Characterization of Polyethylene Materials by Thermal Analysis

Introduction

Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely used polymer material, with applications including films, general molded products, electrical insulation, ropes, hoses, and others. PE is classified by density and production method as low density polyethylene (LDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), or high density polyethylene (HDPE). Numerous types such as linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) also exist, depending on the structure and molecular weight of the PE. These various types of polyethylene have different properties, including crystallinity, melting temperature, and decomposition temperature, and are used corresponding to the application of the product. This article introduces examples in which the thermal properties of several types of polyethylene were evaluated using the thermal analysis techniques DSC, DTG (TG-DTA), and TMA, and describes the usefulness of those techniques.

May 27, 2021 GMT