Materials

LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)

Polyethylene is a widely used, inexpensive thermoplastic. It has good inherent lubricity and is easy to process, with good to excellent chemical resistance. It is also soft and cannot be used in temperatures much above 150° F. As a family, these materials are light in weight and possess toughness, chemical resistance, impermeability, and excellent electrical insulating properties. Low density polyethylene is the softest and most flexible version of this material. It has high elongation giving it excellent impact strength; this is offset by its permanent deformation upon impact.

BorealisCerteneDowExxonMobilMarlex

Typical Properties

Tensile Strength1,200-4,000 psi
Flexural Modulus35,000-48,000 psi
Impact StrengthNo break ft-lb/in notched izod
Max Temperature130°-150° F
Chemical ResistanceGood to Excellent

Applications

  • Consumer products
  • Housewares
  • Electronic wire and cable insulators
  • Medical products

Advantages

  • + Low cost
  • + Impact resistance from -40° to 194° F
  • + Moisture resistance
  • + Food grades available

Disadvantages

  • − Poor weather resistance
  • − High thermal expansion
  • − Higher cost
  • − Subject to stress cracking
  • − Difficult to bond
  • − Flammable
  • − Poor temperature capability
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