High-density polyethylene - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene high-density (PEHD) is a

polyethylene thermoplastic made from petroleum. It is sometimes called "alkathene" or
"polythene" when used for 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

1 Properties
2 Applications
3 See also
4 References

HDPE is known for its large strength-to-density ratio.[3] The density of HDPE can range from 0.93 to 0.97
g/cm3 or 970 kg/m3.[4] Although the density of HDPE is only marginally higher than that of low-density
polyethylene, HDPE has little branching, giving it stronger intermolecular forces and tensile strength than
LDPE. The difference in strength exceeds the difference in density, giving HDPE a higher specific strength.[5] It
is also harder and more opaque and can withstand somewhat higher temperatures (120 C/ 248 F for short
periods). High-density polyethylene, unlike polypropylene, cannot withstand normally required autoclaving
conditions. The lack of branching is ensured by an appropriate choice of catalyst (e.g., Ziegler-Natta catalysts)
and reaction conditions.

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.[6]

HDPE is resistant to many different solvents and has a wide variety of applications:

Swimming pool installation

3-D printer filament
Arena Board (puck board)
Backpacking frames
Ballistic plates

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Banners
Bottle caps
Boats
Chemical-resistant piping
Coax cable inner insulator
Food storage containers
Fuel tanks for vehicles
Corrosion protection for steel pipelines
Personal Hovercraft; albeit too heavy for good performance
Electrical and plumbing boxes corrugated HDPE pipe installation in
Far-IR lenses storm drain project in Mexico
Folding chairs and tables
Geomembrane for hydraulic applications (such as canals and bank
reinforcements) and chemical containment
Geothermal heat transfer piping systems
Heat-resistant firework mortars
Last for shoes
Natural gas distribution pipe systems
Fireworks
Piping for Water
Piping for Sewer
Plastic bags
Plastic bottles suitable both for recycling (such as milk jugs) or re-use
Plastic lumber
Plastic surgery (skeletal and facial reconstruction)[7]
Root barrier
Snowboard rails and boxes
Stone paper
Storage sheds
Telecom ducts
Tyvek
Water pipes for domestic water supply and agricultural processes
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 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 materials.

Milk 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 tons. There is some
evidence that this form of recycling is less energy intensive than conventional recycling, which can involve a
large embodied energy for transportation.[8][9][10]

Above all, China, where beverage bottles made from HDPE were first imported in 2005, is a growing market 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, as well as its advantages over glass, metal, and cardboard.

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Polyethylene (PE) Plastic recycling

Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) Resin identification code
Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (UHMWPE)
Medium density polyethylene (MDPE) Stretch wrap
Phillips Disaster

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. Thermoforming HDPE (http://www.peninsulaplastics.com/thermoforming-capabilities). Dermnet.org.nz
4. Typical Properties of Polyethylene (PE) (http://www.ides.com/generics/PE/PE_typical_properties.htm).
Ides.com. Retrieved on 2011-12-30.
5. 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.
6. Retrieved 2016-4-20 (http://www.rotomolding.org)
7. Dermnet.org.nz (http://www.dermnet.org.nz/procedures/polyethylene.html). Dermnet.org.nz
(2011-07-01). Retrieved on 2011-12-30.
8. Kreiger, M. A.; Mulder, M. L.; Glover, A. G.; Pearce, J. M. (2014). "Life cycle analysis of distributed
recycling of post-consumer high density polyethylene for 3-D printing filament"
(https://www.academia.edu/6188555/Life_cycle_analysis_of_distributed_recycling_of_post-
consumer_high_density_polyethylene_for_3-D_printing_filament). Journal of Cleaner Production. 70:
90. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.02.009 (https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.jclepro.2014.02.009).
9. The importance of the Lyman Extruder, Filamaker, Recyclebot and Filabot to 3D printing
(http://voxelfab.com/blog/2013/03/the-importance-of-the-lyman-extruder-filamaker-recyclebot-
and-filabot-to-3d-printing/) VoxelFab, 2013. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20140318062517
/http://voxelfab.com/blog/2013/03/the-importance-of-the-lyman-extruder-filamaker-recyclebot-
and-filabot-to-3d-printing/) March 18, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
10. Kreiger, M.; Anzalone, G. C.; Mulder, M. L.; Glover, A.; Pearce, J. M. (2013). "Distributed Recycling of
Post-Consumer Plastic Waste in Rural Areas" (http://www.academia.edu/2921972
/Distributed_Recycling_of_Post-Consumer_Plastic_Waste_in_Rural_Areas). MRS Proceedings. 1492.
doi:10.1557/opl.2013.258 (https://doi.org/10.1557%2Fopl.2013.258).

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