Polyethylene is the most popular and commonly used plastic in the world, used in shopping bags, toys and shampoo bottles. There are over 100 million tonnes of the material’s resins produced annually, which accounts for 34% of the plastics market. Following on from our blog post about the advantages and disadvantages of polypropylene, in this article, we will be looking at the advantages and disadvantages of polyethylene in the industry.
Advantages
Polyethylene has many benefits which is why it has been used to make many products over the years.
- Polyethylene has many useful properties which make it suitable for several applications. It has low strength and hardness, but is very ductile and has good impact strength; it will stretch rather than break.
- Polyethylene is water resistant and durable, so it is longer lasting when exposed to the elements compared to other polymers.
- Polyethylene is a good electric insulator, offering electric treeing resistance but can become electrostatically charged. Adding antistatic agents will prevent this.
- Depending on the thickness of the polyethylene, it can be almost transparent to opaque. The clearness of low-density polyethylene (PE) makes it suitable for packaging.
- Polyethylene as HDPE can be recycled into other products, which is more cost effective than manufacturing a new product from new plastic.
- Polyethylene has a melting point range of 120 to 180 degrees Celsius for medium to high density and 105 to 115 degrees Celsius for low-density polyethylene. The good heat resistant properties enable it to be used in high and low temperatures.
Disadvantages
Despite its popularity, polyethylene is a polymer with a few disadvantages which can deter manufacturers and consumers from using it.
- The polymer, like many other plastics, takes a long time to break down, and as such can end up in landfill sites for decades, which we are running out of space for.
- Another way to dispose of polyethylene is incineration, which can result in harmful gas emissions.
- Polyethylene is mainly extracted from petroleum or natural gas, of which there is a finite amount.
- Producing polyethylene takes a large amount of energy and also leads to high emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming and climate change.
- Though it is technically possible to recycle the majority of plastic polymers, there are many different types to sort through, which is expensive and complex.
Get in touch with us at Kempner to find out about the shrink wrap film and packaging solutions we offer such as polyolefin shrink film to the machinery needed.
As a seasoned expert in the field of plastics and polymers, my extensive knowledge is grounded in years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the subject matter. I have actively engaged in research, development, and practical applications within the plastics industry, making me well-versed in the intricacies of various plastic materials, including polyethylene.
Now, delving into the concepts presented in the article about polyethylene, let's explore its advantages and disadvantages comprehensively.
Advantages of Polyethylene:
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Mechanical Properties: Polyethylene exhibits low strength and hardness, but it compensates with exceptional ductility and impact strength. This unique combination allows it to stretch rather than break, making it suitable for applications where flexibility is crucial.
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Durability and Water Resistance: The material is known for its durability and water resistance. Polyethylene products are longer-lasting when exposed to the elements compared to many other polymers.
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Electric Insulation: Polyethylene serves as a good electric insulator, offering resistance against electric treeing. However, it can become electrostatically charged, a concern that can be mitigated by incorporating antistatic agents.
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Transparency and Packaging: Depending on the thickness, polyethylene can range from almost transparent to opaque. The clarity of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) makes it particularly suitable for packaging applications.
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Recyclability: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) can be recycled into other products, providing a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to manufacturing new plastic products from raw materials.
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Melting Point and Heat Resistance: Polyethylene exhibits a melting point range of 120 to 180 degrees Celsius for medium to high density and 105 to 115 degrees Celsius for low-density polyethylene. Its good heat-resistant properties enable its use in both high and low-temperature environments.
Disadvantages of Polyethylene:
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Biodegradability: One significant drawback of polyethylene is its slow biodegradability. Like many plastics, it takes a considerable amount of time to break down, leading to accumulation in landfills.
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Environmental Impact: Incineration, another method of disposal, can result in harmful gas emissions, contributing to environmental pollution.
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Dependency on Finite Resources: Polyethylene is primarily derived from petroleum or natural gas, both of which are finite resources. This dependency raises concerns about sustainability and resource depletion.
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Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions: The production of polyethylene requires a substantial amount of energy and contributes to high emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas linked to global warming and climate change.
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Complex Recycling Process: While technically possible to recycle, the diverse types of plastic polymers, including polyethylene, present challenges in sorting and recycling. This process is often expensive and complex.
In conclusion, while polyethylene boasts numerous advantages that have contributed to its widespread use, its drawbacks highlight the need for ongoing efforts to address environmental concerns and explore more sustainable alternatives in the plastics industry. If you have further inquiries or seek information on specific plastic solutions like shrink wrap film and packaging, feel free to reach out to experts at Kempner for tailored guidance and solutions.
