1. Characteristic Properties of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE):
- High flexibility:
- LDPE is more flexible compared to other types of polymers such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), making it suitable for applications requiring bending or stretching.
- Lightweight:
- LDPE is lightweight, making it a very economical choice in the manufacture of bags and packaging. This property makes it an ideal choice in the packaging industry.
- Good corrosion resistance:
- LDPE has good moisture resistance and moderate chemicals, making it suitable for use in wet environment or in products exposed to light chemicals.
- Transparency:
- LDPE shows good transparency, allowing it to be suitable in applications that require a clear view of coated or preserved products.
- Endurance:
- While LDPE is less rigid than some other plastics, it still has endurance in multiple applications, especially in conditions where the material is not exposed to high temperatures or pressure.
2. Advantages:
- Flexibility and ease of processing:
- Low-density polyethylene is easy to process and shape using techniques such as extrusion or injection. It can also be converted into a wide range of plastic products thanks to this property.
- Water and moisture resistant:
- LDPE has its water and moisture resistance, making it ideal for food packaging or products that need protection from external items.
- economic
- Due to its lightweight and ease of production, LDPE is an economic material that contributes to reducing costs in different industries, especially in the bag and packaging industry.
- environmental sustainability:
- Although low-density polyethylene is not easy to degrade in the environment, it is considered recyclable, enhancing environmental sustainability when handled properly.
3. Applied Fields:
- Packaging Industry:
- It is mainly used in the production of plastic bags, whether shopping bags or bags for food packaging. It is also used in the manufacture of plastic casings and sheeting that protect products from external factors.
- Packagings:
- It is used in the manufacture of plastic packaging such as bottles and food cans. It is also used in packaging foods that require flexibility and good protection.
- Daily Products:
- It enters into the manufacture of many everyday products such as plastic lids, plastic curtains, and protection lids.
- Agricultural Applications:
- LDPE is used in making agricultural covers, such as plastic membranes to cover agricultural land, where it helps to maintain humidity and temperature.
4. Defects:
- Poor tolerance at high temperatures:
- LDPE is poor in high temperature tolerance compared to other types of plastic such as HDPE. So it is not suitable for use in applications that require resistance to high temperatures.
- Low mechanical strength:
- Despite its flexibility, LDPE is less robust and hard than some other plastics such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PPR).
5. Environmental sustainability:
- LDPE can be recycled, which is one of the reasons why it is suitable in frequently consumable material packaging industries. However, the environmental problem remains in the disposal of LDPE plastic bags, as they may take a long time in natural decomposition.