(C2H4)n
ChemistryPolyethylene is specified as (C2H4)n. Density band 0.91–0.97 g/cm³.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength34
Heat resistance28
Fire performance16
Insulation44
Workability92
Circularity28
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Last reviewed Sources & creditsMedia creditsMethodology
Quick answers
Is Polyethylene non-combustible?
Declared reaction class in this atlas: combustible olefin. Assemblies still need resistance tests.
Does Polyethylene 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
heat 28 · fire 16
What holds Polyethylene together is not the nickname. Formula (C2H4)n, density 0.91–0.97 g/cm³.
Meters are atlas-relative. Grades are the SKUs buyers write.
Phases
Microstructure
OrderProcessing sets grain, crystallinity or fibre orientation — the reason two lots of Polyethylene can test differently.
Interfaces
SurfacesCoatings, oxide films, sizings or paper faces often decide weather and fire behaviour more than the bulk brochure.
Defects
FlawsInclusions, voids, knots, pinholes or residual stress start the failures that mill certificates do not list.
Grades
VariantsPolyethylene is a family. Grade names below are the ones buyers actually write on RFQs.
Ageing
TimeMoisture, UV, creep, hydrogen or carbonation shift properties in service. Design to the aged state.
Relative meters
Strength34
Strength is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Heat envelope28
Heat envelope is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Fire behaviour16
Fire behaviour is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Insulation44
Insulation is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Workability92
Workability is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Circularity28
Circularity is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Grades
LDPE
High-pressure, branched film.High-pressure, branched film.
LLDPE
Copolymer toughness.Copolymer toughness.
HDPE
Bottles, pipe, crates.Bottles, pipe, crates.
UHMWPE
Medical and fibre.Medical and fibre.
PEX
Crosslinked pipe.Crosslinked pipe.
Bonds
Primary bonding
Polyethylene holds together by covalent chain chemistry.
Secondary forces
Hydrogen bonds, van der Waals stacks or grain-boundary cohesion set toughness and moisture uptake.
Composites & fills
Fillers, fibres, plasticisers or aggregates are part of the real product, not impurities.
Environment film
Oxides, chars, sizings or paints are the layer the world actually meets.
Change the grade, the coating or the moisture and you have a different material with the same English name.
Keep exploring
More in Polymers
🍳
PTFE
Plunkett’s slippery fluoropolymer — non-stick, chemical linings and a high-temp plastic that still has a fire-and-fume story.
Overall 41 🛞Natural rubber
Cis-1,4-polyisoprene from Hevea — tyres still drink most of the world’s latex.
Overall 44 🫧Silicone
Si–O backbone elastomers and resins — bakeware, medical tubing, façade sealants and a kinder high-temp story than carbon chains.
Overall 55