IPD

POLYETHYLENE

Polyethylene is used more than any other thermoplastic polymer. There is a wide variety of grades and formulations available that have an equally wide range of properties. In general, the outstanding characteristics of polyethylene are:

Toughness

Ease of processing
Chemicalresistance
Abrasion resistance
Electrical properties
Impact resistance
Low coefficient of friction
Near-zero moisture absorption

The three most commonly used grades of polyolefin are: Low Density, High Density and Polypropylene.

LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (LDPE)
LDPE, was the first of the polyethylenes to be developed. It is a corrosion resistant, low density extruded material that provides low moisture permeability. LDPE has a fairly low working temperature, soft surface and low tensile strength. It is an excellent material where corrosion resistance is an important factor, but stiffness, high temperature and structural strength are not important considerations.

Features

Lightweight
Formable
Impact Resistant
Excellent Electrical Properties
Machinable
Weldable

Fabrication

LDPE can be fabricated using the following techniques.
Hot gas welded
Fusion and butt welded
Ultra-sonic sealed
Die cut
Machined with wood or metal working tools
Vacuum formed
Thermo-formed

Applications

Chemical resistant tank and containers
Food storage containers
Laboratory equipment
Disposable Thermo-formed products
Corrosion resistant work surfaces
Vacuum formed end caps and tops
Moisture barrier

HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HPDE)
HPDE is more rigid and harder than lower density materials. It also has a higher tensile strength, four times that of low density polyethylene, and it is three times better in compressive strength. HDPE meets FDA requirements for direct food contact applications. It also is accepted by USDA, NSF and the Canadian Department of Agriculture.

Features
Abrasion Resistant
The extremely high molecular weight of HDPE combined with its very low coefficient of friction provides and excellent abrasion resistant product preventing gouging, scuffing and scraping.

Exceptional Impact Strength
HDPE is one of the highest impact resistant thermoplastics available and maintains excellent machinability and self- lubricating characteristics. Properties are maintained even at extremely low temperatures.

Chemical Resistant
HDPE has very good chemical resistance of corrosives as well as stress cracking resistance (with the exception of strong oxidizing acids at elevated temperatures). Certain hydrocarbons cause only a light surface swelling at moderate temperature.

Water Resistant
Moisture and water (including saltwater) have no affect on HDPE. It can be used in fresh and salt water immersion applications.

Fabrication

HDPE can be fabricated using the following techniques:
Hot gas welded
Fusion and butt welded
Ultra-sonic sealed
Die cut
Machined with wood or metal working tools
Vacuum formed
Thermo-formed

HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HPDE)
APPLICATIONS

Food cutting boards

Corrosion resistant wall coverings

Pipe flanges

Lavatory partitions

Man-hole covers in Chemical Plants

Radiation shielding

Self supporting containers

Prosthetic devices

Typical properties of polyethylene

ASTM test Property Low density Medium density High density Ultrahigh molecular weight

PHYSICAL

D792 Specific gravity 0.910-0.925 0.926-0.940 0.941-0.965 0.928-0.941

D792 Specific volume (in.�/lb.) 30.4-29.9 29.9-29.4 29.4-28.7 29.4

D570 Water absorption, 24 hours, 1/8 inch thick (%) <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01

MECHANICAL

D638 Tensile strength (psi) 600-2,300 1,200-3,500 3,100-5,500 4,000-6,000

D638 Elongation (%) 90-800 50-600 20-1,000 200-500

D638 Tensile modulus (10~5 psi) 0.14-0.38 0.25-0.55 0.6-1.8 0.20-1.10

D790 Flexural modulus (10~5 psi) 0.08-0.60 0.60-1.15 1.0-2.0 1.0-1.7

D256 Impact strength, izod (ft-lb/in. of notch) No break 0.5-16 0.5-20 No break

D785 Hardness, Rockwell R 10 15 65 67

THERMAL

C177 Thermal conductivity (10~4 cal-cm/sec-cm~2-�C) 8.0 8.0-10.0 11.0-12.4 11.0

D696 Coefficient of thermal expansion (10~5 in./in.-�F) 5.6-12.2 7.8-8.9 6.1-7.2 7.8

D648 Deflection temperature (�F)
At 264 psi
At 66 psi
90-105
100-121
105-120
120-165
110-130
140-190
118
170

ELECTRICAL

D149 Dielectric strength (V/mil) short time, 1/8-in. thick 460-700 460-650 450-500 900 kV/cm

D150 Dielectric constant At 1kHz 2.25-2.35 2.25-2.35 2.30-2.35 2.30-2.35

D150 Dissipation factor At 1kHz 0.0002 0.0002 0.0003 0.0002

D257 Volume resistivity (ohm-cm) At 73�F, 50% RH 10~15 10~15 10~15 10~18

D495 Arc resistance(s) 135-160 200-235 - -

OPTICAL

D542 Refractive index 1.51 1.52 1.54 -

D1003 Transmittance (%) 4-50 4-50 10-50 -