Low Density (LD) Polyethylene sheet is a soft, flexible, and lightweight material. Though Low Density Polyethylene sheets are flexible and lightweight, it is tough. However, it is not tougher than High-density polyethylene.

 LD sheet is known for its low-temperature flexibility and corrosion resistance. It has good chemical and impact resistance and is easy to fabricate and form. LDPE can withstand the temperature of 80 degrees Celsius continuously. Plus, it can handle 95 degrees Celsius for a short time.

Feature of LD Sheet

• Low in density
• Great resistance to acids, alcohols, bases, and esters
• Has electrical properties
• Good resistance to aldehydes, ketones, vegetable oil
• Not good chemical resistance and not recommended for use with halogenated hydrocarbon.

Low Density polyethylene sheets are widely used in various industries. Market including extrusion coatings, sheathing in cable, and injection molding also used LD sheets.

It is the oldest and most mature polyethylene. LD sheets are characterized by their short and long-chain branching, which gives it good clarity and processability, although it is not very strong.  

What are the uses of Low Density Polyethylene Sheets?

As LD sheet is soft and flexible, these sheets can be used in many ways. Low Density Polyethylene Sheet is mostly used in manufacturing various containers, dispensing bottles, wash bottles, and molded laboratory equipment.

Other uses are:

• LD plastic bags
• Light packaging material like waterproof carton lining, plastic wraps, and snap-on lids
• Corrosion protection layer for work surfaces
• Computer covers and packaging such as hardware, hard disk drives, screen cards, and optical dis drive
• Activity areas of children include playground slides
• Ideal for greenhouse and gardening tunnels, silage container, electrical cable insulation
• Trays and general-purpose containers
• Juice and milk cartons
• Film application for packaging and non-packaging application

It is excellent for preventing liquid contamination. As it acts as liners to prevent contaminations from entering groundwater sources as well as prevent seepage loss.

Low Density Polyethylene Sheet is also used in the food packaging industry. It is used to package meat and poultry, dairy products, snacks, sweets, frozen bags of foods, and baked foods. You will find this in a bakery shop.

Also, you will find Low Density Polyethylene Sheets being used in the non-food packaging industry. You will find it in garbage bags, garment bags and merchant bags. Other than in bags, you will also find it being used in industrial liners, stretch-wrap, shrink-wrap, and industrial sheeting.

The growth of LD sheet is so much that it is the second-largest application segment accounting for 10% of demand. It is used widely being used for coating paper and paperboard products for packaging.

As people are widely consuming packaged foods, LD sheet demand is rapidly increasing. So, an LD sheet is used to wrap the liquid package such as milk and juice. Every liquid package uses low density polyethylene sheets to prevent moisture to the paper.

Also, LD sheets are popularly used in insulation and jacketing material for wire and cable application. 

The production process of Low Density Polyethylene Sheet

There are two processes of making Low Density Polyethylene Sheet 1) Tubular Process, 2) Autoclave Process. Both of these processes use free radical chemistry.

Tubular process is better than the autoclave process. Globally, the tubular process is widely used to manufacture low density polyethylene sheets.

LD sheet is made by the process of ethylene at a very high temperature in a tubular reactor. In the tubular reactor, high-pressure polymerization allows further copolymerization of ethylene with polar co-monomers.

FAQs

Is polyethylene safe for the body?

Yes, polyethylene is safe for the body.

What is the difference between polyethylene and polythene?

Polyethylene and polythene are not very different. Polyethylene is a polymer of ethylene, and polythene is a polymer of ethane.

How is HDPE difference from LDPE?

Low density polyethylene is soft and flexible than High density polyethylene. HDPE is rigid and durable. And it also offers greater chemical resistance.

Is HDPE stronger than LDPE?

Yes, HDPE is stronger than LDPE. HDPE has greater tensile strength than LDPE.

Is LDPE waterproof?

Low density polyethylene is resistant to impact, moisture, and chemicals.

Why HDPE has a higher density than LDPE?

The formidable structure of HDPE gives a higher density than LDPE. The forces of attraction between polymer molecules in HDPE are stronger than LDPE.