Polyethylene (PE) is a thermoplastic polymer produced by the polymerization of ethylene, available in several molecular weight grades (LDPE, HDPE, UHMWPE) that determine its stiffness and impact resistance. It is one of the most widely produced and economical plastics, used extensively in packaging films, containers, pipes, and flexible tubing due to its excellent chemical resistance, low moisture absorption, and ease of processing. Engineers select polyethylene for applications requiring good toughness, environmental durability, and cost-effectiveness, particularly where moderate temperatures and non-structural loads are involved.
Compliance & Regulations
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compressive Strength(σc) | 14.21 | ksi | — | ||
Elongation at Break(εf) | 359.7 | - | — | ||
Flexural Strength (MOR)(σf) | 12.40 | ksi | — | ||
Hardness (Vickers)(HV) | 85.50 | HV | — | ||
Ultimate Tensile Strength(σUTS) | 5.719 | ksi | — | ||
Young's Modulus(E) | 1,450 | ksi | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Glass Transition Temperature(Tg) | -32.40 | °F | — | ||
Melting Point / Solidus(Tm) | 264.6 | °F | — | ||
Maximum Service Temperature(Tmax) | 631.8 | °F | — | ||
Thermal Conductivity(k) | 19.84 | BTU/(hr·ft·°F) | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Band Gap(Eg) | 3.758 | eV | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Refractive Index(n) | 1.510 | - | — |