Polyethylene (PE) is a thermoplastic that is probably most frequently used in daily life. It is one of the most widely produced plastics in the world. It is extensively used in automotive and industrial engineering applications, as well as industrial packaging due to its excellent performance properties. There is a wide range of applications for polyethylene in which certain types are more or less well suited. The different types are :
• Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is a very flexible material that has high ductility but low tensile strength which is evident in the real world by its propensity to stretch when strained. These properties makes it particularly suitable to plastic film applications like shopping bags.
• High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a strong, high density, moderately stiff plastic with a highly crystalline structure. It is frequently used as a plastic for milk cartons, laundry detergent containers, garbage bins, and cutting boards.
• High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (HMWPE) is a high density plastic suited to engineering applications where its unique properties of excellent impact strength, wear and abrasion resistance is required. It is a good general purpose polyethylene suitable for mechanical parts and resistant to corrosive chemicals. Used for gears and rollers, machine parts, cutting boards, guides and fixtures.
• Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) is an extremely dense version of polyethylene with molecular weights greater than HDPE. It can be spun into threads with tensile strengths many times greater than steel and is frequently incorporated into high performance equipment like bulletproof vests.
POLYETHYLENE
• Very economical
• Reasonably rigid at higher densities.
• Highly resistant to many chemicals
• Water resistant and will float in water
• Impact resistant
• good electrical insulator
• can be used outdoors if UV stabilized
• can be used with food
• Working temperature range is -70 to 80 degrees celcius
• relatively easy to vacuum form or re-form.
• Low coefficient of friction – does not require lubrication
• Can be fabricated /CNC routed and welded
• can be recycled
• packaging (eg. dunnage)
• engineering applications : seals, dam lining, drain pipes, tank construction
• architectural applications : seating in cinemas and auditoriums
• automobile components : truck liners, bus seat-backs
• Food industry : cutting boards, underlays in food preparation and machined parts
available in sheets and rods.
• sheets : from 1mm to 100 mm thick
• sheet sizes : 2000 x 1000 ; 3000 x 1500 ; 4000 x 2000
• Rods : from 10 to 250 mm diameter
• Colours : white, black, blue, green