Polyethylene.

Polyethylene.

• Polyethylene(or polythene) is made from the polymerisation of ethylene (or ethene) monomer in the presence of catalyst.

  

  Polyethylene.

• It is a polymer of ethylene.
• Polyethylene is resistant to water,acids, alkalies and most solvents.
• Polyethylene contains the chemical elements carbon and hydrogen.
• Polyethylene (PE) is a plastic.
• Polyethylene belongs to the family of plastics called thermoplastics.

Types of polyethylene.

Based on density, polyethylene is classified into two types.

Low density polyethylene.

High density polyethylene.

Low density polyethylene.

• Low density polyethylene (LDPE) has a density range of 0.910 - 0.940 g/cm³ and is prepared by the free radical polymerisation of ethene.
• It is a poor conductor of electricity and is chemically inert.
• The LDPE is used for making plastic bags and film wrap.

High density polyethylene.

• High density polyethylene (HDPE) has a density range of 0.93 - 0.97 g/cm³.
• It is obtained when addition polymerisation of ethene take place in a hydrocarbon solvent.
• They are chemically inert as well as are used in making bottles, milk jugs, pipes and garbage containers. Next