What is Polyethylene (PE)?

Polyethylene (PE) is a common name for polymers produced in the methane polymerisation process. Polyethylene (PE) is a thermoplastic, elastic and non-toxic polymer. It is difficult to ignite and burns with a non-smoky flame. Polyethylene is translucent; it does not solve in all widely used solvents and is resistant to chemical substances such as acids, alkali and saline solutions. Polyethylene (PE) is an inexpensive industrial raw material. In order to improve Polyethylene (PE) properties, it is modified.

Depending on its density, Polyethylene (PE) is classified into:

• Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) and Linear Low-density Polyethylene (LLDPE), the density range of which is 910 - 925 kg/m3.
• Medium-density Polyethylene (LDPE), which is defined by a density range of 925 - 940 kg/m3.
• High-density Polyethylene (HDPE), the density of which ranges from 940 to 970 kg/m3.

Polyethylene (PE) in production:

High-density Polyethylene (HDPE)
By employing the method of extrusion it is used to make such products as general purpose films, shopping bags, rubbish bags, packaging bags, pipes, sheets, continuous sheeting, cable jackets and coatings.
By employing the injection moulding method it is used to produce containers, consumer goods and various technical parts.
By employing the blow moulding method it is used to make containers, consumer goods, technical parts, bottles, barrels and cosmetics bottles.

Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE)
By employing the extrusion method it can be used to produce general purpose films, packaging bags, pipes, sheets, continuous sheeting, cable jackets and coatings.
By employing the injection moulding method it is used to produce containers, consumer goods and various technical parts.
By adopting the blow moulding method it is used to make containers, consumer goods and various technical parts.

Linear Low-density Polyethylene (LLDPE)
By employing the extrusion method it is used to produce film which has better qualities (LLDPE has higher tensile strength, is more easily recycled and can be used to make extremely thin films).
Linear Low-density Polyethylene (LLDPE) is frequently used in combination with Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) and High-density Polyethylene (HDPE).
The main indices of Polyethylene are density and the melt flow rate. In order to facilitate the choice of a particular type of Polyethylene, the table below shows the relation between Polyethylene properties and the change in density and the melt flow rate.

For more information on the specific polyethylene brand and supply conditions please contact us by:
Phone: +370 (5) 2300426
E-mail: info@plastima.lt