Establishing your business from scratch can be a tedious and stressful process. First and foremost, you have to know in which field or industry you should best invest your money. To avoid throwing your hard-earned assets out the window, it is crucial to do a lot of research before starting your own business. Following the latest trends in business is good, but it doesn’t guarantee your success. Yes, sure, you can follow suit and start a business based on the current popular trend, but take note that it is more important to establish one that will surely give you a profit and not go bankrupt easily. Remember to always consider the longevity and profitability of your enterprise. Without taking these things into consideration, you might end up wasting your time, effort, and money. Every aspiring business owner fears such a loss, so it is essential to be fully equipped with knowledge and skills before starting a business.
If you are planning to start a business in an industry that uses HDPE material but have little to no knowledge about it, read further into this article. We will give you an insight on what HDPE materials are, their properties, and their applications. Who knows? You might be the next big manufacturer or supplier of HDPE pipes! But before anything else, here are the things you need to know about HDPE materials:
First and foremost, what is HDPE? High-density polyethylene, also known as HDPE, is a trendy thermoplastic material that is produced from the polymerization of ethylene. It is a linear version of polyethylene and a light, versatile synthetic resin. When used for pipes, HDPE materials are called “alkathene” or “polythene.” HDPE is commonly recycled, and with a high strength-to-density ratio, it can be used to produce plastic bottles, pipes, and even geomembranes. It is known for its impressive properties, which make it perfect for the production of such products.
One of the properties for which HDPE material is most known is its high strength-to-density ratio. It ranges from 930 to 970 kg/m. The density of HDPE is only a little bit higher than LDPE. However, since HDPE has little branching, it has stronger intermolecular forces and tensile strength. Also, it is important to note that the difference in strength exceeds the difference in density. Hence, HDPE has a higher specific strength than LDPE. In addition, it is harder and more opaque. It can also withstand higher temperatures and is resistant to a variety of solvents. The physical properties of HDPE can vary. It can depend on the molding process that will be used to manufacture a specific sample.
We listed some of the other performance characteristics of HDPE material here:
- They can be easily welded by using thermoplastic welding equipment.
- They have low moisture absorption.
- They are lightweight and easy to fabricate.
- They have good chemical and corrosion resistance.
- They have excellent surfaces for food preparation.
HDPE material is available and commonly used for a variety of applications. Here’s a list of products where HDPE is widely used:
- Chemical tanks and containers
- Cutting boards for food preparations
- Medical facilities such as orthotics and prosthetics
- Outdoor and indoor playground systems
- Swimming pool installation
- Outdoor cabinetry and furniture
- Boats and other marine construction
- Water pipe flanges
- 3D printer filament
- Geomembranes for hydraulic applications
- Electrical and plumbing boxes
- Ballistic plates
- Folding chairs and tables
- Fireworks
- Fuel tanks for vehicles
- Milk jugs and laundry detergent jugs
There are many other products that are not on the list where HDPE materials are used. In conclusion, HDPE is advantageous for manufacturers as it has excellent properties and features such as malleability and moldability.
