page_title: High-density polyethylene
section_title: Applications
hierarchical_section_title: High-density polyethylene / Applications
caption_attribution_description: English: A cut cross section of a T Joint.
context_page_description: High-density polyethylene or polyethylene high-density is a thermoplastic polymer produced from the monomer ethylene. It is sometimes called "alkathene" or "polythene" when used for HDPE pipes. With a high strength-to-density ratio, HDPE is used in the production of plastic bottles, corrosion-resistant piping, geomembranes and plastic lumber. HDPE is commonly recycled, and has the number "2" as its resin identification code.
  In 2007, the global HDPE market reached a volume of more than 30 million tons.
context_section_description: HDPE has a wide variety of applications; for applications that fall within the properties of other polymers, the choice to use HDPE is usually economic:
  3D printer filament
  Arena board (puck board)
  Backpacking frames
  Ballistic plates
  Banners
  Bottle caps
  Boats
  Chemical containers
  Chemical-resistant piping
  Coax cable inner insulator
  Conduit protector for electrical or communications cables
  Corrosion protection for steel pipelines
  Electrical and plumbing boxes
  Far-IR lenses
  Fireworks
  Folding chairs and tables
  Food storage containers
  Fuel tanks for vehicles
  Geomembrane for hydraulic applications (such as canals and bank reinforcements)
  Geothermal heat transfer piping systems
  Heat-resistant firework mortars
  Housewrap (Tyvek)
  Hovercraft: The material is too heavy and dense for such craft but is still used occasionally
  Ionizing radiation shield
  Laundry detergent jugs
  Lasts for shoes
  Microwave telescope windows
  Milk jugs
  Natural gas distribution pipe systems
  Piping for fluid, slurry and gas purposes
  Plastic bags
  Plastic bottles suitable both for recycling or re-use
  Plastic surgery (skeletal and facial reconstruction)
  Potable water mains
  Root barrier
  Shampoo bottles
  Sewage mains
  Snowboard rails and boxes
  Stone paper
  Storage sheds
  Swimming pool installation
  Trackout Control Mats
  Telecom ducts
  Water pipes for domestic water supply and agricultural processes
  Wood plastic composites (utilizing recycled polymers)
  HDPE is also used for cell liners in subtitle D sanitary landfills, wherein large sheets of HDPE are either extrusion welded or wedge welded to form a homogeneous chemical-resistant barrier, with the intention of preventing the pollution of soil and groundwater by the liquid constituents of solid waste.
  HDPE is preferred by the pyrotechnics trade for mortars over steel or PVC tubes, being more durable and safer: HDPE tends to rip or tear in a malfunction instead of shattering and becoming shrapnel like the other materials.
  Milk bottles, jugs, and other hollow goods manufactured through blow molding are the most important application area for HDPE, accounting for one-third of worldwide production, or more than 8 million tonnes.
  Above all, China, where beverage bottles made from HDPE were first imported in 2005, is a growing market for rigid HDPE packaging, as a result of its improving standard of living. In India and other highly populated, emerging nations, infrastructure expansion includes the deployment of pipes and cable insulation made from HDPE. The material has benefited from discussions about possible health and environmental problems caused by PVC and polycarbonate associated bisphenol A (BPA), as well as its advantages over glass, metal, and cardboard.
caption: HDPE Sheet which has been extrusion welded
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