Buyers Guide

29 Apr.,2024

 

Buyers Guide

Search for suppliers, manufacturers and distributors of equipment used in the formulation and manufacture of adhesives and sealants. For a deeper dive into select supplier offerings with full page write ups on key companies, visit our CASE eBook HERE.

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What is High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)?

HDPE comes in many formulations based on brand and specific application, but generally, the types of HDPE are broken into two grades based on density: 300 grade and 500 grade (where the number denotes the material density). Both types come in either white or black colors, but 500 grades can typically be colored into any desired hue.

HDPE can be manufactured specially-formulated for different applications. Below is a list of some types of HDPE blended for specific environments or situations in mind:

  • Cutting board HDPE
  • Enhanced Stiffness HDPE
  • UV stabilized HDPE
  • Engravable HDPE
  • Antimicrobial HDPE
  • Woodgrain HDPE
  • Injection Molding HDPE

and more.

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What is the Difference Between Polyethylene and High Density Polyethylene?

Polyethylene is the general name to denote all plastics formed from the (C2H4)n monomer, while High Density Polyethylene is a specific form of polyethylene that has been formulated to be denser, more linear in chain structure, and stronger than other forms. Polyethylene encompasses all the possible types such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), as well as others. In industry, polyethylene is the class of materials, while HDPE is a specific instance of that class of polymers.

To learn more, see our guide on What is Polyethylene.

What is the Difference Between High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)?

HDPE and LDPE are built from the same monomer units, but are functionally two different polyethylene materials. HDPE has a more linear chain structure, making it stronger, denser, and stiffer than low-density polyethylene (LDPE). LDPE is more flexible for this reason and has a lower crystallinity. Both materials are recyclable, however, they cannot be recycled together as LDPE tends to soften quickly and gum up recycling machinery.  LDPE Is weak to heat, succumbing to decreases in density after temperatures beyond 20 °C, while HDPE can remain functional through high temperatures like 100 °C. HDPE has overall better mechanical and chemical resistances, but both are generally weak to oxidizing agents and select hydrocarbons. LDPE is more transparent than HDPE, and both are easily worked and are considered a waterproof material.

Deciding on which polyethylene polymer works best for a given application depends on budget, intended material properties, and special considerations. It is impossible to say if HDPE or LDPE is best (as both are highly popular), but both have cases for their use beyond strength and resistance comparisons. If price is the determining factor, then LDPE wins out; if looking to create a structural part, HDPE will probably be the better choice.

Does Xometry Provide Low-cost High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Materials?

Xometry supplies a variety of different types of HDPE plastic to customers for nearly any application. If interested in finding a reliable supplier of low-cost HDPE and other plastics, look through Xometry’s marketplace where a range of grades and stock types can be found.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of polyethylene compound supplier. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.