9002-88-4

Basic information

• Product Name: Poly(ethylene)
• Synonyms: pad522;pe512;pe617;pen100;pep211;pes100;pes200;petrothene
• CAS NO: 9002-88-4
• Molecular Formula: C2H4
• Molecular Weight: 28.05316
• EINECS: 200-815-3
• Product Categories: Polymers;Alphabetic;Organic Soluble Polymers;P;POLB - POLYPolymer Standards;Polyethylene;Ethylene;Hydrophobic Polymers;Olefins;Industrial Raw MaterialsCertified Reference Materials (CRMs);IRMM/BCR Certified Reference Materials;Non-metalsAlphabetic;POLB - POLY;Reference/Calibration Standards;EnvironmentalCertified Reference Materials (CRMs);Application CRMs;Certified Reference Materials (CRMs);Industrial Raw Materials;Industrial Raw MaterialsApplication CRMs;Matrix CRMs;Non-metalsCertified Reference Materials (CRMs);Polymer Standards;Hydrophobic Polymers;Materials Science;Polymer Science
• Mol File: 9002-88-4.mol
• Article Data: 0

Chemical Properties

• Melting Point: 92 °C
• Boiling Point: 48-110 °C(Press: 9 Torr)
• Flash Point: 270 °C
• Appearance: White/powder
• Density: 0.962 g/mL at 25 °C
• Storage Temp.: ?20°C
• Water Solubility: Soluble in acetone and benzene. Insoluble in water.
• Stability: Stable, but breaks down slowly in uv light or sunlight. Incompatible with halogens, strong oxidizing agents, benzene, petroleum
• Merck: 14,7567
• CAS DataBase Reference: Poly(ethylene)(CAS DataBase Reference)
• NIST Chemistry Reference: Poly(ethylene)(9002-88-4)
• EPA Substance Registry System: Poly(ethylene)(9002-88-4)

Safety Data

• Safety Statements: 22-24/25
• WGK Germany: 3
• RTECS: TQ3325000
• TSCA: Yes
• Hazardous Substances Data: 9002-88-4(Hazardous Substances Data)

Usage

Description

Polyethylene, also known as poly(ethylene) or PE, is a flexible, waxy, translucent polyalkene thermoplastic made in a variety of ways, producing a polymer of varying characteristics. It is derived from petroleum gas or dehydration of alcohol and is composed of long hydrocarbon chains. Polyethylene is used to regulate viscosity, suspension properties, and general stability in cosmetic formulations.

Uses

Used in Plastics Industry:
Polyethylene is used as a thermoplastic polymer for the development of plastics, offering properties such as flexibility, toughness, and chemical resistance.
Used in Paper and Packaging Industry:
Polyethylene is used as a hot melt coating for paper, providing waterproofing and enhancing the strength of the paper. It is also used as an additive in cast moldings, candles, oil-based inks, and hot melt adhesives.
Used in Cosmetics Industry:
Polyethylene is used to regulate viscosity, suspension properties, and general stability in cosmetic formulations, ensuring the desired texture and performance of the products.
Used in Automotive and Industrial Parts:
Polyethylene is used in the production of injection and blow molded toys, housewares, lids, car seats, mower parts, pails, thin-walled containers, and other industrial parts. It is also used as an additive to unsaturated polyesters, epoxides, and other polymers to impart the unique properties of UHMWPE, which is used in industrial parts, coatings, and wear surfaces.
Used in Film and Packaging Industry:
Polyethylene is used in film applications having good drawdown and toughness, providing strength and flexibility to the packaging materials.
Used in Rubber and Plastics Processing:
Polyethylene serves as a mold release additive, lubricant in rubber processing, extrusion and calendering aid for PVC, and dispersing aid for color concentrates.
Used in Manufacturing of Bearings, Gears, and Bushings:
Polyethylene is used in the production of bearings, gears, bushings, and other moving parts due to its wear resistance and low friction properties.
Used in Medical and Laboratory Applications:
Polyethylene is used in laboratory tubing, making prostheses, and as an electrical insulation material. It is also used in packaging materials, kitchenware, tank and pipe linings, paper coatings, and textile stiffeners.
Used in Agricultural Industry:
LDPE, a type of polyethylene, is used for lining jute bags in which fertilizers are stored, acting as a waterproofing material.
Industrial Uses:
Polyethylene thermoplastic resins include low-density polyethylenes (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylenes (LLDPE), high-density polyethylenes (HDPE), and ethylene copolymers, such as ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and ethylene-ethyl acrylate (EEA), and ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylenes (UHMWPE). These materials are used in various industries, including packaging, automotive, materials handling, consumer products, medical products, wire and cable insulation, furniture, housewares, toys, and novelties.
Chemical Properties:
Polyethylene's chemical and physical properties are affected by increasing density, which is influenced by the shape and spacing of the molecular chain. Low-density materials have highly branched and widely spaced chains, whereas high-density materials have comparatively straight and closely aligned chains. Low-density polyethylene is soluble in organic solvents at temperatures higher than 200°F, while high-density polyethylene is hydrophobic, permeable to gas, and has high electrical resistivity.
Cross-linking:
Polyethylene can be cross-linked by irradiation (electron beam, gamma, or X radiation) or by free radical catalysts such as peroxides, which can enhance its properties for specific applications.

Production Methods

Linear PE is produced by a low-pressure solution or gasphase process that is initiated by a variety of transition metal catalysts. The most common catalysts are Ziegler titanium compounds with aluminum alkyls and Phillips chromium oxide-based catalysts. The gas-phase and slurry processes are used to produce high molecular weight, high-density (HMW-HDPE) products. The highest density linear PEs can be made from an α-olefin comonomer, typically octene for the solution process and butene or hexene for the gas-phase process. Linear PE does not have long-chain branches and is therefore more crystalline. The short-chain branches found in linear PE serve as tie molecules, which give the higher α -olefin copolymers improved puncture and tear properties. Included in the linear PE family are ultra-low-density PE (ULDPE), LLDPE, and HDPE. HDPE’s main use is in blow-molded products such as milk bottles, packaging containers, drums, car fuel tanks, toys, and houseware. Film and sheet are widely used in wrappings, refuse sacks, carrier bags, and industrial liners. Injection molding products include crates, pallets, packaging containers, houseware, and toys. Extrusion grades are used in pipes, conduit, wire coating, and cable insulation. LLDPE is a thermoplastic that in many applications replaces its predecessor, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), or is used in blends with LDPE. In particular, LDPE’s shortchain branching gives it higher tensile strength, puncture, and anti-tear properties, making it especially suitable for film applications.

Safety Profile

Questionable carcinogen with experimental tumorigenic data by implant. Reacts violently with F2. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Carcinogenicity

IARC reports that data available do not allow the evaluation of carcinogenicity of ethylene in humans. Rats exposed to ethylene by inhalation show no increase in tumor incidence.

Purification Methods

Crystallise it from thiophen-free *benzene and dry it over P2O5 under vacuum.