HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) and application

                        High-density polyethylene (HDPE)  is a polyethylene thermoplastic made from petroleum. HDPE (High-density polyethylene) is commonly used in the production of plastic bottles, corrosion-resistant piping, geomembranes, and plastic lumber.It takes the equivalent of 1.75 kilograms of petroleum (in energy and raw materials) to make one kilogram of HDPE. HDPE is commonly recycled, and has the number "2" as its recycling symbol.In 2007, the global HDPE market reached a volume of more than 30 million tons.


                         HDPE is known for its large strength to density ratio.The mass density of high-density polyethylene can range from 0.93 to 0.97 g/cm3. Although the density of HDPE is only marginally higher than that of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), 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.It is also harder and more opaque and can withstand higher temperatures (120 °C/ 248 °F for short periods, 110 °C /230 °F continuously). High-density polyethylene (HDPE) unlike polypropylene, which 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. HDPE contains the chemical elements carbon and hydrogen.


                         HDPE  has a wide variety of applications because it is resistant with many different solvent for example:

• Arena Board (puck board)
• Backpacking frames
• Ballistic plates
• Bottle caps
• Chemical resistant piping systems
• Coax cable inner insulator
• Food storage containers
• Fuel tanks for vehicles
• Corrosion protection for steel pipelines
• Electrical and plumbing boxes
• Far-IR lenses
• Folding chairs and tables
• Geomembrane for hydraulic applications (such as canals and bank reinforcements) and chemical containment
• Geothermal heat transfer piping systems
• Heat-resistant fireworks mortars
• Hard hats
• Hula hoops
• Natural gas distribution pipe systems
• Plastic bags
• Plastic bottles suitable both for recycling (such as milk jugs) or re-use
• Plastic lumber
• Plastic surgery (skeletal and facial reconstruction)
• Root barrier
• Snowboard rails and boxes
• Storage sheds
• Telecom ducts
• Tyvek
• Water pipes for domestic water supply and agricultural processes
• Wood plastic composites (utilizing recycled polymers)

HDPE Plastic Code