LDPE (Low density polyethylene), chemical and apllication

             Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a thermoplastic made from the monomer ethylene. It was the first grade of polyethylene, produced in 1933 by Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) using a high pressure process via free radical polymerization. Its manufacture employs the same method today. The EPA estimates 5.7% of LDPE (recycling number 4) is recycled. Despite competition from more modern polymers, LDPE continues to be an important plastic grade. In 2009 the worldwide LDPE market reached a volume of US$22.2 billion (15.9 billion Euro).

              LDPE is widely used for manufacturing various containers, dispensing bottles, wash bottles, tubing, plastic bags for computer components, and various molded laboratory equipment. Its most common use is in plastic bags. Other products made from it include:

• Trays and general purpose containers
• Corrosion-resistant work surfaces
• Parts that need to be weldable and machinable
• Parts that require flexibility, for which it serves very well
• Very soft and pliable parts such as snap-on lids
• Six pack rings
• Juice and milk cartons are made of liquid packaging board, a laminate of paperboard and LDPE (as the water-proof inner and outer layer), and often with of a layer of aluminum foil (thus becoming aseptic packaging).
• Parts of computer hardware, such as hard disk drives, screen cards, and optical disc drives
• Playground slides
• Plastic wraps

             

Chemical resistance

• Excellent resistance (no attack) to dilute and concentrated acids, alcohols, bases and esters
• Good resistance (minor attack) to aldehydes, ketones and vegetable oils
• Limited resistance (moderate attack suitable for short-term use only) to aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, mineral oils, and oxidizing agents
• Poor resistance, and not recommended for use with Halogenated hydrocarbons.

This picture is ID code of LDPE (Low density polyethylene)