Polyethylene Low Density, PE-LD (molding and extrusion) Material Data Sheet

Designation

Low density polyethylene / LDPE (Low/medium density, branched homopolymer)

Tradenames

Adtex, Agility, Alcudia, Attane, Axeleron, Bapolene, Borealis, Bormed, Bralen, Certene, Clearflex, Cosmothene, Daelim, Dinalen, Dow Electrical Telecommunications, Dupont, El-Lene, Eltex, Endurance, Epolene, Evolue, Exelene, Hanwha, Himod, Hipten, Icorene, Indothene, Ineos, Innoplus, Ipethene, J-Rex, Kazan, Kemcor, Lotrène, Lucalen, Lupolen, Lutene, Malen, Marflex, Marlex, Marpol, Microthene, Midilena, Mirason, Mtegrity, Nexus, Novapol, Novatec, Okiten, Osterlene, Paxothene, Pemex, Petilen, Petlin, Petrothene, Polene, Polycompo, Polymer-E, Prixene, Purell, Relene, Riblene, Ropoten, Samsung Total, Sanren, Sasol, Seetec, Sinpolene, Surespec, Taisox, Tipolen, Titanlene, Total, Trithene, Unilex, Venelene, Westlake, Yanshan

Typical uses

Chemically resistant fillings, bowls, lids, gaskets, toys, containers, packaging film, film liners, squeeze bottles, heat sealed films for metal laminates, pipe, cable covering, core in uhf cables.

Compositional summary

(CH2CH2)n homopolymer with a high degree of branching — i.e. substitution of H by polyethylene chain branches
Material family	Plastic (thermoplastic, semi-crystalline)
Base material	PE-LD (Polyethylene, low density)
Polymer code	PE-LD

Composition detail (polymers and natural materials)

Polymer

100

%

Physical properties

Density

0.917

–

0.932

g/cm3

Mechanical properties

Young’s modulus	0.172	–	0.283	GPa
Specific stiffness	0.186	–	0.306	MN.m/kg
Yield strength (elastic limit)	8.96	–	14.5	MPa
Tensile strength	13.3	–	26.4	MPa
Specific strength	9.69	–	15.7	kN.m/kg
Elongation	100	–	650	% strain
Compressive modulus	0.172	–	0.283	GPa
Compressive strength	10.8	–	17.4	MPa
Flexural modulus	0.241	–	0.33	GPa
Flexural strength (modulus of rupture)	18.6	–	37	MPa
Shear modulus	0.0594	–	0.0977	GPa
Bulk modulus	0.689	–	0.723	GPa
Poisson’s ratio	0.439	–	0.457
Shape factor	3.5
Hardness – Vickers	3	–	4	HV
Hardness – Rockwell M	29	–	31
Hardness – Rockwell R	40	–	50
Elastic stored energy (springs)	183	–	475	kJ/m3
Fatigue strength at 107 cycles	5.31	–	10.6	MPa

Impact & fracture properties

Fracture toughness	1.21	–	3.39	MPa.m0.5
Toughness (G)	7.82	–	44.3	kJ/m2
Impact strength, notched 23 °C	590	–	600	kJ/m2
Impact strength, notched -30 °C	590	–	600	kJ/m2
Impact strength, unnotched 23 °C	590	–	600	kJ/m2
Impact strength, unnotched -30 °C	590	–	600	kJ/m2

Thermal properties

Melting point	98	–	115	°C
Glass temperature	-125	–	-90	°C
Heat deflection temperature 0.45MPa	40	–	44	°C
Heat deflection temperature 1.8MPa	3	–	31	°C
Maximum service temperature	81	–	95	°C
Minimum service temperature	-68	–	-58	°C
Thermal conductivity	0.322	–	0.348	W/m.°C
Specific heat capacity	1.84e3	–	1.92e3	J/kg.°C
Thermal expansion coefficient	180	–	396	µstrain/°C
Thermal shock resistance	119	–	314	°C
Thermal distortion resistance	8.44e-4	–	0.00186	MW/m

Electrical properties

Electrical resistivity	3.3e24	–	3e25	µohm.cm
Electrical conductivity	5.75e-24	–	5.22e-23	%IACS
Dielectric constant (relative permittivity)	2.2	–	2.4
Dissipation factor (dielectric loss tangent)	4e-4	–	6e-4
Dielectric strength (dielectric breakdown)	17.7	–	39.4	MV/m
Comparative tracking index	600			V

Magnetic properties

Magnetic type

Non-magnetic

Optical, aesthetic and acoustic properties

Refractive index	1.57
Transparency	Translucent
Acoustic velocity	428	–	558	m/s
Mechanical loss coefficient (tan delta)	0.141	–	0.233

Absorption & permeability

Water absorption @ 24 hrs	0.005	–	0.01	%
Water vapor transmission	0.248	–	0.506	g.mm/m².day
Permeability (O2)	113	–	193	cm³.mm/m².day.atm

Processing properties

Polymer injection molding	Excellent
Polymer extrusion	Excellent
Polymer thermoforming	Acceptable
Linear mold shrinkage	1.5	–	5	%
Melt temperature	121	–	232	°C
Mold temperature	30	–	50	°C
Molding pressure range	34.4	–	103	MPa

Durability

Water (fresh)	Excellent
Water (salt)	Excellent
Weak acids	Excellent
Strong acids	Acceptable
Weak alkalis	Acceptable
Strong alkalis	Acceptable
Organic solvents	Limited use
Oxidation at 500C	Unacceptable
UV radiation (sunlight)	Poor
Flammability	Highly flammable