Polyethylene Essay

Background Theory.

Polyethylene

Polyethyene is a type of polymer that is used in our daily life. Polyethylene(abbreviated PE) is a thermoplastic polymer, meaning that is can be melted to a liquid state and remolded as it returns to a solid state. PE is chemically synthesized from ethylene, a compound that is usually made from petroleum or natural gas[1]. The main mechanical properties of PE are the ultimate tensile strength and the modulus of elasticity.

There are different types of Polyethylene, which differ from each other by the density and branching, but the main types of PE are :

* LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) * HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) * LLDPE (Linear-Low Density Polyethylene) * MDPE (Medium Density Polyethylene)

Low
We have certained the values, which аre close to the actual values, apart from the Polystyrene. This may be occured because of the human or system error in reading or putting the data. The rest of the values аre noticeably close the actual values. Therefore, there is an assumption that the samples were HDPE, because there was a significant apply of force for a little extension.

Reference:

[1] http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-polyethylene.htm

[2] http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene

[3] Lester H. Gabriel, Ph.D., P.E., History
and Physical Chemistry of
HDPE, chapter 1
[4] http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-polystyrene.htm
[5] http://www.matbase.com/material/polymers/commodity/ldpe/properties
[6] http://www.matbase.com/material/polymers/commodity/hdpe/properties
[7]