Polyethylene is one of the most widely used plastic types and is made from the polymerization of ethylene gas. They have extensive applications ranging from plastic bags and bottles to certain industrial parts and components. Depending upon the application, the density of the plastic is decided. For instance, high-density plastics which are absolutely non-permeable are used in making pipes, tanks, and so on. On the other hand, low-density plastic is used to make shopping bags, water bottles, and so on. These are categorized as high density, low density, linear low density polyethylene. This post explains the difference between custom HDPE, LDPE, and LLDPE bags.
Types of Polyethylene
The process of polymerization of ethylene results in long linear chains of hydrocarbons branching in various directions. The degree of this branching decides the type of polyethylene. Using various types of polyethylene has several advantages, such as they have very high melting and freezing points. Here are the different types of polyethylene used for a range of products from polythene bags to pipes and fixtures:
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE): This has minimal number of branches of chains resulting from polymerization. This leads to densely packed and bonded molecules making this type of polyethylene rigid, robust, and durable. This is used in making pipes, cans, toys, tubing, fixtures, and so on. So, this has more of an industrial usage.
- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE): This is generated from free radical polymerization which leads to long and short branching of chains. This makes this type of polyethylene highly ductile but its tensile strength and durability are low. This commonly finds applications in plastic film wraps, grocery polythene bags, and slightly right plastic bowls and bottles among others.
- Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE): The polymerization of this type of polyethylene results in multiple short branches. LLDPE is strong and durable and offers puncture resistance to the product. The structurally short branches of this type of polyethylene easily slide against each other, without entangling in each other, when elongated. This results in high tensile strength and durability which is more than LDPE.
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