Understanding Industrial Concerns

Polyethylene plastics are ubiquitous in the commercial, transport, and manufacturing sectors, and they also hold a prominent place in your consumers' daily lives. Business owners who need plastic sheets for packaging, construction, transport, and other common applications should be familiar with low-density polyethylene (LDPE). This guide will explain the characteristics of LDPE sheets so you can find the right solution for your needs.

LDPE Physical Properties

Polyethylene is made up of long chains of linked ethylene molecules. Ethylene molecules bond together to create polymer chains in crystalline structures that add strength and rigidity to the plastic. LDPE plastic consists of ethylene chains that branch out widely, reducing the density of the material since there are fewer polymer crystals per square inch.

Low-density polyethylene is significantly softer and more flexible than high-density polyethylene. The thinner, branching structure of LDPE makes it a lightweight and translucent material. The thin molecular structure of LDPE does not sacrifice chemical resistance. LDPE can be used to safely store chemicals with extreme pH values, as well as most alcohols.

LDPE Production

LDPE and HDPE plastics have radically different molecular structures because they are produced using different techniques. HDPE is produced using slurry polymerization or gas phase polymerization. Both processes introduce a catalyst to a solution of ethylene monomers to induce polymer chain formation. Conversely, LDPE plastics are manufactured by compressing ethylene gas with a tubular reactor or stirred autoclave to induce polymerization.

After the polymerization process, LDPE granules are separated and dried to be processed into sheets or other goods. Injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding are the three most commonly used processing methods for LDPE plastics. These processes can create the industry-standard sheets that many manufacturers request, or can be used to mold LDPE into virtually any product or design.

LDPE Applications

Most people encounter LDPE in the form of plastic bags every time they visit the grocery store. LDPE film also sees frequent use in food packaging and other industries where shrinkwrap packaging is commonplace. In the transport industry, LDPE can be found in carton liners, snap-on lids, and virtually any small, lightweight packaging material.

LDPE is only suboptimal in a few specific applications. Extreme heat or cold can drastically reduce the malleability of LDPE film or cause it to fail. While HDPE can withstand repeated exposure to temperatures up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, LDPE has a lower melting point at approximately 230 degrees Fahrenheit. Low-density plastics are also more porous than high-density varieties, so they are not as well suited for storing gases and fluids.

LDPE Recyclability

Responsible businesses will consider the environmental impact of any material before they commit to using that material at scale. Fortunately, your company will not incur any additional eco-debt through using LDPE sheets if you follow a comprehensive plastic recycling plan. LDPE can be recycled into plastic lumber, paneling, garbage cans and similar containers, and even furniture.

The best way to manage LDPE recycling is to rely on a commercial recycling company that accepts this specific type of plastic. Your recycling company should pick up LDPE waste at your location and haul it to their processing facilities. Selling plastic waste to a recycling company at scrap market prices will provide a small return on your company's LDPE use, and green initiatives such as these always help to make a good impression with your customers.

LDPE sheets are a highly versatile plastic material that has found use in virtually every industry. To get more info about LDPE sheets, contact a plastics fabricator. A fabricator can answer your specific questions to determine if LDPE is the right fit for your latest project.