Polyethylen — Geschichte, Struktur, Eigenschaften und Nutzung

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LDPE/LLDPE/HDPE/UHMWFamilies

110–135 °CTm

Burns, dripsFire

Tupper / pipesIcon

Dyneema classFibre

polymersFamily

Polyethylen is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under polymers: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.

Scores compare Polyethylen with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates.

Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.

Tiefe Einführung

Deep dive: Polyethylen

Polyethylen ((C2H4)n) is a family of grades whose density 0.91–0.97 g/cm³, heat band LDPE ~110 °C; HDPE ~130 °C, and fire letter combustible olefin.

What “the material” actually is

Polyethylen is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry (C2H4)n, density 0.91–0.97 g/cm³, heat band LDPE ~110 °C; HDPE ~130 °C.

This atlas treats Polyethylen as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.

Heat, fire and insulation

Conductivity note: ~0.4 W/m·K. Insulation score 44/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.

Fire letter in editorial use: combustible olefin. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.

How it is made and used

Origin: ICI 1933 / Ziegler–Natta 1950s, United Kingdom / Germany. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.

Uses span buildings to defence / safety. Pairings matter: ptfe.

Market and circularity

Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.

Circularity mark 28/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.

Profil

Festigkeit 34

Hitzebeständigkeit 28

Brandverhalten 16

Dämmung 44

Verarbeitbarkeit 92

Kreislauf 28

Häufige Fragen

Is Polyethylen non-combustible?

Declared reaction class in this atlas: combustible olefin. Assemblies still need resistance tests.

Does Polyethylen insulate?

Thermal mark 44/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: ~0.4 W/m·K.

What is the density band?

0.91–0.97 g/cm³

How is it made?

Origin story: ICI 1933 / Ziegler–Natta 1950s (United Kingdom / Germany).

Can it be recycled?

Circularity mark 28/100 — editorial, route-specific.

Typical melting or failure heat?

LDPE ~110 °C; HDPE ~130 °C

What should it be paired with?

ptfe: The fluoropolymer that laughs at PE’s melting point.

Where is it specified?

Buildings, transport, energy and consumer goods — see the uses chapter.

Ikonen

ICI Alketh

United Kingdom · 1939

ICI Alketh is a reference point in the public image of Polyethylen.

HDPE bottle

Global · 1960s–

HDPE bottle is a reference point in the public image of Polyethylen.

Dyneema

Netherlands · 1979–

Dyneema is a reference point in the public image of Polyethylen.

PE100 pipe

Europe · 1990s–

PE100 pipe is a reference point in the public image of Polyethylen.

Tupper box lore

United States · 1940s–

Tupper box lore is a reference point in the public image of Polyethylen.

Geomembrane

Global · 1980s–

Geomembrane is a reference point in the public image of Polyethylen.

UHMW hip liner

United Kingdom · 1960s–

UHMW hip liner is a reference point in the public image of Polyethylen.

Stretch film

Global · 1970s–

Stretch film is a reference point in the public image of Polyethylen.

Ikonen ein- und ausschalten — jeder Balken skaliert auf den Führenden Ihrer Auswahl.

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Duelle

Gleiche Familie, andere Noten — ein Duell wählen.

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Polyethylen vs PTFE

Direktvergleich →

Mehr in Polymere

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🧴Polyethylen

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