Everything You Need To Know About Polyethylene (PE)

In prototype making, SG Prototype Manufacturer are exposed to a wide variety of materials. We are generally divided into two major categories,Plastic or Metal. The right material for your project is dependent upon a number of variables including the product itself, as well as considerations such as mechanical properties, physical, thermal and chemical properties.

What is PE?

Polyethylene or polythene is the most common plastic. Is a thermoplastic polymer with variable crystalline structure on the particular type. There are a vast array of applications for polyethylene in which certain types are more or less well suited.

What Are The Different Types of Polyethylene?

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW)

Mechanical Properties:

Polyethylene is of low strength, hardness and rigidity, but has a high ductility and impact strength as well as low friction. It shows strong creep under persistent force, which can be reduced by addition of short fibers.(From Wikipedia)

Thermal properties

The usefulness of polyethylene is limited by its melting point of 80 °C melting point is typically in the range 120°C （From Wikipedia）

PE for Prototype Development on CNC Machines:

PE is available in sheet stock, rods, and even specialty shapes in a multitude of variants (LDPE, HDPE etc.), making it a good candidate for machining processes on a milling or lathe. You are pretty much stuck with CNC machining or Vacuum forming, if you need to use it in your prototype development process. Colors are white/Green/Yellow/Blue and Black. Density of PE is 0.910-0.9708 G / CM³. It’s lightly and Strong. Engineer are like to use this material for test. But not good at painting because of it’s character.

Here are some PE product pictures for your reference. Request PE sample processing for your new idea or small volume for marketing. Without any hesitation to contact us.