Overview
PE (Polyethylene) is one of the most widely used thermoplastics in the world, valued for its excellent chemical resistance, impact resistance, low moisture absorption, electrical insulation, lightweight properties, and cost-effectiveness.
Polyethylene is available in several grades, each optimized for specific applications:
- LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
- LLDPE (Linear Low-Density Polyethylene)
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
- UHMW-PE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene)
- Cross-Linked PE (PEX)
PE is widely used in:
- Industrial Components
- Chemical Tanks
- Piping Systems
- Packaging Products
- Food Processing Equipment
- Medical Applications
- Electrical Insulation
- Wear-Resistant Components
Due to its versatility, low cost, and excellent durability, PE remains one of the most important engineering and commodity plastics worldwide.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | PE |
| Full Name | Polyethylene |
| Material Family | Thermoplastic Polymer |
| Density Range | 0.91–0.97 g/cm³ |
| Appearance | Natural, White, Black, Colored |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | Extrusion, Injection Molding, Blow Molding, CNC Machining |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Rod, Tube, Pellets |
Chemical Composition
Polyethylene consists of repeating ethylene monomer units.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Polyethylene Polymer | Structural Matrix |
| Stabilizers | Thermal Stability |
| UV Additives (Optional) | Weather Resistance |
| Colorants | Appearance Enhancement |
Different molecular structures produce different PE grades and performance characteristics.
Common PE Grades
| Grade | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| LDPE | Flexible, Soft, Excellent Chemical Resistance |
| LLDPE | Improved Toughness and Flexibility |
| HDPE | High Strength and Rigidity |
| UHMW-PE | Exceptional Wear Resistance |
| PEX | Cross-Linked for High Temperature Use |
Mechanical Properties
Typical HDPE Values
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 20–37 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 20–32 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 100–1000% |
| Flexural Strength | 20–40 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 0.8–1.5 GPa |
| Hardness | Shore D 60–70 |
| Impact Strength | Excellent |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Toughness | Excellent |
| Impact Resistance | Excellent |
| Flexibility | Good |
| Fatigue Resistance | Excellent |
PE offers outstanding toughness, even at low temperatures.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.91–0.97 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption | <0.01% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.40–0.50 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | >10¹⁵ Ω·cm |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1900–2300 J/kg·K |
PE has one of the lowest densities among engineering and industrial plastics.
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 105–135°C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | 40–85°C |
| Continuous Service Temperature | -100°C to 80°C |
| Short-Term Service Temperature | Up to 100°C |
Different PE grades exhibit varying thermal performance.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| HDPE | 0.95 | 30 MPa |
| UHMW-PE | 0.93 | 40 MPa |
| PP | 0.90 | 35 MPa |
| Aluminum 6061 | 2.70 | 310 MPa |
PE provides excellent lightweight performance and impact resistance.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water | Excellent |
| Acids | Excellent |
| Alkalis | Excellent |
| Alcohols | Excellent |
| Salt Solutions | Excellent |
| Oils & Greases | Excellent |
| Organic Solvents | Good |
| Strong Oxidizers | Fair |
Polyethylene is one of the most chemically resistant thermoplastics available.
Moisture Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water Absorption | Outstanding |
| Humidity Resistance | Outstanding |
| Weather Resistance | Good |
| Corrosion Resistance | Outstanding |
PE is commonly used in outdoor and wet environments.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | >10¹⁵ Ω·cm |
| Surface Resistivity | >10¹⁴ Ω |
| Dielectric Strength | 20–50 kV/mm |
| Dielectric Constant | 2.2–2.4 |
Polyethylene is widely used for electrical insulation and cable applications.
Wear Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Abrasion Resistance | Good |
| Sliding Wear Resistance | Good |
| Surface Durability | Good |
| Friction Coefficient | Low |
UHMW-PE grades provide exceptional wear performance.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Excellent |
| CNC Turning | Excellent |
| Drilling | Excellent |
| Routing | Excellent |
| Welding | Excellent |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| PE | Excellent |
| UHMW-PE | Excellent |
| PP | Excellent |
| POM | Outstanding |
PE is easy to machine and fabricate into custom industrial components.
Injection Molding Characteristics
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| Moldability | Excellent |
| Flow Characteristics | Excellent |
| Production Efficiency | Excellent |
| Shrinkage Control | Moderate |
| Surface Finish | Good |
PE is one of the most commonly molded plastics worldwide.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ISO | PE |
| ASTM | Polyethylene |
| DIN | PE |
| JIS | Polyethylene |
| GB/T (China) | 聚乙烯（PE） |
| UL | Polyethylene Thermoplastic |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sheet | Yes |
| Rod | Yes |
| Tube | Yes |
| Film | Yes |
| Pellets | Yes |
| Injection Molded Parts | Yes |
Typical Applications
Industrial Equipment
- Wear Strips
- Guide Rails
- Chemical Tanks
- Storage Containers
Food Processing
- Cutting Boards
- Conveyor Components
- Food Contact Parts
Chemical Industry
- Pipe Systems
- Chemical Containers
- Fluid Handling Components
Electrical Industry
- Cable Insulation
- Wire Coatings
- Electrical Housings
Packaging Industry
- Bottles
- Containers
- Films
- Protective Packaging
Medical Industry
- Laboratory Containers
- Medical Packaging
- Fluid Transfer Components
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Injection Molding | Outstanding |
| Blow Molding | Outstanding |
| Extrusion | Outstanding |
| CNC Machining | Excellent |
| Welding | Excellent |
Advantages
Excellent Chemical Resistance
Resists a wide range of chemicals and corrosive substances.
Outstanding Moisture Resistance
Virtually no water absorption.
Excellent Impact Resistance
Maintains toughness even at low temperatures.
Lightweight
One of the lightest industrial plastics available.
Excellent Electrical Insulation
Widely used in cable and electrical applications.
Cost Effective
Among the most economical thermoplastics available.
Limitations
Lower Stiffness
Less rigid than engineering plastics such as POM or Nylon.
Limited Heat Resistance
Not suitable for high-temperature applications.
UV Sensitivity
Outdoor use may require UV-stabilized grades.
Surface Hardness
Relatively soft and prone to scratching.
Comparison with Common Plastics
| Property | PE | PP | POM | Nylon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Moisture Resistance | Outstanding | Outstanding | Excellent | Moderate |
| Wear Resistance | Good | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Heat Resistance | Moderate | Better | Good | Better |
| Cost | Low | Low | Higher | Higher |
Comparison of PE Grades
| Property | LDPE | HDPE | UHMW-PE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Moderate | High | High |
| Flexibility | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Wear Resistance | Moderate | Good | Outstanding |
| Impact Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Outstanding |
| Cost | Low | Low | Higher |
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Natural Finish
- Matte Finish
- Textured Finish
Functional Finishes
- CNC Machined Finish
- Extruded Finish
- Molded Finish
Specialty Grades
- HDPE
- UHMW-PE
- Antistatic PE
- Conductive PE
- UV-Stabilized PE
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is PE?
PE (Polyethylene) is a lightweight thermoplastic known for excellent chemical resistance, impact resistance, and moisture resistance.
What is PE used for?
Typical applications include:
- Chemical Tanks
- Pipes
- Packaging
- Industrial Components
- Electrical Insulation
What is the difference between HDPE and UHMW-PE?
HDPE offers excellent strength and affordability, while UHMW-PE provides superior wear resistance and impact strength.
Is PE chemically resistant?
Yes. PE is one of the most chemically resistant plastics available.
Can PE be machined?
Yes. PE offers excellent CNC machining and fabrication performance.
Why choose PE?
Because it combines:
- Excellent Chemical Resistance
- Outstanding Moisture Resistance
- Lightweight Construction
- High Impact Strength
- Low Cost
Is PE food safe?
Yes. Food-grade PE materials are widely used in food processing and packaging applications.
Does GCNOV provide PE manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- PE CNC Machining
- HDPE Fabrication
- Injection Molding
- Blow Molding
- Extrusion Services
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production