LDPE from a Snap-on Lid to a Playground Slide
LDPE is the low density version of Polyethylene. It has less hardness, stiffness and strength compared to HDPE, but more ductile. This plastic has an optimal density, hard wearing construct and long functional life. Its opacity means only thin foils can be transparent. LDPE is widely used for manufacturing various containers, dispensing bottles, wash bottles, tubing, and various molded laboratory equipment. Its most common use is in plastic bags.
Flexible Components
LDPE has a wide variety of uses:
- Very soft and pliable parts such as snap-on lids and six pack rings
- Packaging for computer hardware, such as hard disk drives, screen cards, and optical disc drives
- Children’s Activity Areas including Playground slides
- Plastic wraps
The versatility of LDPE makes it ideal for greenhouses and gardening tunnels, silage containers, electrical cable insulation and semiconductive layers Coax and HFFR (halogen-free flame retardant) cables. Low Density Polyethylene membranes are extensively used for prevention of liquid contamination. They act as perfect liners to prevent contaminations from entering groundwater sources, as well as prevent seepage loss.
The life span of roads depends on various factors like the soil being prevented from sub-grade movement. This is achieved by using LDPE sheet and LDPE plastic sheet placed in such a way that the aggregate is permanently separated from finer soils below. This prevents the sub-grade to enter into the aggregate and at the same time, improves the underground drainage of roadways and pedestrian walkways.
Other Applications
Other applications that LDPE can be used for:
- Agricultural purposes
- Lining of canals, reservoirs and ponds
- Lining of industrial effluent plants
- Tunnels and trenches and roads Packaging, water-proofing for terraced gardens
- Emergency shelter houses during natural disasters and conflict Fumigation covers and cover tops Tarpaulins and cap covers
- Aprons & runways in airports
LDPE Properties Data
| LDPE Physical Properties | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 0.20 - 0.40 N/mm² |
| Notched Impact Strength | no break |
| Thermal Coefficient of Expansion | 100 - 220 x 10ˉ⁶ |
| Max. Continued Use Temperature | 65˚C (149˚F) |
| Melting Point | 110˚C (230˚F) |
| Glass Transition Temperature | -125˚C (-193˚F) |
| Density | 0.910 - 0.940 g/cm³ |