POLYETHYLENE

AND POLYESTRENE

POLYETHYLENE
WHAT IS POLYETHYLENE?
 Polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer
consisting of long chains produced by
combining the ingredient monomer ethylene
(IUPAC name ethene), CH2= The ethene
molecule (known almost universally by its
common name ethylene) C2H4 is CH2, Two CH2
groups connected by a double bond.
          
 Polyethylene is created through
polymerization of ethene. It can be produced
through radical polymerization,
anionic addition polymerization,
ion coordination polymerization or
cationic addition polymerization. This is
because ethene does not have any
substituent groups that influence the
stability of the propagation head of the
polymer. Each of these methods results in a
different type of polyethylene.
CLASSSIFICATION:
Polyethylene is classified into several different categories
based mostly on its density and branching.Some of them are

 Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)

 Ultra low molecular weight polyethylene (ULMWPE or PE-
WAX)
 High molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE)
 High density polyethylene (HDPE)
 High density cross-linked polyethylene (HDXLPE)
 Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX or XLPE)
 Medium density polyethylene (MDPE)
 Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)
 Low density polyethylene (LDPE)
 Very low density polyethylene(VLDPE)
PROPERTIES:
 Depending on the crystallinity and molecular weight, a melting point
and glass transition may or may not be observable. The temperature
at which these occur varies strongly with the type of polyethylene.
For common commercial grades of medium- and high-density
polyethylene the melting point is typically in the range 120 to 130
°C (248 to 266 °F). The melting point for average, commercial, low-
density polyethylene is typically 105 to 115 °C (221 to 239 °F).
 Most LDPE, MDPE and HDPE grades have excellent chemical
resistance and do not dissolve at room temperature because of their
crystallinity. Polyethylene (other than cross-linked polyethylene)
usually can be dissolved at elevated temperatures in
aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene or xylene, or in chlorinated
solvents such as trichloroethane or trichlorobenzene.[citation needed]
 When incinerated, polyethylene burns slowly with a blue flame
having a yellow tip and gives off an odour of paraffin. The material
continues burning on removal of the flame source and produces a
drip.[11]
APPLICATION OF
POLYETHYLENE:
 Polyethylene is a class of thermoplastics practically
ubiquitous in consumer products. In its foam form,
polyethylene is used in packaging, vibration damping and
insulation, as a barrier or buoyancy component, or as
material for cushioning. Polyethylene foam is most frequently
seen as a packaging material.
 Polyethylene foam is buoyant, making it popular for nautical
uses. Many types of polyethylene foam are approved for use
in the food industry. Found in all types of packaging,
polyethylene foam is used to wrap furniture, computer
components, electronics, sporting goods, plants, frozen
foods, clothing, bowling balls, signs, metal products, and
more.
 Polyethelyne, particularly HDPE is often used in pressure pipe
systems due to its inertness, strength and ease of assembly.
POLYSTYRENE
 Polystyrene can either be a thermoset or a
thermoplastic. A thermoplastic polystyrene is in a solid
(glassy) state at room temperature, but flows if heated
above its glass transition temperature of about 100 °C
Pure solid polystyrene is a colorless, hard plastic with
limited flexibility. It can be cast into molds with fine
detail. Polystyrene can be transparent or can be made
to take on various colors.
 Solid polystyrene is used, for example, in disposable
cutlery, plastic models, CD and DVD cases, and smoke
detector housings. Products made from foamed
polystyrene are nearly ubiquitous, for example packing
materials, insulation, and foam drink cups.
 Polystyrene can be recycled, and has the
number "6" as its recycling symbol. The
increasing oil prices have increased the value
of polystyrene for recycling. No known
microorganism has yet been shown to
biodegrade polystyrene, and it is often
abundant as a form of pollution in the
outdoor environment, particularly along
shores and waterways especially in its low
density cellular form. Structure
 In chemical terms, polystyrene is a long
chain hydrocarbon wherein alternating
carbon centers are attached to phenyl groups
(the name given to the aromatic ring
benzene. Polystyrene's chemical formula is
(C8H8)n; it contains the chemical elements
carbon and hydrogen
APPLICATIONS OF
POLYSTYRENE
 It is used in the concrete construction and in
protective packaging.
 Eggs and dairy products, meat, fish and
poultry, cold drinks or carry-out meals. All
these products are safely packed with
polystyrene packaging materials