What is the difference between HDPE and MDPE? - ProProfs Discuss
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What is the difference between HDPE and MDPE?

Asked by Denton Perez, Last updated: Apr 08, 2024

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3 Answers

E.Evelyn

E.Evelyn

E.Evelyn
E.Evelyn

Answered Mar 03, 2020

HDPE is known to be high-density polyethylene. This is a type of polymer material that can be formed because of ethylene monomers. MDPE is also known as medium density polyethylene. HDPE is a type of material that you can mold at a certain temperature.

Then, you can wait for it to become solid once it cools down. MDPE is known to be less dense as compared to the HDPE. It will not be as scratch resistance, especially when it is compared to HDPE. There is a chance that it will become exposed to too much stress, and it will also crack. This is used in producing different packaging films and also carrier bags.

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Daniel Drake

Daniel Drake

Daniel Drake
Daniel Drake

Answered Feb 28, 2020

HDPE is the short form of High Density Polyethylene, while MDPE is the short form of Medium Density Polyethylene. Polyethylene is produced in different grades; HDPE and MDPE are two examples out of many others that can be produced from polyethylene. HDPE belongs to the category of polyethylene that has high pressure rating. HDPE can either come with a pressure rating of 0.941g/cm3 or even higher than this.

Because of its nature, the intermolecular force of attraction between its constituents is very high, and it usually comes with high tensile strength. HDPE is used mostly to manufacture products like detergents, container for waste materials, etc.

MDPE, on the other hand, does not have high pressure rating like HDPE; its ratings usually fall between 0.926g/cm3 to 0.940g/cm3. Because of its low sensitivity, it has good chemical resistance. HDPE, on the other hand, is highly sensitive compared to MDPE, and that's why it has a lower stress resistance compared to MDPE.
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O.Olivia

O.Olivia

O.Olivia
O.Olivia

Answered Feb 10, 2020

The main difference between MDPE and HDPE is that HDPE has elevated sensitivity to stress, while MDPE has an improved stress resistance, as compared to HDPE. MDPE stands for medium density polyethylene. Polyethylene is a polymer substance, which consists of repeating ethylene units.

HDPE stands for high-density polyethylene, a polymer material formed from the polymerization of ethylene monomers. MDPE material has specific functions, and the most common of which is packaging material. HDPE has a definite thermoplastic material. The material has an unusually high ratio between strength and density.

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