Polyethylene (PE) is the world's most widely produced and versatile plastic, resulting from the polymerization of ethylene (ethene) and found in many products such as bottles, films, and pipes. It is lightweight, water-repellent, and chemical-resistant, but is also used in packaging due to its low permeability to gases such as oxygen.
Polyethylene Polyolefins are semi-crystalline and non-polar thermoplastics. During polymerization (production), various variants are produced. These can be divided into different types:
- PE-HD (HDPE): high density polyethylene (0.94 – 0.97 g/cm³); the polymer chains are weakly branched together
- PE-MD (MDPE): medium density; individual chains are somewhat more branched together.
- PE-LD (LDPE): Here the chains are strongly intertwined, which means that the density is rather low (0.915-0.935 g/cm³).
- PE-LLD (LLD-PE): The polyethylene is mainly linear with a few shorter branches. Density is low. PE-LD and PE-LLD are used, for example, to manufacture garbage bags.
- PE-HMW: high molecular weight PE; means that the molecular mass is very high (500-1000 kg/mol). This is because more chains are linked together than in PE-HD, PE-LD and PE-LLD.
- PE-UHMW: Ultra high molecular weight PE with a molecular mass of up to 6000 kg/mol.
It is used in both injection-molded and blown-film extrusion. In its uncolored state, polyethylene is milky white and has a waxy surface texture. Maximum operating temperatures range from 75°C for LDPE to 95°C for HDPE. In cold weather conditions or when exposed to UV radiation, the material may become brittle. Therefore, for outdoor use, a proportion of carbon black particles must be added to the PE. Polyethylene has excellent electrical insulation properties. Polyethylene is resistant to oil, alcohol, alkalis, and diluted acids. Compared to other plastics, PE is more permeable to gases and aromas.
Other properties:
Water Vapor Permeability PE
Oxygen Permeability PE
Material Restistance LDPE
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