Polyethylene - also known as PE for short - is one of the most widespread and popular plastics. Its uses and applications are extremely diverse, so it is not surprising that PE is used in almost every industrial sector. With a share of well over 30 percent of the total volume worldwide, PE is the most widely used plastic and is particularly popular in the packaging industry. Its physiological harmlessness also allows it to be used in the food sector, in drinking water applications, and in medical technology. Its properties certainly contribute to this:
good sliding properties
high chemical resistance
good electrical insulation properties
high impact strength
high corrosion resistance
high vibration damping
This list is by no means exhaustive and includes only the most important properties of polyethylene. The plastic, which is so versatile, is - as the name suggests - made from ethylene gas. Due to its versatility, the plastic can be processed and molded by almost all known methods, such as injection molding, milling, compression molding, casting and other possibilities.
Polyethylene is available in different variants, which differ, among other things, in density, With the most common variants are PE300, PE500 and PE1000.
PE300 (HD)
PE300 consists of weakly branched polymer chains and therefore has a relatively high density between 0.94 and 0.97 g/cm3 (HD = high density). Also known as PE-HD, polyethylene is mainly produced by the so-called extrusion process - also known as the high-pressure process - which is why it is sometimes referred to as polyethylene300 extruded. PE300 has high resistance to acids and alkalis, with extremely low moisture absorption. It welds well and is suitable for thermoforming processing. Typical applications for PE300 are:
Damping elements
Impact protection strips
Cutting pads
Spacers
PE500 (HMW)
The high-molecular PE500 also exhibits high chemical resistance with extremely low moisture absorption, but at the same time still scores with good sliding properties as well as particularly good damping behavior. This makes it suitable, for example, for cutting boards and other applications in the food industry. Furthermore, this variant is frequently used in store fitting, for impact protection strips and for electronic components.
PE1000 (UHMW)
The ultra-high molecular weight PE1000 is highly valued in mechanical engineering, among other things because of its special sliding properties. This is certainly due to its remarkable wear resistance, which is important, for example, in the manufacture of chain slats, transport screws or conveyor elements. In addition, the plastic can be made particularly UV stable, antistatic or electrically conductive through additives. Here is an overview of the most important properties
very good wear resistance
high chemical resistance
high impact strength
high corrosion resistance
excellent sliding properties
temperature resistant up to approx. 200 degrees Celsius
very good electrical insulation properties
The areas of application are as varied as the properties, including the chemical industry, mechanical engineering, materials handling, the packaging industry, vehicle construction and medical technology, as well as many other areas.
Muellerbestellung offers polyethylene in sheets as well as round rods in various dimensions. Here you can find all information: