High-Density Polyethylene

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a robust type of polyethylene known for its exceptional strength and resistance to impact, sunlight, chemicals, and more. It finds extensive use in the manufacture of pipes, bottles, and various other applications.

HDPE is available in different grades, each tailored for specific purposes.

HDPE (7000F)

MFI

0.04 ± 0.1

DENSITY (kg/m3)

953

APPLICATION

For Tissue like film, garment, grocery, merchandise bags, disposal waste bags, counter bags, grocery sacks, and trash bags.

HDPE 80+

MFI (HLMFI)

0.33 (6)

DENSITY (kg/m3)

944

APPLICATION

Drinking Water Pipe, Drainage Pipe, Plumbing.

HDPE 55

MFI (HLMFI)

0.5 (10)

DENSITY (kg/m3)

955

APPLICATION

Large Parts Blow Molding Standard and Lightweight Jerry Cans Open Top Drums (Up to 110 lit).

HDPE 500

MFI

0.8

DENSITY (kg/m3)

953

APPLICATION

Fishing net, Rope, Agricultural net, Tarpaulin

HDPE 50 SA

MFI

1.8

DENSITY (kg/m3)

948

APPLICATION

caps and closures for packaging with free torque advantage

HDPE 30UA

MFI

3

DENSITY (kg/m3)

930

APPLICATION

general purpose roto molded items, small septic tanks (max 500 lit), small recycling tanks (max 500 lit), Toys, Traffic warning signs, Pleasure boats

HDPE 54

MFI

3.5-4.5

DENSITY (kg/m3)

952-956

APPLICATION

Caps and closures, Pallets ,Crates, Boxes, Seats.

HDPE 60

MFI

3.5-4.3

DENSITY (kg/m3)

956-960

APPLICATION

Pallets, Dustbins & Pails, Shipping Container, Fish Crates, Storing Cases.

HDPE 38

MFI

3.8-4.5

DENSITY (kg/m3)

935-939

APPLICATION

Septic Tanks, Ordinary Containers, Injection Molded technical parts.

HDPE 40UA

MFI

3.9

DENSITY (kg/m3)

960

APPLICATION

large dustbins and pails, pallet

HDPE 38UA

MFI

4

DENSITY (kg/m3)

938

APPLICATION

general purpose roto molded items, septic tanks, recycling tanks

HDPE 505

MFI

5

DENSITY (kg/m3)

952

APPLICATION

Caps and closures for mineral water bottles
Caps for sparkling water and carbonated soft drinks, beverage caps.

HDPE 62

MFI

6-8

DENSITY (kg/m3)

960-964

APPLICATION

Crates, Pallets, Seats, House hardware

HDPE 100N

MFI

6.2

DENSITY (kg/m3)

948

APPLICATION

Top quality PE100 pressure, Pipes for gas and water transportation at higher pressures or with thinner walls as PE80 (UV stabilization and/ or pigments during processing).

HDPE 100N Black

MFI

6.2

DENSITY (kg/m3)

957

APPLICATION

general purpose resin for use in pressure and non-pressure pipes, suitable for use in the transport of a wide range of fluids for industrial, rural, and mining applications, and suitable for food contact.

HDPE 70UA

MFI

7

DENSITY (kg/m3)

960

APPLICATION

crates, boxes, seats

HDPE 507

MFI

7.5

DENSITY (kg/m3)

958

APPLICATION

Crates, Injection molding

HDPE 94 (EX5)

MFI

8

DENSITY (kg/m3)

949

APPLICATION

For blown films with paper like quality, Suitable for counter bags, Carrier bags, and wrapping Films, Excellent processing.

HDPE (EX3)

MFI

12.0 ± 3.0

DENSITY (kg/m3)

945 ± 2

APPLICATION

Food Grade, Pipe Extrusion PE100 Class, Pressure pipe,  Drinking water and gas pipes, Discharge pipes, Sewer pipes and their fittings, For injection molded and other fittings, Sheets.

HDPE 52

MFI

15-21

DENSITY (kg/m3)

951-953

APPLICATION

General purpose, Thin walled foam containers

HDPE 518

MFI

18

DENSITY (kg/m3)

952

APPLICATION

Housewares, High fluidity, Injection molding

HDPE 47 (BL3)

MFI

23

DENSITY (kg/m3)

954

APPLICATION

For containers with capacities ranging from a few ml up to 10 liters also for Production of sheets for thermoforming.

HDPE 51

(HMFI)

10

DENSITY (kg/m3)

951

APPLICATION

Blown film extrusion Uni /multi wall packaging High-quality thin films Shopping bags High strength grocery sacks.

Polyethylene Materials

The arrangement of branches in the polyethylene chains influences the material’s density and other properties. There are two types of branching for PE: short-chain branching (SCB) and long-chain branching (LCB). HDPE is primarily linear with a lower percentage of SCB. In contrast, LLDPE exhibits a higher percentage of SCB compared to HDPE, allowing for multiple branches.

Conversely, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) possesses both long and short branches in its structure. The presence of these branches leads to a lower density in LDPE. The higher the percentage of SCB in LDPE, the lower its density.

Production Process

HDPE is produced through the polymerization of ethylene, which can be derived from various sources, including natural gas or naphtha. Depending on the desired density and polymer type, ethylene undergoes polymerization under specific temperature and pressure conditions.

The process of ethylene polymerization is generally categorized into low-pressure and high-pressure methods. HDPE is primarily produced through low-pressure polymerization.

Low-pressure polymerization:

  • Produces both LLDEP and HDPE
  • Operating pressure ranges from 10 to 80 bar
  • Operating temperature ranges between 70 and 1000 degrees Celsius
  • Various catalysts, including Ziegler/Nata, chromium oxide/molybdenum, and metallocene, can be employed.

History of HDPE

HDPE was first discovered in 1951 and commercially produced in the mid-1950s utilizing solution and slurry methods. The gas-phase method for producing high-density polyethylene was introduced in 1968. In the subsequent section, we’ll delve into the benefits and applications of HDPE.

Advantages:

  • Cost-effective
  • Excellent impact resistance
  • Moisture-resistant
  • Strong chemical resistance
  • Available in food-grade options
  • Compatible with rapid processing using various thermoplastic methods

Applications:

HDPE is widely utilized in the production of plastic bottles, shopping bags, toys, pipes, and much more.