Polyethylene (PE)
Material properties of polyethylene
Characteristic of polyethylene (PE) is the wax-like, anti-adhesive surface. Polyethylene belongs to the soft and flexible thermoplastics. They are semi-crystalline. The molar mass, crystallinity, structure and thus their properties depend largely on the polymerisation process off. PE is one of the most versatile thermoplastics besides PVC. In its basic form, PE is colourless, translucent to milky white.
PE is characterised above all by good wear resistance (PE-UHMW), high impact strength, even at low temperatures, and excellent chemical resistance.
Typical applications of polyethylene are found in the packaging industry, as a flat gasket or in apparatus engineering. Due to operating temperatures even in the deep minus range and approvals in the food industry, PE(-UHMW) is also ideal for use in the food industry and deep freezing technology.