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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