12/8/2019 High-density polyethylene - Wikipedia

High-density polyethylene
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene high-density (PEHD) is a
thermoplastic polymer produced from the monomer ethylene. It is sometimes called
"alkathene" or "polythene" when used for HDPE pipes.[1] With a high strength-to-density ratio,
HDPE is used in the production of plastic bottles, corrosion-resistant piping, geomembranes
and plastic lumber. HDPE is commonly recycled, and has the number "2" as its resin
identification code.

In 2007, the global HDPE market reached a volume of more than 30 million tons.[2]
HDPE has SPI
resin ID code 2

Contents
Properties
Applications
See also
References

Properties
HDPE is known for its high strength-to-density ratio.[4] The Thermophysical properties of High Density
density of HDPE can range from 930 to 970 kg/m3.[5] Although Polyethylene (HDPE)[3]
the density of HDPE is only marginally higher than that of low-
density polyethylene, HDPE has little branching, giving it Density 940 kg/m3
stronger intermolecular forces and tensile strength than LDPE. Melting Point 130.8 °C.
The difference in strength exceeds the difference in density, Temperature of crystallization 111.9 °C.
giving HDPE a higher specific strength.[6] It is also harder and
Latent heat of fusion 178.6 kJ/kg.
more opaque and can withstand somewhat higher temperatures
(120 °C/248 °F for short periods). High-density polyethylene, Thermal conductivity 0.44 W/m.°C. at °C.

unlike polypropylene, cannot withstand normally required Specific Heat Capacity 1330 to 2400 J/kg-K
autoclaving conditions. The lack of branching is ensured by an Specific heat (solid) 1.9 kJ/kg. °C.
appropriate choice of catalyst (e.g., Ziegler–Natta catalysts) and
Crystallinity 60%
reaction conditions.

HDPE is resistant to many different solvents.

The physical properties of HDPE can vary depending on the molding process that is used to manufacture a specific
sample; to some degree a determining factor are the international standardized testing methods employed to identify
these properties for a specific process. For example, in Rotational Molding, to identify the environmental stress crack
resistance of a sample, the Notched Constant Tensile Load Test (NCTL) is put to use.[7]

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Owing to these desirable properties, pipes constructed out of HDPE are ideally applicable for potable water,[8] and waste
water (storm and sewage).[9]

Applications

HDPE fibers Disposable suits; nonwoven Housewrap Plastic Flexible HDPE pipes
can be spun HDPE fabric mailing
into rope envelopes

Corrugated HDPE pipe The monobloc Stools for outdoor use Older ice-cube trays are
installation in storm drain chair made of HDPE
project in Mexico

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Bottle crates Toys and playground Plastic bags are often made of HDPE is used to
equipment HDPE, although they are mostly make sturdy bottles.
made of more-transparent LDPE Bottles are also
made of other
plastics, such as
polyethylene
terephthalate

HDPE water bottles Milk jug HDPE Roller on HDPE Construction Entrance
jerrycans resist Mat
corrosion from
the fuel

HDPE has a wide variety of applications:

3D printer filament
Arena board (puck board)[10]
Backpacking frames
Ballistic plates
Banners
Bottle caps
Boats
Chemical containers

Chemical-resistant piping
Coax cable inner insulator
Conduit protector for electrical or communications cables
Corrosion protection for steel pipelines
Electrical and plumbing boxes
Far-IR lenses
Fireworks
Folding chairs and tables
Food storage containers
Fuel tanks for vehicles
Geomembrane for hydraulic applications (such as canals and bank reinforcements)

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Geothermal heat transfer piping systems

Heat-resistant firework mortars
Housewrap (Tyvek)
Hovercraft: The material is too heavy and dense for such craft but is still used occasionally
Ionizing radiation shield[11][12]
Laundry detergent jugs
Lasts for shoes
Microwave telescope windows
Milk jugs
Natural gas distribution pipe systems[13]
Piping for fluid, slurry and gas purposes
Plastic bags
Plastic bottles suitable both for recycling or re-use
Plastic surgery (skeletal and facial reconstruction)[14]
Potable water mains[8]
Root barrier
Shampoo bottles
Sewage mains[9]
Snowboard rails and boxes
Stone paper
Storage sheds
Swimming pool installation
Trackout Control Mats
Telecom ducts[15]
Water pipes for domestic water supply and agricultural processes[8]
Wood plastic composites (utilizing recycled polymers)
HDPE is also used for cell liners in subtitle D sanitary landfills, wherein large
sheets of HDPE are either extrusion welded or wedge welded to form a
homogeneous chemical-resistant barrier, with the intention of preventing the
pollution of soil and groundwater by the liquid constituents of solid waste.

HDPE is preferred by the pyrotechnics trade for mortars over steel or PVC
tubes, being more durable and safer: HDPE tends to rip or tear in a
malfunction instead of shattering and becoming shrapnel like the other HDPE Sheet which has been
extrusion welded
materials.

Milk bottles, jugs, and other hollow goods manufactured through blow
molding are the most important application area for HDPE, accounting for one-third of worldwide production, or more
than 8 million tonnes.

Above all, China, where beverage bottles made from HDPE were first imported in 2005, is a growing market (http://www.
globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/08/23/1905828/0/en/HDPE-Market-will-grow-at-4-CAGR-to-hit-88bn-revenue
-by-2024-Global-Market-Insights-Inc.html) for rigid HDPE packaging, as a result of its improving standard of living. In
India and other highly populated, emerging nations, infrastructure expansion includes the deployment of pipes and cable
insulation made from HDPE.[2] The material has benefited from discussions about possible health and environmental
problems caused by PVC and polycarbonate associated bisphenol A (BPA), as well as its advantages over glass, metal, and
cardboard. HDPE is quick.

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See also
Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX)
HDPE pipe (HDPE)
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)
Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE)
Phillips Disaster
Plastic recycling
Polyethylene (PE)
Resin identification code
Stretch wrap
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)

References
1. Pipe materials (http://www.level.org.nz/water/water-supply/system-layout-and-pipework/pipe-materials/). level.org.nz
2. "Market Study: Polyethylene HDPE" (http://www.ceresana.com/en/market-studies/plastics/polyethylene-hdpe/).
Ceresana Research.
3. Thakare, Kavendra A.; Vishwakarma, Honeykumar G.; Bhave, A. G. (December 2015). "Experimental Investigation Of
Possible Use Of Hdpe As Thermal Storage Material In Thermal Storage Type Solar Cookers" (https://ijret.org/volume
s/2015v04/i12/IJRET20150412019.pdf) (pdf). International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology.
Bangalore, India: IJRET/Sun Publications. 04 (12). ISSN 2319-1163 (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/2319-1163).
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20191030070556/https://ijret.org/volumes/2015v04/i12/IJRET20150412019.pd
f) (PDF) from the original on October 30, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
4. Thermoforming HDPE (http://www.peninsulaplastics.com/thermoforming-capabilities). Dermnet.org.nz
5. Typical Properties of Polyethylene (PE) (http://www.ides.com/generics/PE/PE_typical_properties.htm). Ides.com.
Retrieved on 2011-12-30.
6. Compare Materials: HDPE and LDPE (http://www.makeitfrom.com/compare-materials/?A=High-Density-Polyethylene-
HDPE&B=Low-Density-Polyethylene-LDPE). Makeitfrom.com. Retrieved on 2011-12-30.
7. www.rotomolding.org (http://www.rotomolding.org). Retrieved 2016-4-20.
8. "Acu-Water | HDPE Blueline Water Pipe" (https://www.acu-tech.com.au/systems/acu-water/). Acu-Tech Piping
Systems.
9. "Acu-Sewer Pressure Pipe for Sewer Mains" (https://www.acu-tech.com.au/systems/acu-sewer/). Acu-Tech Piping
Systems.
10. "Puck Board (HDPE Sheets)" (https://www.professionalplastics.com/PuckBoardsHockeyHDPEfacing_KickPlateCapR
ail). Professional Plastics. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
11. AstroRad. (https://m.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2019/01/AstroRad) European Space Agency]]. 25 January 2019.
12. Gaza, Razvan. "International Science Aboard Orion EM-1: The Matroshka AstroRad Radiation Experiment (MARE)
Payload" (https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20180006715.pdf) (PDF). nasa.gov. Retrieved
27 August 2019.
13. "Acu-Gas Yellow High Pressure HDPE Pipe" (https://www.acu-tech.com.au/systems/acu-gas/). Acu-Tech Piping
Systems.
14. Dermnet.org.nz (http://www.dermnet.org.nz/procedures/polyethylene.html). Dermnet.org.nz (2011-07-01). Retrieved
on 2011-12-30.
15. "Acu-Comms White Communications Conduit" (https://www.acu-tech.com.au/systems/acu-comms/). Acu-Tech Piping
Systems.

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