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Polyhedron Laboratories specializes in a variety of polyethylene analysis and testing services. Polyethylene plastic (polyethene or polymethylene) is the most widely used plastic in the world, carrying an annual production rate of approximately 80 million metric tons. Its primary use is in various packaging products such as plastic shopping bags and plastic food containers. Polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer consisting of long chains of the monomer ethylene and is abbreviated as PE. Polyethylene consists of the two chemical elements hydrogen and carbon. PE is created through the polymerization of ethene and is classified into several categories based primarily on its density and branching of its molecular structure and weight.
PROPERTIES | ASTM TEST METHOD | LOW DENSITY | LINEAR LOW DENSITY | HIGH DENSITY |
---|---|---|---|---|
Melt flow (g/10 min) |
D1238 |
0.25-35 |
0.15-50 |
0.25-50 |
Melting temperature, °C |
|
118-160 |
76-232 |
138 |
Processing temp. range, °C Injection |
|
149-232 |
176-260 |
176-260 |
Extrusion |
|
121-300 |
249-293 |
149-300 |
Molding pressure range, 103 psi |
|
5-15 |
5-15 |
|
Mold (linear) shrinkage, in/in |
D955 |
0.002-0.05 |
0.015-0.02 |
|
Tensile strength at break, psi |
D638 |
1080-2200 |
1100-5200 |
1400-5600 |
Elongation at break, % |
D638 |
4-650 |
1-1000 |
1-1000 |
Tensile yield strength, psi |
D638 |
1100-2700 |
800-3400 |
3200-5200 |
Compressive strength (rupture or yield) psi |
D695 |
|
|
|
Flexural strength (rupture or yield) psi |
D790 |
|
2600-72500 |
7000 |
Tensile modulus, 103 psi |
D638 |
13-70 |
21-81 |
150-195 |
Compressive modulus, 103 psi |
D695 |
|
|
|
Flexural modulus, 103 psi 23°C |
D790 |
18-56 |
27-100 |
115-260 |
Izod Impact, ft·lb/in of notch |
D256A |
|
0.34-10 |
0.5-4 |
Hardness Rockwell |
D785 |
R41 |
|
|
Shore/ Barcol
|
D2240 D2583 |
Shore A55-98 Shore D32-98 |
Shore A72 Shore D26-68 |
Shore D60-70 |
Coef. of linear thermal expansion, 10-6 in/in/°C |
D696 |
120-200 |
65-360 |
150-155 |
Deflection temperature °C 264 psi |
D648 |
38-49 |
32-43 |
42-50 |
66 psi |
D648 |
38-71 |
22-76 |
65-115 |
Specific gravity |
D792 |
0.4-2.04 |
0.9-2.1 |
0.96-0.97 |
Water Absorption, % 24 hrs. |
D570 |
0.01-0.1 |
|
|
Dielectric strength short time, v/mil |
D149 |
500-800 |
500-550 |
700 |
Polyhedron Laboratories specializes in performing the tests listed in the above table. Contact Polyhedron Laboratories today to learn more about our polyethylene testing services.
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or call us at 281.879.8600