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Know Your Plastics Series: Low Density Polyethylene

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Low-Density Polyethylene Acronyms and Resin Identification Number. As members of the polyolefin resin family, Low-Density Polyethylene and High-Density Polyethylene are the lightweight, versatile resins used in producing a majority of plastic products in the world. However, LDPE and HDPE differ at one central point – their molecular arrangement. . This difference lies in the structure of the long, chainlike molecules in polyethylene. When these molecules are linear, they form High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE); when branched, they are known as Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE). Molecular Structure of HDPE and LDPE Low-Density Polyethylene is the result of placing gaseous ethylene with oxide initiators under very high pressures and temperatures. This process creates a structure consisting of both long and short branches that limits the compacting of the polyethylene molecules that should make it crystalline, stiff and hardy. LDPE is the very flexible material used in squeeze bottles, trash

Know Your Plastics: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)

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Different PET products For every container used for soft drink and water, shampoo and liquid soap, cooking oil, food dressing and spread and; For every oven food tray, roasting bag, curtain, upholstery, thread, tyre cord filament, industrial fibre, and industrial filtration fabric, you are more than likely looking at a plastic product made of Polyethylene terephthalate. Still in doubt? Look for the inscription “bubble” or the recycling code “1” encased in a triangle of chasing arrows on the container or the item itself and, there you have it! You have identified a polyethylene terephthalate AKA PETE AKA PET! Polyethylene Terephthalate recycling code and acronyms Background The very first preparation of PET was made during a 1940 study of phthalic acid by Rex J. Whinfield and James T. Dickson of the Calico Printers Association, England. However, the war at the time delayed the publication of its patent specification. This stalled the production of the Terylene fibre by Imperial C