Chemical-resistant plastic with high flexibility
Polyethylene (PE) is a standard thermoplastic and one of the most widely used polymers worldwide. The material is characterized by its high chemical resistance, flexibility, and excellent moisture resistance.
Polyethylene exhibits very high resistance to a wide range of chemicals, including acids, alkalis, and alcohols. This property makes the material particularly suitable for applications in chemically aggressive environments. A key characteristic is its low water absorption. PE is hydrophobic and retains its properties even under continuous exposure to moisture.
Depending on the grade (e.g., PE-LD, PE-HD, or UHMW-PE), polyethylene (PE) can range from highly flexible to relatively rigid. Low-density grades are particularly elastic and easily formable. In addition, PE offers good impact resistance and a low coefficient of friction, making it suitable for dynamic applications.
Anwendung von PE:
Another important application area for polyethylene is piping systems. Due to its resistance to moisture and chemicals, PE is well suited for water, gas, and chemical pipelines. These can be formed into a wide variety of geometries through thermoforming, bending, and flanging.
In addition, the material is used for simple and less heavily loaded components. In low-volume applications, these are typically manufactured by machining. A wide range of colors is available (for example, for identifying different functions).
Typical application areas:
- Pipelines and hoses
- Containers
- Levers, discs, and indicator elements
- Pins and bushings
Properties at a glance:
- High chemical resistance
- Low water Absorption
- High flexibility (depending on type)
- Good impact resistance
- Low friction and good sliding properties
Technical properties of PET:
| Properties | Unit | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Color | white | |
| Density | g/cm³ | 0,96 |
| Tensile strength | N/mm² | 28 |
| Tensile elongation at break | % | 10 |
| Elongation at break | % | >50 |
| Flexural strength | MPa | 27 |
| Hardness | Shore D | 62 |
| Thermal conductivity at 23°C | W (k * m) | 0,4 |
| Maximum continuous service temperature (20,000 h) | °C | 80 |
| Minimum service temperature | °C | -100 |
| Volume resistivity | Ω * cm | 1014 |
| Surface resistivity | Ω | 1012 |
Material datasheet available for download:
Further Important Engineering Plastics and High-Performance Plastics:
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