Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) is a type of
polyethylene
Polyethylene or polythene (abbreviated PE; IUPAC name polyethene or poly(methylene)) is the most commonly produced plastic. It is a polymer, primarily used for packaging (plastic bags, plastic films, geomembranes and containers including bott ...
defined by a density range of 0.926–0.940 g/cm
3. It is less dense than
HDPE, which is more common.
MDPE can be produced by chromium/silica catalysts,
Ziegler-Natta catalysts or
metallocene catalysts. MDPE has good shock and drop resistance properties. It also is less notch sensitive than HDPE. Stress cracking resistance is better than that of HDPE. MDPE is typically used in gas pipes and fittings, sacks,
shrink film, packaging film, carrier bags, and screw closures.
Polyethylene Fittings - Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE)
In the United Kingdom, black (or blue) MDPE is often used for water and waste water plumbing, and may also be referred to as 'black alkathene.'
See also
* Cross-linked polyethylene
Cross-linked polyethylene, commonly abbreviated PEX, XPE or XLPE, is a form of polyethylene with cross-links. It is used predominantly in building services pipework systems, hydronic radiant heating and cooling systems, domestic water piping, in ...
(PEX)
* High-density polyethylene
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene high-density (PEHD) is a thermoplastic polymer produced from the monomer ethylene. It is sometimes called "alkathene" or " polythene" when used for HDPE pipes. With a high strength-to-density rati ...
(HDPE)
* Electrofusion
Electrofusion is a method of joining MDPE, HDPE and other plastic pipes using special fittings that have built-in electric heating elements which are used to welding, weld the joint together.
The pipes to be joined are cleaned, inserted into the ...
* Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)
* Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
* Plastic recycling
* Stretch wrap
* Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
References
External links
Medium Density Polyethylene Specialty Rinse Tanks
MDPE UK Supplier
Packing and Shipping Supplies
Polyolefins
Plastics
Packaging materials
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