Polyethylene is usually thermoplastic, but it can be modified to become thermosetting instead, for example, in cross-linked polyethylene.Ī pill box presented to a technician at ICI in 1936 made from the first pound of polyethylene It can be low-density or high-density: low-density polyethylene is extruded using high pressure (1,000–5,000 atm (100–510 MPa)) and high temperature (520 K (247 ☌ 476 ☏)), while high-density polyethylene is extruded using low pressure (6–7 atm (610–710 kPa)) and low temperature (333–343 K (60–70 ☌ 140–158 ☏)).

PE is usually a mixture of similar polymers of ethylene, with various values of n. Many kinds of polyethylene are known, with most having the chemical formula (C 2H 4) n. As of 2017, over 100 million tonnes of polyethylene resins are being produced annually, accounting for 34% of the total plastics market. It is a polymer, primarily used for packaging ( plastic bags, plastic films, geomembranes and containers including bottles, etc.).

Polyethylene or polythene (abbreviated PE IUPAC name polyethene or poly(methylene)) is the most commonly produced plastic.

High poly to low poly blender