LDPE is a soft, flexible, and lightweight thermoplastic known for its excellent clarity, good chemical resistance, and ease of processing. It has a high degree of branching, which gives it lower density and less crystallinity compared to HDPE and LLDPE. LDPE is widely used in film extrusion, coating, and molding applications where flexibility and transparency are important.
Key Parameters:
Density: 0.917 – 0.930 g/cm³
Melt Flow Index (MFI / MI): 0.2 – 50 g/10min (grade dependent; common film grades: 0.5 – 3.0)
Tensile Strength (Yield): 7 – 12 MPa
Tensile Strength (Break): 10 – 20 MPa
Elongation at Break: 400 – 800%
Flexural Modulus: 150 – 350 MPa
Dart Drop Impact Strength: 60 – 400 g (film grade dependent)
Tear Strength: 40 – 150 kN/m
Vicat Softening Point: 85 – 100°C
Melting Point: 105 – 115°C
Brittleness Temperature: < -70°C
Water Absorption (24h): < 0.01% (negligible)
Optical Properties: Good clarity and gloss (film grade)
Processing Methods: Blown film extrusion, cast film extrusion, injection molding, extrusion coating, rotomolding, wire and cable coating
Typical Applications: Plastic shopping bags, squeeze bottles (wash bottles, dropper tips), agricultural film (mulch, greenhouse), shrink film, food packaging film (bread bags, produce bags), garment bags, medical packaging, cable and wire insulation, flexible tubing, laminations (for paper and board coatings), injection-molded lids and containers, labware (wash bottles, test tube holders)