Polyolefins are the largest group of thermoplastics, with the two most popular types being polypropylene and polyethylene, due to their wide variety of applications. Polyolefins are polymers formed from simple olefins such as ethylene, propylene, butenes, isoprenes or pentenes, or from copolymers and derivative modifications.
Low density polyethylene (LDPE) resins are used for a large number of high performance and general purpose applications. There are a great variety of specific grades for different transformation techniques.
There are several variations of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), from Octene C8, Hexene C6 and Butene C4, of varying densities: from high (up to 0.941 g/cm3) to very low (0.905 g/cm3). LLDPE is used for film extrusion, blow moulding, rotomoulding and injection moulding for packaging food, frozen food, radiation heating pipes and cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.
There are several variations of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), from Octene C8, Hexene C6 and Butene C4, of varying densities: from high (up to 0.941 g/cm3) to very low (0.905 g/cm3). LLDPE is used for film extrusion, blow moulding, rotomoulding and injection moulding for packaging food, frozen food, radiation heating pipes and cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.
There are several variations of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), from Octene C8, Hexene C6 and Butene C4, of varying densities: from high (up to 0.941 g/cm3) to very low (0.905 g/cm3). LLDPE is used for film extrusion, blow moulding, rotomoulding and injection moulding for packaging food, frozen food, radiation heating pipes and cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.
There are several variations of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), from Octene C8, Hexene C6 and Butene C4, of varying densities: from high (up to 0.941 g/cm3) to very low (0.905 g/cm3). LLDPE is used for film extrusion, blow moulding, rotomoulding and injection moulding for packaging food, frozen food, radiant heating pipes and cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.
Both ULDPE (ultra low density polyethylene) and VLDPE (very low density polyethylene) are basically LDPE with densities below 0.880 g/cm3. ULDPEs are mainly used as impact modifiers for other polyolefins.
These polymers are high performance, new generation polyethylene (PE), also called Linear Metallocenes. They are used in a large number of film applications, such as packaging, agriculture, construction and building and industrial applications. They offer great performance, significantly improving the general properties of PE and providing added value to the product manufactured.
MDPE is a thermoplastic within the polyethylene family with a density of 0.926-0.940 g/cm3, which is less dense than the more common HDPE.
A versatile thermoplastic polymer with a great cost/performance ratio. Its general hardness, flexibility and impact resistance at low temperatures make it ideal for consumer and industrial products. By complying with FDA regulations it is appropriate for food and medical applications.
HDPE resins are the choice for many applications due to their resistance to cracking, rigidity and ability to withstand high temperatures and deformation. They provide a great range of properties for almost any blow moulding process for hollow bodies.
HDPE resins are used in blown film applications where rigidity and low thickness are very important. The composition of HDPE offers optimum performance features for blown film processes.
Notable mainly for its strength, low cost and impact resistance.
EVA is an elastomer used to produce materials that look “rubbery” due to their softness and flexibility. The vinyl acetate content determines the degree of elasticity; it also has good transparency and gloss and resistance at low temperature to stress cracking and UV radiation. EVA has a slight characteristic odour of vinegar (acetic acid) and competes with rubber products, as well as with certain polymers in many electrical applications.
Polypropylene is an economical material that offers a combination of excellent physical, mechanical, thermal and electrical properties not found in any other thermoplastic. Compared with low or high density polyethylene, it has lower impact resistance, but a higher temperature resistance and higher tensile strength. Polypropylene homopolymer (PPH) is the most used. It has a high strength/weight ratio and is more rigid than the copolymer. This, combined with good chemical resistance and weldability, means it is used in many corrosion resistant structures.
Polypropylene copolymer (PPC) is a bit softer, but has better impact resistance, is stronger and more durable than polypropylene homopolymer (PPH). It tends to have a better resistance to stress cracking and a lower strength at temperature than the homopolymer, with other slight reductions in the performance of other properties.
Random PPC, unlike PPC, has the comonomer units arranged in irregular or random patterns along the polypropylene molecule. They are generally selected for applications where a more malleable and more transparent product is desired, although with less impact resistance than PPC.
Polypropylene compounds are thermoplastic resins produced using a mixture of one or more base polyolefins with various components, such as impact modifiers, fillers and strengtheners (e.g. mineral fillers and glass fibre), pigments and additives. These polypropylene compounds offer a wide range of features and are used in a wide variety of applications.
These are PP elastomers with a molecular structure of propylene and ethylene monomers integrated in the molecular chain having very diverse applications. The ethylene content determines the degree of elasticity and they have the advantage of being able to be mixed with PE and PP of all kinds.