Polyethylene is probably the most commonly used polymer in everyday life. It is the polymer that is used to make grocery bags, shampoo bottles, childrens toys, and even bullet-proof vests. This Practical Guide provides information about every aspect of polyethylene production and use in a reader-friendly form. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of working with polyethylene, offering practical comment on the available types of polyethylene, properties and in-service performance, and processing.

The Practical Guide begins with general background to the polyethylene family, with price, production and market share information. It describes the basic types of polyethylene including virgin and filled polyethylene, copolymers, block and graft polymers and composites, and reviews the types of additives used in polyethylene.Polyethylenes offer a wide range of properties due to differences in structure and molecular weight, and the Practical Guide gives the low down on the properties, including, amongst others, rheological, mechanical, chemical, thermal, and electrical properties.

Design of a polymeric product for a certain application is a complex task, and this is particularly true for polyethylene with its variety of forms and available processing methods. This Practical Guide describes the processing issues and conditions for the wide range of techniques used for polyethylene, and also considers post-processing and assembly issues. It offers guidance on product design and development issues, including materials selection.

The Practical Guide to Polyethylene is an indispensable resource for everyone working with this material.

About the authors...
Cornelia Vasile is a senior researcher at the Romanian Academy, P. Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, and Head of Department of Physical Chemistry of Polymers. Cornelia is also an Associate Professor at Laval University - Quebec Canada, at the Gh. Asachi Technical University of Iasi and Al. I. Cuza University of Iasi. She is the author or co-author of eight books, 300 scientific papers and holder of 38 patents.

Dr. Mihaela Pascu is an associate professor in the Physics Department of the Gr. T. Popa Medicine and Pharmacy University of Iasi, Romania. After receiving her PhD degree she spent two years in universities in France as a post-doctoral researcher. She is the author or co-author of more than 40 scientific papers.

1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Polymerisation Processes
1.2 Strengths
1.3 Material Density/Percentage Crystallinity
1.4 Weaknesses
1.5 Applications
1.6 Material Price
1.7 Market Share and Consumption Trends
1.8 Major Suppliers

2 BASIC TYPES
2.1 Homopolymers and Olefin Copolymers
2.1.1 Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
2.1.2 High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins
2.1.3 High-Density Polyethylene
2.1.4 Medium-Density Polyethylene (MDPE)
2.1.5 Linear Polyethylenes
2.1.6 Very Low-Density Polyethylene (VLDPE) Resins
2.1.7 Ultralow-Density Polyethylene (ULDPE) Resins
2.1.8 Metallocene Polyethylene (mPE)
2.1.9 Bimodal Grades
2.1.10 UV-Stabilised Grades
2.1.11 Crosslinked Polyethylene (XPE)
2.1.12 Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)
2.1.13 Ultrahigh-Modulus Polyethylene
2.1.14 Polyethylene Foam Resins
2.2 Other Grades
2.3 Filled Grades of Polyethylene
2.4 Copolymers
2.4.1 Copolymers with alpha-Olefins or LLDPE
2.4.2 Ethylene-Propylene Copolymers (Polyallomer)
2.4.3 Copolymers with Cyclo-olefins
2.4.4 Copolymers with Vinylic Monomers
2.4.5 Ethylene Ionomers
2.4.6 Block and Graft Copolymers 6
2.4.7 Primacor Copolymers
2.4.8 Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE)
2.5 Blends
2.6 Composites

3 PROPERTIES
3.1 Density
3.2 Molecular Weight and Molecular Weight Distribution
3.3 Crystallinity
3.3.1 Melting
3.3.2 Orientation
3.4 Thermal Properties
3.4.1 Specific Volume
3.4.2 Specific Heat
3.4.3 Glass Transition Temperature and Melting/Crystallisation Temperature
3.4.4 Maximum Continuous Use Temperature
3.4.5 Heat Deflection Temperatures and Softening Points
3.4.6 Brittleness and Brittle Temperature
3.4.7 Thermal Conductivity
3.4.8 Thermal Expansion
3.5 Mechanical Properties
3.5.1 Short-term Mechanical Properties: Static Mechanical Properties
3.5.2 Dynamic Fatigue
3.5.3 Mechanical Properties of Filled Grades
3.5.4 Biaxial Orientation
3.6 Electrical Properties
3.7 Optical Properties
3.7.1 Transparency
3.7.2 Gloss
3.7.3 Haze: Cloudy or Milky Appearance
3.8 Surface Properties
3.8.1 Adhesion, Frictional Behaviour, and Blocking
3.8.2 Modification of Surface Properties
3.9 Hardness and Scratch Resistance
3.10 Abrasion Resistance
3.11 Friction
3.12 Acoustic Properties
3.13 Degradation Behaviour
3.13.1 Photo-oxidation
3.13.2 Thermal Degradation
3.13.3 Degradation by High-energy Radiation
3.13.4 Biodegradation
3.14 Biological Behaviour
3.14.1 Assessment Under Food and Water Legislation
3.14.2 Resistance to Micro-organisms
3.14.3 Physiological Compatibility
3.15 Biocompatibility
3.16 Wear Properties
3.17 Molecular Properties
3.17.1 IR Spectra
3.17.2 Crystals
3.17.3 Radii of Gyration
3.17.4 Unit Cell Parameters
3.17.5 X-ray Scattering
3.18 Performance in Service 67
3.18.1 Thermal and Oxidative Stability
3.18.2 Stability to Sunlight and UV Radiation
3.18.3 Chemical Resistance
3.18.4 Environmental Stress Cracking Resistance
3.19 Permeability
3.19.1 Permeability to Water and Other Liquids
3.19.2 Permeability to Gases
3.20 Crosslinking and Sterilisation
3.21 Correlations Between Polyethylene Properties

4 ADDITIVES
4.1 Antioxidants, Inhibitors, or Heat Stabilisers
4.2 Masterbatches
4.3 Antistatic Agents
4.4 Electromagnetic/Radio Frequency Interference Shielding
4.5 Antifogging Agents
4.6 Biocides
4.7 Blowing Agents
4.8 Biosensitisers and Photosensitisers
4.9 Conducting Agents
4.10 Coupling Agents
4.11 Crosslinking Agents
4.12 Flame Retardants
4.13 Fillers and Reinforcements
4.14 Slip and Antiblocking Agents
4.15 Metal Deactivators and Acid Scavengers
4.16 Nucleating Agents
4.17