Polyethylene - High density Sphere - Material Information

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a semi-crystalline, whitish thermoplastic polymer recognized for its strength, rigidity, and exceptional chemical resistance. As one of the most commonly used engineering polymers, HDPE combines lightweight performance with high impact resistance, even at low temperatures. In precision bearings, laboratory equipment, and engineering components, HDPE spheres offer durability, dimensional stability, and smooth motion performance under mechanical stress.

Material Overview

HDPE typically exhibits a crystallinity between 70–80% and a density ranging from 0.94–0.97 g/cm³. This high crystallinity leads to superior mechanical strength and low permeability to moisture and gases. According to Daramola et al. (2024), HDPE’s mechanical properties—including tensile strength (25–32 MPa), high ductility, and chemical inertness—make it a versatile matrix polymer for hybrid composites in aerospace, medical, and industrial applications. The polymer’s molecular structure of linear chains with minimal branching allows close chain packing, enhancing stiffness while retaining impact resistance.
?ahbaz and Akdo?an (2022) observed that thermal aging at 90 °C increases HDPE’s modulus of elasticity and tensile strength while reducing elongation at break, indicating enhanced rigidity with minor loss of flexibility. In shipbuilding applications, Wibawa et al. (2022) measured tensile strengths up to 32.7 MPa and confirmed HDPE’s suitability for marine environments due to its chemical and environmental resistance. The combination of mechanical stability, lightweight characteristics, and non-toxic composition continues to make HDPE a preferred material for high-performance industrial and consumer uses.

Applications and Advantages

HDPE spheres are employed in precision mechanical systems, flow measurement devices, and laboratory bearings due to their high wear resistance and low friction coefficient. Beyond precision applications, HDPE is used in piping, tanks, medical containers, and impact-resistant components. Its strong resistance to acids, bases, and solvents makes it ideal for chemical processing environments. Reinforced HDPE composites, as noted by Daramola et al. (2024), demonstrate improved stiffness and heat resistance, making them suitable for advanced engineering and aerospace systems. The material’s recyclability and energy efficiency during processing also contribute to its sustainability in modern material design.

Goodfellow Availability

Goodfellow supplies research-grade High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) spheres in a variety of diameters and purities for precision applications. Each product is manufactured to ensure uniform sphericity and consistent mechanical performance. Custom sizes and bulk quantities are available on request to meet specialized laboratory and engineering needs.

Explore Polyethylene - High Density (HDPE) and other advanced materials in Goodfellow’s online catalogue: Goodfellow product finder.

References

• Daramola, O. O., Jepkoech, R., Aramide, F. O., & Adediran, A. A. (2024). High-density polyethylene matrix hybrid composites: A review of their characterization, processing techniques, and promising applications. Matériaux et Techniques. https://doi.org/10.1051/mattech/2024024
• ?ahbaz, M., & Akdo?an, E. (2022). Investigation of the effect of thermal aging on the mechanical properties of high-density polyethylene materials. European Journal of Science and Technology, (33), 184–190. https://doi.org/10.31590/ejosat.1084996
• Wibawa, I. P. A., Abdullah, K., Sumardiono, S., Gafur, M. A., Restu Widodo, E. W., & Musthofa, Z. A. (2022). The analysis of tensile strength of high-density polyethylene for shipbuilding. International Journal of Marine Materials Engineering. https://doi.org/10.5220/0011769900003575
• Hieu, D. M., Thong, N. T., Le, T. M. L., Nga, P. T. H., Thành, N. C., & Trung, H. H. (2023). Study on tensile strength of high-density polyethylene/polyethylene terephthalate blend. Advances in Transdisciplinary Engineering. https://doi.org/10.3233/ATDE230437
• Bandt, C. (2023). Enhanced mechanical and thermal properties of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber compounds (NBR) by using high-density polyethylene (HDPE). In Polymer Engineering Applications. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-9267-4_37