PE
Polyethylene (PE) is the most common plastic family, covering LDPE, HDPE and UHMWPE, all light, water-resistant, chemically resistant and low friction. The right PE grade is chosen by the stiffness, wear resistance and cost the application needs.
What it is
Density and molecular weight define the grades: LDPE is soft and flexible; HDPE (PE300) is stiffer and weldable; UHMWPE (PE1000) has exceptional wear and impact resistance. All resist most chemicals and absorb virtually no water.
PE is food-safe in suitable grades and easy to machine and fabricate.
Typical applications
- Wear strips and liners
- Tanks and fabricated parts
- Cutting boards and food parts
- Flexible covers and tubing
- Marine and outdoor components
Materials & grades
- LDPE
- HDPE (PE300)
- PE500
- UHMWPE (PE1000)
Points to consider
- Low maximum temperature across the family.
- Choose UHMWPE for wear, HDPE for fabrication, LDPE for flexibility.
- High thermal expansion; allow for it on long parts.
- Hard to bond; mechanical fixing preferred.
Frequently asked questions
What types of polyethylene are there?
LDPE (flexible), HDPE (stiffer, weldable) and UHMWPE (very wear resistant) are the main grades.
What does PE500 or PE1000 mean?
Designations by molecular weight; PE1000 is UHMWPE with the best wear resistance, PE500 is in between.
Is PE food safe?
Food-grade PE is widely used for cutting boards and food processing parts.