Polyethylenes are semi-crystalline materials with excellent chemical resistance, good fatigue and wear resistance, and a wide range of properties (due to differences in length of the polymer chain.) Polyethylenes are easy to distinguish from other plastics because they float in water.
Polyethylenes provide good resistance to organic solvents, degreasing agents and electrolytic attack. They have higher impact strength, but lower working temperatures and tensile strengths than polypropylene. They are light in weight, resistant to staining, and have low moisture absorption rates.
High Density Polyethylene
Representing the largest portion of the polyethylene applications, HDPE offers excellent impact resistance, light weight, low moisture absorption, and high tensile strength. HDPE is also non-toxic and non-staining and meets FDA and USDA certification for food processing.
Sheet, Rod, Flexible Tube, Welding Rod, Cutting Board, Perforated Sheet
Low density Polyethylene
LDPE exhibits some of the same properties as high density polyethylene. The main difference between low density and high density polyethylene is low density’s flexibility. The main application for LDPE sheet is prosthetic devices. Most of these are either drape formed or vacuum formed.