The Benefits of Using polyethylene compound supplier

29 Apr.,2024

 

Plastic Compounding: The Purpose and Benefits

Plastic is a material that we all take for granted because it is so commonplace in our lives today.  Yet, what most of us don’t think about is that every plastic product that we benefit from or make use of utilizes plastic that was compound for its specific purpose.  Without compounding, plastic wouldn’t be nearly as versatile and readily available to serve our multitude of needs.

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Compounding Plastic: Achieving the Desired End Product

Compounding plastic is done differently for every application.  Some of the factors that are specifically compounded for include but are not limited to:

Color.  When you are compounding plastic color selection is often a priority. When you think of all of the plastic products you use, you’ll realize that it is available in an unlimited number of colors.

Food safe.  Not all plastic is food safe. When plastic will be used for food packaging or handling, specific products, and compounding processes must take place to ensure that it is safe to encounter a food product that will be consumed.

Fire retardation.  When exposed to heat, plastics will melt and often catch fire.  Fire retardants can be added to polymers to help prohibit combustion, especially in construction applications.

Strength and flexibility.  Just thinking about the plastic products that you use daily; you’ll notice there are differences in strength and flexibility.  Each of these plastics has been compounded to provide for this extremely specific purpose and quality.

Antimicrobial properties. Some plastic products benefit from being compounded to prohibit the growth of germs on their surface.  These plastic additives are especially prevalent in the production of medical products.

UV Tolerance.  If plastic products are exposed to UV rays, the plastic can be compounded to add extra protection against these rays that often lead to degradation of the material.

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Phoenix Plastics Wants to Be Your Plastic Compounding Provider

This is just a broad look at the many benefits of plastic compounding. The customizations that are possible are nearly endless.  At Phoenix Plastics we are always developing new compounding services and abilities, allowing our customers to truly personalize their plastic products. Contact us today so we can discuss your unique needs.  We look forward to exceeding your expectations!

Polyethylene (PE): Structure, Properties, and Applications

The four most common types of polyethylene are described below:

  1. Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE): UHMWPE has a linear molecular chain with no side branching. It has excellent abrasion resistance and is extremely tough, making it well suited to industrial applications. UHMWPE has much longer continuous molecular chains than other polyethylenes, hence the “ultra-high molecular weight” designation.
  2. High-Density Polythene (HDPE): HDPE material has a linear molecular chain with limited to no branching off the main chain. This allows the polymer chain to fold into a dense structure, allowing for higher packing efficiency and increased crystallinity when compared to LDPE. HDPE is a rigid material with good mechanical properties. It has an opaque appearance.
  3. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): LDPE does not have the linear molecular structure of HDPE. Instead, the main carbon backbone can have additional branches that have the same form as the basic polyethylene molecule. These branches stop the molecular chain from folding into a densely packed structure, i.e. reducing its packing efficiency compared to the linear structure of HDPE. LDPE is softer than HDPE. It also tends to be transparent, and has low crystallinity.
  4. Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE):  LLDPE has a similar molecular structure to LDPE. However, its branches are significantly shorter than those found in LDPE. This means that the molecular chains do not entangle themselves as easily. LLDPE has good tensile strength and very high elongation. For that reason, it is often used in stretch films.

What Are the Benefits of Using Polyethylene?

Polyethylene’s many benefits include:

  • Low cost and easy availability
  • Can be used as electrical insulation
  • Chemically resistant to solvents and dilute acids
  • Easy to process for injection molding
  • Tough and wear resistant
  • Can be produced in strong, thin films
  • Some grades are transparent

Is Polyethylene Suitable for Plastic Injection Molding?

Yes, polyethylene is widely used for plastic injection molding. It is one of the easiest materials to work with. Its processing ease makes it popular in other applications as well, such as blow molding and film extrusion. For more information, see our guide on Plastic Injection Molding.

Why is Polyethylene Used in Plastic?

Polyethylene is a thermoplastic and as such is not used in plastic but is rather a plastic itself. 

Is Polyethylene Environmentally Friendly?

No, polyethylene is not environmentally friendly. Like most thermoplastics, polyethylene is produced as a crude oil processing by-product and is not biodegradable. In fact, a large percentage of plastic pollution is due to discarded polyethylene films and bags.

What Is the Difference Between Polyethylene and Polypropylene?

The difference between polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) is in the makeup of their polymeric chains. Polypropylene molecular chains are made from repeating propylene (C3H6)n monomers, whereas polyethylene chains are made from repeating ethylene (C2H4)n monomers. To learn more, see our guide on Polypropylene vs. Polyethylene.

What Is the Difference Between Polyethylene Terephthalate and Polyethylene?

Polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are entirely different polymers, manufactured differently, and used for different applications. PET, with the chemical formula (C10H8O4)n, is produced from the polymerization of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, while PE ((C2H4)n) is produced from the polymerization of ethylene. Polyethylene is often used for making plastic films or containers, whereas PET is more typically used in fibers. It is more commonly known as polyester. For more information, see our guide on Polyethylene Terephthalate.

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.