Plastic has many advantages in manufacturing. Not only is it cheap, but it is easier to manufacture and process than metals. Of course, just like there are many types of metals in the world, there are many forms of plastic too.

Some plastic is hard enough to sit on, but other forms of plastic are so soft that the wind could carry them away. If you need to know more about the right plastic for your needs, keep reading to learn the difference between LDPE and HDPE plastic sheets.

LDPE Plastic Has a Lower Melting Point

Before they can be used to make products, LDPE and HDPE plastic sheets must be melted down. Luckily, unlike metal, you don't need thousands of degrees to melt LDPE or HDPE plastic sheets, but they do not share the same melting point with each other. HDPE has a melting point of about 131 degrees Celsius, but LDPE plastic's melting point is only 110 degrees Celsius.

For this reason, they use much less energy than other types of materials to manufacture, and LDPE plastic uses a little less energy than HDPE plastic sheets. Overall, this can lower your business expenses and boost your bottom line. Plus, the plastic can be recycled and reused to produce more plastic sheets.

LDPE Plastic Sheets Are More Flexible

Even though they are quite similar, LDPE and HDPE plastic sheets drastically vary in flexibility. LDPE plastic is much more flexible. This makes it great for crafting softer plastics like sandwich bags or food packaging wrap.

Since it's less flexible, HDPE is a better choice for plastics that don't need as much flexibility. For example, your shampoo bottle may be made from HDPE. This makes it squeezable, but the plastic stays rigid, unlike a sandwich bag. HDPE is commonly used to make containers for milk, motor oil, soap, bleach, etc.

The downside to LDPE's flexibility becomes an issue during recycling. Since LDPE is so flexible, it can get stuck in the recycling machinery. HDPE is more rigid, so it is less likely to bend and wrap around machine parts or wedge itself into corners.

HDPE Plastic Sheets Are More Durable

While LDPE destroys HDPE in flexibility, HDPE has much better durability. This is due to how the molecules of the material form. LDPE is less crystalline than HDPE. The more crystalline a material, the better it holds together under stress. This results in more branching in LDPE.

In LDPE plastic, the branching causes smaller, poorly stacked layers of molecules. Think of it like a Jenga tower in the middle of a game. There are gaps and pieces are stacked haphazardly, ready to fall apart. HDPE is more like the Jenga tower before you start: everything is still solid and stacked well, so the tower has little risk of falling.

HDPE Plastic Sheets Resist UV Rays

HDPE plastic can resist UV rays well, which is incredibly important. As you already know, UV rays can be detrimental to your skin, but the damaging effects of UV rays can affect many other materials, including plastic.

UV rays can fade the coloring of plastic, and they can also weaken the structure, causing damage or increasing the risk of potential damage. HDPE plastic is better at resisting UV rays than LDPE. For this reason, it can also be used for products that will be used outside.

Both LDPE and HDPE plastic sheets have their uses, and which one you need largely depends on what you manufacture. For products that need more durability, HDPE is better, but if you need flexibility, consider LDPE plastic sheets. To learn more, contact a manufacturer like Seiler Plastics in your area today.

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