What Is HDPE?
Posted on: 4 August 2021
Plastic isn't just one thing. There are several forms of plastic and they can be made out of all kinds of things, including things like vegetable oil, sawdust, and petroleum. The different kinds of plastics get used for different things, depending on what it's made of and what other things go into the formula. One form of plastic is HDPE.
HDPE
This stands for high-density polyethylene. It is a thermoplastic. All plastics have a resin identification code, and HDPE's code is 2. That means that it is always going to be recyclable. HDPE also has a high strength-to-density ratio, which makes it the perfect plastic to use in a lot of different applications.
Bottles
One of the most common uses for HDPE is bottles for things like water, detergents, shampoo, and soaps. The high strength-to-density level means that the bottles are going to be really strong, even if the bottles themselves are fairly thin. The plastic can have dyes inserted during the manufacturing process so that the resulting bottles can have distinctive colors or to protect the contents from light. There are some items that would end up degrading if the light gets to them.
Plastic Lumber
Plastic lumber is generally made out of recycled HDPE, but it can also be made out of virgin HDPE as well. This product is used in a lot of places. For example, it can be used in docks for boats. Plastic lumber can also be used for things like benches in parks or in your backyard. There are several benefits to using plastic lumber instead of wood. It's a greener choice, because it reuses plastic, instead of leaving it to fill up landfills, where it can sit for many, many years. Plastic lumber is also generally less expensive than some other materials, which can mean you get more for your money. Fencing can be made out of plastic lumber, and if you can get it at a lower price, then you can get more fencing material than you might otherwise have gotten, or gotten different features, like higher fences or privacy fences.
Plastic gets used in all industries and across every part of your life. Odds are that you have something plastic sitting within inches of you. HDPE plastic is a really common form of plastic and one that you are going to use probably every day. HDPE can be found in industrial settings, in construction settings, and in your house.
To learn more, contact a company like Sandhill Plastics.
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