and long-chain branching with less stronger intermolecular forces. As a result, LDPE has lower tensile strength and increased ductility. It is widely used in rigid containers and plastic film applications such as plastic bags and film wrap.
Very-low-density polyethylene (VLDPE)
Having a low density range of 0.880–0.915 g/cm3, VLDPE is a linear polymer with high levels of short-chain branches. VLDPE is used for hose and tubing, ice and frozen food bags, food packaging and stretch wrap as well as impact modifiers when blended with other polymers.
Four more types of PE include Ultra-low-molecular-weight polyethylene (ULMWPE or PE-WAX), High-molecular-weight polyethylene (HMWPE), High-density cross-linked polyethylene (HDXLPE) and Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE). With respect to commercial value and sold volume, HDPE, LLDPE, and LDPE are the most important grades of PE and are being sourced by Polyethylene suppliers.
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