What is Polyethylene?
Learn about polyethylene, its chemical composition, types, properties, and why it is ideal for tank applications.
Polyethylene is a derivative of crude oil created through polymerization of ethane. This material is almost non-permeable to most chemicals and does not transfer materials to contained liquids, making it ideal for storage tank applications.
Chemical Composition — Polyethylene contains carbon and hydrogen elements. It can be produced through various polymerization methods including radical, anionic, coordination, and cationic addition polymerization.
Types and Properties — The material is classified into categories based on density and branching:
- HDPE (High Density) — Melting point approximately 120-130°C
- LLDPE (Linear Low Density) — Used for FDA/NSF tank applications
- LDPE (Low Density) — Melting point approximately 105-115°C
- XLPE (Crosslinked) — Used for aggressive industrial applications
Polyethylene has excellent chemical resistance and does not dissolve at room temperature due to its crystalline structure.
Historical Development — Hans von Pechmann accidentally synthesized polyethylene in 1898. Industrial production began in 1939 following discoveries by Eric Fawcett and Reginald Gibson in 1933, with refinements by Michael Perrin in 1935.
Tank Manufacturing — Tank Systems manufactures polyethylene tanks using LMDPE for FDA/NSF applications and XLPE for aggressive industrial use, produced via rotational molding in seamless, one-piece structures.
Environmental Note — Polyethylene is not considered biodegradable and takes several centuries to degrade without UV exposure. Most commercial polyethylene can be recycled.
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