Polymer & Resin - Polyethylene
In 1933, two organic chemists working for the Imperial Chemical Industries Research Laboratory were testing various chemicals under highly pressurized conditions. In their wildest imaginations, the two researchers E.W. Fawcett and R.O. Gibson, had no idea that the revolutionary substance they would come across - polyethylene - would have an enormous impact on the world.
Polyethylene is a common petroleum-based synthetic plastic with a wide range of everyday, household applications. Polyethylene comes in a number of different types, each with a unique molecular structure and its own distinct physical properties and applications. The large group of polyethylenes is also divided into various subcategories. We see polyethylene’s not only in industry, in the form of foils, containers and tubing, but also in the private sphere in things such as carrier bags or garbage bags. Processing is easy, as PE resins and compounds can be converted by film blowing, injection moulding, blow moulding, rotational moulding and extrusion processes.
There are three polyethylene forms.
| Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) | Density range 0.910 - 0.930 |
| Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) | Density range 0.915 – 0.940 |
| High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), | Density range 0.941 – 0.965 |
The property which most defines the characteristics of these different versions is their crystallinity of which density is an indicator. Hence LDPE is less crystalline than LLDPE, which is less crystalline than HDPE. This difference manifests itself in the change from relatively soft and flexible LDPE materials to the harder HDPE types. The resins can be further modified by compounding with numerous additives, such as stabilisers, anti-blocks, slip, antistatic, nucleating agents, clarifiers, flame retardants, cross linking agents, and fillers.
High Density Polyethylene - HDPE
The dense arrangement of the monomers makes the plastic extremely strong and resistant, even stiff. This material is used for Chemical drums, jerricans, carboys, toys, picnic ware, household and kitchenware, cable insulation, carrier bags, food wrapping material.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
| Tensile Strength | 0.20 - 0.40 | N/mm |
| Notched Impact Strength | No break | Kj/m2 |
| Thermal Coefficient of expansion | 100 - 220 | x 10-6 |
| Max Cont Use Temp | 65 | oC |
| Density | 0.944-0.965 | g/cm3 |
Our product range from this group encompasses many different kinds of products that can be used in the following fields of application:
- Film
- Injection Moulding
- Blow Moulding
Low Density Polyethylene - LDPE
Its low density makes this polyethylene highly flexible and elastic. These characteristics mean that the material has many uses, such as for Squeeze bottles, toys, carrier bags, high frequency insulation, chemical tank linings, heavy duty sacks, general packaging, gas and water pipes. It is also used for insulating cables and for a variety of household goods and toys.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
| Tensile Strength | 0.20 - 0.40 |
N/mm |
| Notched Impact Strength |
no break |
Kj/m2 |
| Thermal Coefficient of expansion |
100 - 220 |
x 10-6 |
| Max Cont Use Temp |
65 |
oC |
| Density |
0.917-0.930 |
g/cm3 |
Linear Low Density Polyethylene - LLDPE
The differences between this material and LDPE are only very minor ones. Their uses are also almost identical. But LLDPE is a mixture of polyethylene with a copolymer
Our product range from this group encompasses many different kinds of products that can be used in the following fields of application: