Polyethylene, High Density

Abstract

Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely used plastic throughout the world, and high density polyethylene (HDPE) is the most widely used type of polyethylene. It was invented independently in the early 1950s in three different laboratories across the world. Commercial catalytic processes were quickly developed based on three different transition metals: Cr, Mo, and Ti. Today, hundreds of different grades of HDPE are manufactured by dozens of different commercial processes worldwide to meet the demands of applications too numerous to describe completely. The properties of HDPE can be made to vary widely for these specialized applications by varying its molecular structure, such as the molecular weight (MW); the MW distribution; the amount; type, and placement of short‐chain branching; the end group composition; and the degree of long‐chain branching. These affect the stiffness of the polymer; the gloss or clarity; the impact, puncture, and tear resistance; chemical resistance; electrical insulation properties; molding characteristics; and tensile properties. Common uses for HDPE include food packaging, bottles, bags, medical applications, drums, fuel tanks and other automotive parts, pipe, film, geomembranes, toys, film, and filament.

Condensed Mode Cooling for Ethylene Polymerization: Part V—Reduction of the Crystallization Rate of HDPE in the Presence of Induced Condensing Agents

“…For pure HDPE average value of T 0 m is approximately 135.5 °C. While this value it is lower than the theoretical melting point for HDPE ( T 0 m ≈ 142 °C), this value lies within the range 133–138 °C typically observed for real HDPE . These differences are due to possible experimental error, but all points present errors less than 5%.…”

Silica supported single‐walled carbon nanotubes as a modifier in polyethylene composites

“…Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely used plastic because it is least costly, easily molded by many different processes, and exhibits a wide variety of useful properties such as high chemical, electrical, and impact resistance 1. The properties of PE are sometimes further modified by adding inorganic reinforcing agents, such as calcium carbonate, clay, talc, mica, powdered metals, and carbon black.…”

How well can renewable resources mimic commodity monomers and polymers?

“…In this regard, synthesis strategies for ethylene, propylene, a-olefins, methylmethacrylate, 1,3-butadiene, 1,3-cyclohexadiene, isoprene, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, and terephthalic acid are discussed as well as opportunities for other renewable-based monomers. V C 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 50: [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] 2012 …”