virgin white hdpe sheet, high density polyethylene board, PE500 plastic plate

1.What is Polyethylene (PE)? 

A.Polyethylene (PE):

Polyethylene (abbreviated PE) or polythene (IUPAC name polyethene or poly(methylene)) is the most common plastic. The annual global production is approximately 80 million tonnes. Its primary use is in packaging (plastic bag, plastic films, geomembranes, containers including bottles, etc.). Many kinds of polyethylene are known, with most having the chemical formula (C2H4)nH2. Thus PE is usually a mixture of similar organic compounds that differ in terms of the value of n.

B.High-density polyethylene (HDPE)

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene high-density (PEHD) is a polyethylene thermoplastic made from petroleum.HDPE is defined by a density of greater or equal to 0.941 g/cm3.

HDPE has a low degree of branching and thus low intermolecular forces and tensile strength. HDPE can be produced by chromium/silica catalysts, Ziegler-Natta catalysts or metallocene catalysts.

HDPE is used in products and packaging such as milk jugs, detergent bottles, butter tubs, garbage containers and water pipes. One third of all toys are manufactured from HDPE.

C.Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)

UHMWPE is polyethylene with a molecular weight numbering in the millions, usually between 3.1 and 5.67 million. The high molecular weight makes it a very tough material, but results in less efficient packing of the chains into the crystal structure as evidenced by densities of less than high density polyethylene (for example, 0.930–0.935 g/cm3).

UHMWPE can be made through any catalyst technology, although Ziegler catalysts are most common. Because of its outstanding toughness and its cut, wear and excellent chemical resistance,

UHMWPE is used in a diverse range of applications. These include can and bottle handling machine parts, moving parts on weaving machines, bearings, gears, artificial joints, edge protection on ice rinks and butchers' chopping boards.

UHMWPE used for the construction of articular portions of implants used for hip and knee replacements. As fiber, it competes with aramid in bulletproof vests.

 2. The Data Sheet of our Polyethylene (PE) 

A.High-density polyethylene / HDPE sheet

B.Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene / UHMWPE sheet

1. Why use HDPE Sheet 

HDPE Sheet has an almost waxy feel to it and is pretty good at being a low friction wear strip material and is used probably more than any other plastic as a wear strip on conveyors or production lines of huge companies. HDPE Sheet when converted into strips and fixed to a conveyor as a guard rail where millions of items will pass on a never ending production line is where HDPE sheet excels. In this environment, its low friction and outstanding wear resistance really excels. One thing to note at this point is that it’s very difficult to bond effectively to anything, which means that HDPE Sheet will need to be physically or mechanically fixed in place using screws etc.

HDPE Sheet can be machined quite nicely on CNC or traditional machines using TCT cutting tools and will provide a nice smooth surface.

2. What are the disadvantages of HDPE Sheet? 

HDPE Sheet would probably not be suitable in areas or environments where impact resistance is required from very heavy objects. HDPE is slightly softer than some other engineering plastics such as Nylon or Acetal. It is possible to cause a mark in HDPE Sheet if you has strong nails and were to press hard into the sheet. This can be an advantage as HDPE Sheet will cause no damage to cans in say a canning factory.

3. What is the wear resistance of UHMWPE Sheet like? 

UHMWPE sheet is highly resistant to abrasion, in some forms being 15 times more resistant to abrasion than carbon steel.

4. Chemical resistance 

It is highly resistant to corrosive chemicals except oxidizing acids.

5. Why should you choose UHMWPE Sheet? 

What makes UHMWPE such a distinctive and useful engineering plastic is its combination of excellent   properties, which are; outstanding abrasion resistance, superior impact resistance, non-sticking and self-lubricating and excellent mechanical properties, even in cryogenic condition

6. Can UHMWPE Sheet be Glued or bonded? 

UHMWPE does not absorb water readily, nor even wet easily, which makes that adhesives find it a bit difficult to key meaning bonding is tricky and gives a low shear strength.

7. What is UHMWPE Sheet used for? 

Because UHMWPE sheet has excellent abrasion resistance it is often used for lining chutes and hoppers in aggressive and highly abrasive environments, which is why you’ll find it at the quarry. Its also found in food production environments where high volumes of containers like cans or bottles need to be guided along conveyors or production lines.

Because it has very low moisture absorption, it is also found in some high demand areas of marine applications. UHMWPE is also sometimes used in some cryogenic components due to its low operating temperature abilities.

Due to its resistance to wear and impact, UHMWPE continues to find increasing industrial applications, including the automotive, manufacturing and bottling sectors.