Manufactured by a variety of manufacturers under several tradenames: Polyboard®, Polymar®, Hostalen®, Polystone®, Hitec® HDPE, Corrtec®, Sanalite®, UltraEthylux®, Polycarve®, and Densetec®.
For great abrasion resistance, very low density, and FDA/NSF compliance, Polyethylene products are an excellent choice.
Self-lubricating and a low coefficient of friction
Very High Chemical Resistance
Low Specific Gravity (Floats in Water)
Can be Heat Welded or RF Welded
High Impact Strength and Energy Absorption
Exceptional Low Temperature – Brittle at -110° F
Does not chemically bond
HDPE/LDPE are ITAR compliant, and HDPE/LDPE are RoHS compliant
Main Differences:
HDPE – Harder material, little to no flex, better tensile strength LDPE – Softer, very flexible, lower tensile strength
Applications – HDPE:
Cutting Board and Food Preparation Surfaces
FDA, USDA, NSF Compliant Machined Parts
Heat Formed and Vacuum Formed Parts
Dasher Board For Ice Rinks – Impact Parts
Welded Tanks, Hoppers, Silo Linings and Slide Chutes
Chemical and Structural Tanks and Covers
Food Processing Equipment, Valve, and Pump Components
Other applications include cement molds, body boards, transfer boards, death beds, mortician boards, cooler storage boards, spine board, tank liners, wear guides, and many, many more.HDPE is used in thousands of applications, from interiors of freezers, bed liners for trucks to personal protection gear.
HDPE is available in stock in natural (milky white) and black. Other colors are available with minimum runs.
Applications – LDPE:
Packaging Applications
Industrial bags, produce bags, garment bags
Blow Molded Bottles
Toys
Hot Melt Adhesives
Wire Insulation
Prosthetic appliances, Medical equipment, Semi-flexible tubing
Extruded Sheet: .030 – 2.0″ in 48″ X 96″ Smooth Surfaces Natural Sheet in HDPE, 1″ max. for LDPE Black available in many sizes of HDPE
Film: .015″ – .060″ in 48″ wide Natural
Rod: .250″ – 10″ diameter in Natural HDPE – 96″ lengths From 12″ and up to 30″ diameter in 48″ lengths or 39″ lengths in HDPE
Black is available in many sizes of HDPE
Tube: .250″ OD – 10″ OD in various wall thicknesses. Most available in HDPE and many in LDPE
Special Formulations: Conductive, Static Dissipative, Custom sizes, Formulations, Profiles or Colors.
General Property
ASTM Test
Typical Value HDPE
Typical Value LDPE
Specific Gravity
D792
.941 – .965
.91 – .925
Tensile Strength Yield
D638
3,800 – 5,500
1,400 – 2,000
Izod Impact – Notched
D256
2.0 – 3.5
>16
Vicat Softening Temp
D1525
257 degrees F
219 degrees F
Hardness – Rockwell
D785
D60 -70
D42 – 50
Continuous Use Temp
–
-100 – 180 degrees F
174 degrees F
Deflection Temp @ 66 psi
D648
171
124
Co. Thermal Expansion
D696
7X10-5
4.6 -5.5X10-5
Playground HDPE is UV stabilized for outdoor applications that is available in a variety of colors.
These properties are for evaluation purposes only. This information is not to be construed as a warranty, guarantee or assurance that you may achieve the same results. Materials made from different resin types, manufacturing techniques and manufacturers will react differently. The information should be used to compare against other materials only, and each user should make his own tests to determine suitability. No warranty as to this materials suitability are either expressed nor implied.
This question was very easy to answer, up until now.
First: what is Zytel 42? It is a Natural Nylon 6/6 extrusion grade plastic resin. An extremely popular and heavily used material for machinable and durable plastic parts. For as far back as we can find information, this Zytel 42 Nylon 6/6 resin has been used in numerous food contact and food processing machine components.
We have just received notice that Dupont will be making some changes to their formula for this Nylon grade. For years we have provided our clients with Dupont Zytel 42 Nylon resin extruded into sheet, rod and other profiles. The Dupont announcement states that the Zytel 42 will no longer have a food grade rating – FDA approval. They will produce a new resin called Zytel 42FG, which will have all the approvals we always had with the Zytel 42.
Why in the world would a company do such a thing? Our guess is that this is a cleaver way to increase prices significantly without a standard and blatant price increase. Let’s just hide it in a new resin package.
Zytel 42 – will still be available, but without the FDA approval
Zytel 42FG – the ‘new’ resin will carry the FDA approval, but at much higher price
Nylon Food Grade still available
These huge Cast Nylon Blocks 12″ X 12″ X 48″
What is the difference between the old Zytel 42 and the new Zytel 42FG? From what we have read so far, nothing. It is probably the same material, new name. The ‘new’ Zytel 42 is actually the new ‘dumbed’ down resin – they just took away the Food Grade label, maybe took out an ingredient or two, and viola, new Zytel 42 – non Food Grade Nylon.
This news has spread quickly through our industry. As mentioned above, we have provided this material in this grade for over 36 years for Food Grade/FDA Approved applications.
The main reason for this article is to get the news out the the marketplace. Engineers and designers have been specifying this resin for their applications, and now, with out much notice, the product they assume is Food Grade will no longer be acceptable for these applications. It is unclear at this point whether the extrusion plants will be producing product from both resins, or opting to use one or the other. It appears that Nylon Food Grade resins my become a special, or that all materials may becomes standard as Nylon Food Grade.
Is Nylon Food Grade Resin Important To You?
This is the question we find ourselves asking. Does the end user think of Nylon when they are looking for an FDA approved plastic? Or, do they consider Acetal Copolymer, Acetal Homopolymer, Polyethylene, and other materials first? Do you think of Nylon rod, bar, sheet and slab as mechanical materials to use when making gears, wear strips, and other non FDA applications?
Please take a moment and let us know you thoughts. We value your input – it will help us in evaluating the direction we want to go with our inventory.
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