Polyethylene
WHAT IS POLYETHYLENE?
Polyethylene is the plastic probably most used in daily life. It is used extensively in automotive and industrial-engineering applications, as well as industrial packaging due to its excellent performance properties.
Ampa Plastics produces high-density polyethylene (PE-HD), which has a density of 0.963, as stock to specific requirements.
The following grades can be manufactured on request:
- PE-MD (medium-density polyethylene), which has a density of 0.94
- PE-LD (low-density polyethylene), which has a density of 0.92
- PE-LLD (linear low-density polyethylene), which has a density of 0.91
KEY FEATURES OF POLYETHYLENE
- Very economical
- Reasonably rigid at higher densities (although not as rigid as polypropylene)
- Highly resistant to many chemicals
- Water-resistant
- Impact-resistant
- Offers good electrical insulation
- Working temperature range: -70ºC to 80ºC
- Can't be used or worked on at high temperatures (eg in an autoclave)
- Relatively easy to vacuum-form or reform
- Can be fabricated
- Resistant to creep
- Easily recyclable
- Can be used with food
- Will float in water
- Surface has semi/medium gloss after extrusion
- Surface gloss is reduced by a second heat cycle (in other words, it becomes more matt after thermoforming/vacuum forming)
APPLICATIONS OF POLYETHYLENE
- Packaging (eg dunnage)
- Engineering applications (eg seals, dam lining)
- Architectural applications (eg cinema and auditorium seat-backs)
- Automobile-component manufacture (eg truck liners, bus-seat backs)
FIND OUT MORE
Please contact the Ampa Plastics Sales Department on +27 11 398 8000 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.
