Fantastic Plastic! The Wonders of HDPE

As far as construction materials are concerned, the use of plastic is fairly recent. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), for instance, was developed during the 1930s, but only saw widespread use about twenty years later. That said, this doesn’t mean that HDPE is an unproven material. Indeed, many construction contractors are starting to favor this type of plastic for their projects due to various reasons.

One of them is that HDPE has a very high resistance to bases, acids, and alcohols. In the commercial world, this means that HDPE is excellent for storing chemicals, beverages, and different types of solid food. In the construction industry, this means that HDPE can adapt to various kinds of paints, lubricants, and oils, making it a very resilient material.

This high resistance to different compounds also gives HDPE added toughness and tensile strength. Another reason why HDPE is favored by construction contractors is that it is very light and convenient to use. What’s more, HDPE is actually an eco-friendly material because it is absolutely recyclable.

However, builders may want to keep in mind that unlike other materials, HDPE has a much lower tolerance to temperature extremes. In addition, glues and adhesives are not recommended for HDPE planks and boards, partly because of the material’s resistance to chemicals, so instead they require mechanical bonding techniques, like welding.

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Home Improvement using “Plastic Lumber”

Despite the availability of longer lasting materials like stone and metal, most homeowners still insist on using wood as the main proponent of their decks, fences, and pergolas. Apart from being easier to use, wood offers a look that comes across as both more natural and more welcoming.

However, in exchange for aesthetics, homeowners also have to deal with wood that will not last for a long time. It may be lighter than metal or stone, and more natural than other materials, but it is also very susceptible to rot and easily fades after enduring rain, snow, and sunshine for several years.

Thankfully, with the continued advancement of different technologies and the commitment of the home improvement industry to provide sturdier and more environmentally friendly materials, “plastic lumber” has now become the standard when building outdoor spaces.

Composed of high-density polyethylene or HDPE, additives and fiberglass, plastic lumber looks, feels, and functions like real wood, but does not require the same amount of maintenance as real wood. Without the risk for deterioration, homeowners can create the exact living space they want, and have it looking and functioning like new for a long time.

While similar to real wood and easy to maintain, plastic lumber still comes in a variety of styles, weight, and sizes. Homeowners are advised to hire the services of a building, design and supplies company that uses high quality plastic lumber.

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HDPE: Handling Dense Plastic in Engineering

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a popular material employed in engineering. Being petroleum, this type of polyethylene thermoplastic is malleable enough for melting, shaping, and segmentation. As its name suggests, HDPE is denser than other polymer plastics due to its linear crystallization structure. The lack of branching and result of carbon and hydrogen molecule bonding are the plastic's immense tensile strength, lightness, and high resistance to solvents and acids.

Using HDPE in Engineering and Other Industries

HDPE's durability and non-responsiveness to chemicals make it a practical plastic for a wide range of industries. In packaging, for instance, this plastic is suitable material for plastic grocery bags, detergent, and milk bottles. It also makes for good, tight storage of fuels and chemicals.

In manufacturing, engineers are becoming more partial to the use of HDPE lumber. Plastic lumber is used in the construction of fence posts, boardwalks, decks, and furniture among many others. Being plastic, this recyclable's inability to rot, be an attractive feast for insects, and become a suitable surface for painting is making it the go-to alternative for wood. Environmentalists can also be assured that it is 100% recycled as well as 100% sustainable. Who knew the material our detergent bottles are made of is the durable bulk that might eventually replace and outperform wood and other plastic products?

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Types of Plastic Lumber

Plastic lumber is also known as composite lumber, because it is made with various substances that improves upon the material’s strength and durability. This material often uses recycled plastic components, making for an environment friendly building material. Moreover, it can withstand wet weather more readily and efficiently than ordinary lumber.

Single Polymer

As the name implies, single polymer plastic wood is made up of just one type of plastic. The material commonly uses recycled high density polyethylene or HDPE, which is also used to make detergent bottles and plastic bags. Thanks to its composition, single polymer plastic is more consistent than other plastic lumber materials.

Bio-Composite

Essentially, the components of bio-composite plastic lumber include shredded wood, flax, straw, rice hulls, and similar materials, which are embedded in a thermoplastic matrix. However, as these materials have short fibers, bio-composite materials tend to weaker than wood. This is why bio-composite plastic lumber must have about 50% or less of these short fiber materials to be considered plastic wood.

Fiberglass Reinforced

Fiberglass is an excellent building material as it can significantly improve the strength of the material it’s added to without significantly increasing its weight. Hence, fiberglass-reinforced wood sees plenty of use in tall buildings, marine equipment and structures, and even massive load bearing structures, thanks to its outstanding properties.

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HDPE—Getting to Know a Durable Plastic Material

Plastics are one of the most important inventions of the past 200 years. They are easily adaptable, have many uses, and are often tough to break. One such class of plastics is the centerpiece of a high value market – HDPE, or high-density polyethylene.

HDPE is a highly durable plastic made from petroleum. It possesses a high strength to density ratio and the density ranges from 0.93 to 0.97 grams per cubic centimeter. Intense heat tolerances are a hallmark point of the material, as it can withstand a continuous burst of heat up to 110 degrees Celsius while the tipping point for a short exposure is 120 degrees.

Although the plastic’s density is only slightly higher than LDPE (low density polyethylene), HDPE has significantly stronger intermolecular and tensile strength than its low density counterpart. The chemical composition also allows for high impact resistance and durability against corrosive materials, which is why it is mostly used in industrial and water pipes.

That being said, HDPE also serves a multitude of different uses—some companies have fashioned myriad applications for them. These include lining for fireworks, storage sheds, outdoor home extensions and related furniture, electrical boxes, and wood substitutes for important projects such as marina docks. In some cases, HDPE can be machined for use as school lockers.

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