LDPE Plastic Material & Machining
Flexible & exceptionally formable material ideal for medical applications
Designers and engineers choose LDPE (low density polyethylene) because of its formability, flexibility, and stress-crack resistance. This polymer poises itself as a versatile and widely used thermoplastic due to its molecular structure characterized by its long chains of ethylene monomers. With its branched structure, this resin has a more open molecular arrangement with lower density when compared to its high density sibling, HDPE.
Its structure gives this material a few advantages. It has a softer and more pliable feel while still retaining an element of strength. It often offers itself as a cost effective solution for short-term use plastics, such as packaging, films, and bags. Widely recyclable, this lightweight resin can offer a more environmentally conscious answer to packaging needs and other relevant uses.
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Plastic Machining with LDPE Plastic transcript
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More about LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (LDPE)
Key Facts about LDPE
- Flexible yet tough
- Resistant to stress cracking
- One of the easiest materials to craft through extrusion and injection molding
- Translucent capable (depending on product)
- Good chemical resistance
- Low water absorption rate
- Widely recyclable
- Cost effective
Properties & Characteristics
LDPE has several properties that make it an attractive option for those seeking a combination of cost efficiency, strength, and plasticity. As a softer and more flexible variety of polyethylene, it resists stress cracking while still keeping great strength.
| Grade | Product Characteristics | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| LDPE | Flexible, resistant to stress cracking, soft | Molded laboratory equipment, medical prosthetics |
As the resin often shows exceptional formability, many engineers and designers choose it for a breadth of products and assemblies in the medical industry. For example, prosthetic providers often choose LDPE for their products due to that quality along with its low water absorption.
Regarding temperature and chemical resistance, LDPE still retains some good qualities. Seeing as it has a low melting point at 105°C to 115°C (221 to 239°F, respectively), this quality makes it easily moldable to fit the product's purpose. It does not require extensive machining or processing to become viable and market-ready in most cases. When it comes to chemical resistance, LDPE demonstrates great resistance to a wide variety of chemicals including acids, bases, and alcohols. This qualifies it for use in containers and packaging even for the food industry.
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