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Plastics & Elastomers
Polyethylene

Polyethylene (PE): LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE Properties Comparison

The Polyethylene plastic family encompasses a variety of materials, named depending on their density and branching. Keeping information about the properties of a thermoplastic beforehand is always beneficial. This helps in selecting the right engineering thermoplastic for a particular application. It also assists in evaluating if the end use requirement would be fulfilled or not.

The table below comprises of all relevant properties of LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE. From physical properties, dimensional stability, electrical performances to fire and thermal properties, find out every possible attribute with its values here.

Overview

Key Applications

Key Properties

Property LDPE LLDPE HDPE
Chemical Resistance
Acetone @ 100%, 20°C Limited Limited Limited
Ammonium hydroxide @ 30%, 20°C Satisfying Satisfying Satisfying
Ammonium hydroxide @ diluted, 60°C Satisfying Satisfying Satisfying
Ammonium hydroxide @ diluted, 20°C Satisfying Satisfying Satisfying
Aromatic hydrocarbons @ 20°C Non Satisfactory Non Satisfactory Non Satisfactory
Aromatic hydrocarbons @ hot conditions Non Satisfactory Non Satisfactory Non Satisfactory
Benzene @ 100%, 20°C Non Satisfactory Non Satisfactory Limited
Butylacetate @ 100%, 20°C Limited Limited Satisfying
Chlorinated solvents @ 20°C Non Satisfactory Non Satisfactory Non Satisfactory
Chloroform @ 20°C Non Satisfactory Non Satisfactory Non Satisfactory
Glycerol @ 100%, 20°C Satisfying Satisfying Satisfying
Hydrogen peroxide @ 30%, 60°C Limited Limited Satisfying
Kerosene @ 20°C Limited Limited Satisfying
Methanol @ 100%, 20°C Satisfying Satisfying Satisfying
Methylethyl ketone @ 100%, 20°C Limited Limited Satisfying
Mineral oil @ 20°C Limited Limited Satisfying
Phenol @ 20°C Satisfying Satisfying Satisfying
Silicone oil @ 20°C Satisfying Satisfying Satisfying
Sodium hydroxide @ <40%, 60°C Satisfying Satisfying Satisfying
Sodium hydroxide @ 10%, 20°C Satisfying Satisfying Satisfying
Sodium hydroxide @ 10%, 60°C - - Satisfying
Sodium hypochlorite @ 20%, 20°C Satisfying Satisfying Satisfying
Strong acids @ concentrated, 20°C   - Satisfying
Toluene @ 20°C Non Satisfactory Non Satisfactory Limited
Toluene @ 60°C Non Satisfactory Non Satisfactory -
Xylene @ 20°C Non Satisfactory Non Satisfactory Limited
Dioctylphtalate @ 100%, 100°C Non Satisfactory Non Satisfactory -
Dioctylphtalate @ 100%, 60°C Non Satisfactory Non Satisfactory Limited
Dioctylphtalate @ 100%, 20°C Limited Limited Satisfying
Ethanol @ 96%, 20°C Limited Limited Satisfying
Ethyleneglycol (Ethane diol) @ 100%, 20°C Satisfying Satisfying Satisfying
Ethyleneglycol (Ethane diol) @ 100%, 50°C Satisfying Satisfying Satisfying
Electrical
Arc Resistance, sec 130 - 160 - 100 - 180
Dielectric Constant 2.3 2.3 2.3
Volume Resistivity x 1015, Ohm.cm 16 - 18 16 - 18 16 - 18
Dielectric Strength, kV/mm 16 - 28 - 17 - 24
Dissipation Factor x 10-4 3 - 4 - 3 - 20
Mechanical
Hardness Shore D 40 - 50 55 - 56 60 - 70
Hardness Rockwell M 1 1 1
Strength at Break (Tensile), MPa 10 - 20  25 - 45  25 - 45 
Strength at Yield (Tensile), MPa 10 - 15 10 - 30  25 - 30
Toughness at Low Temperature, J/m 240 - 694 294 - 970 -
Toughness, J/m 999 54 - 999 20 - 220
Young's Modulus, GPa 0.13 - 0.3 0.266 - 0.525 0.5 - 1.1
Elongation at Break, % 200 - 600 300 - 900 500 - 700
Elongation at Yield, % 13 - 17.5 3 - 16 15
Flexural Modulus, Gpa 0.245 - 0.335 0.28 - 0.735 0.75 - 1.575
Optical
Gloss, % 35 - 97 32 - 85 5 - 120
Haze, % 1.3 - 27.5 0.8 - 28 6
Transparency (Visible Light Transmission), % 80 - 80
Physical
Density, g/cm3 0.917 - 0.94 0.915 - 0.95 0.94 - 0.97
Gamma Radiation Resistance - - Fair
Glass Transition Temperature, °C -110 -110 -110
Shrinkage, % 2 - 4 2 - 2.5 1.5 - 4
Sterilization Resistance (Repeated) - - Poor
UV Light Resistance Fair Fair Poor
Water Absorption 24 hours, % 0.005 - 0.015 0.005 - 0.01 0.005 - 0.01
Service Temperature
HDT @0.46 Mpa (67 psi), °C 40 - 50 - 60 - 90
HDT @1.8 Mpa (264 psi), °C 30 - 40 - 45 - 60
Max Continuous Service Temperature, °C 80 - 100 90 - 110 100 - 120
Min Continuous Service Temperature, °C -70 -70 -70
Ductile / Brittle Transition Temperature, °C -70 -70 -70
Thermal
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion x 10-5, /°C 10 - 20 - 6 - 11
Thermal Insulation, W/m.K 0.32 - 0.35  0.35 - 0.45 0.45 - 0.5
Fire Resistance (LOI) 17 - 18 17 - 18 17 - 18
Flammability, UL94 HB HB HB

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2 Comments on "Polyethylene (PE)"
GOURDON B Apr 28, 2022
Bon article de synthèse sur LES LES POLYETHYLENES. On aurait peut-être essayé de mieux différencier les structures en fonction de la catalyse ZIEGLER/ NATTA et les MELTALLOCENES et aussi face à la radicalaire. MERCI bernard.gourdon2@wanadoo.fr
macdenis e Feb 27, 2022
GOOD EVENING PLEASE, I NEED TO KNOW WHO AUTHORED THIS-Advanced Guide for A to Z Information on PE-so that I will cite it correctly and appropriately in my write-up

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