While PET or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE) may look similar to each other, these two materials have completely separate polymers with different properties and applications. If you are hesitating between PET and polyethylene to make your product, you should check the characteristics of these two plastics such as chemical structure, appearance, temperature resistance, cost and environmental effects.
What is the difference between polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE)?
These two products have many uses in the industry and that is why you can find them in grocery stores to industrial factories. These two polymers, which are monomers, have different molecules and thus have distinct properties. In the following, we will examine some of these cases.
Chemical structure
Polyethylene (PE) is a repeating chain of ethylene molecules. The chemical structure of pe consists of carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms and has the chemical formula n(c2h2).
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a polymer made of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid and its chemical formula is n(c10h8o4). The chemical formula of pet indicates a repeating chain of monomers with carbon atoms, hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms.
Mechanical properties
Polyethylene has different physical properties depending on its different forms, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE). HDPE is a flexible and rigid material and LDPE is soft, while being easier to stretch.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a strong and lightweight plastic that has a high strength-to-weight ratio, which makes it a versatile and affordable material. Also, PET is one of the most transparent plastics, which is used to produce plastic bottles and transparent packaging. But polyethylene varies from transparent to opaque depending on the density of the polymer.
Applications of PET and polyethylene
PET or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be used for food packaging, polyester fibers, bottles and microwaveable containers. The uses of polyethylene (PE) depend on the density, but its common uses are in storage containers, plastic bags, beverage bottles, and household items.
Applications of polyethylene (PE)
bags
food containers
Plastic trays
bottles
Water pipes
kitchen utensils
wire insulation
Applications of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Bottles of water and soft drinks
Microwaveable dishes
Car parts
Food packaging
Polyester fabrics
Comparing the advantages of PET and polyethylene
Advantages of polyethylene (pe)
Availability
low cost
Resistant to wear and tear
Electrical insulation
Different thicknesses and transparencies
Easy recycling
Advantages of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
light weight
unbreakable
Suitable for food containers
High strength
Moisture resistant
Recyclable
For more information, you can contact us through our address and contact number.
Related content:
Plastic raw materials/www.wci-polimer.com
Polymer raw materials/www.wci-polimer.com
What is polyethylene?/www.wci-polimer.com
- ۰ ۰
- ۰ نظر