Medium-density polyethylene

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! colspan="2" align=center bgcolor="#cccccc" | MDPE

Density

| 0.926–0.940 g/cm3

Young modulus/ E modulus/ Tensile modulus

| 172–379 MPa

Tensile strengtht)

| 12.4–19.3 MPa

Elongation @ break

| 100–150%

Brittleness, low temperature

| −118 °C

Vicat

| 99–124 °C

Specific heat (c)

| 1.916 kJ/kg.K

|

colspan="2" align=left | Source: J.Brandrup, E. H. Immergut & E.A. Grulke, Polymer Handbook Fourth edition, {{ISBN|0-471-48171-8}}

Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) is a type of polyethylene defined by a density range of 0.926–0.940 g/cm3.[http://www.plasticmoulding.ca/polymers/polyethylene.htm Polyethylene] It is less dense than HDPE, which is more common.

MDPE can be produced by chromium/silica catalysts, Ziegler-Natta catalysts or metallocene catalysts. MDPE has good shock and drop resistance properties. It also is less notch sensitive than HDPE. Stress cracking resistance is better than that of HDPE. MDPE is typically used in gas pipes and fittings, sacks, shrink film, packaging film, carrier bags, and screw closures.[http://www.humes.co.nz/Municipal_view.php?id=1094342335&origin=prange&application= Polyethylene Fittings - Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823052402/http://www.humes.co.nz/Municipal_view.php?id=1094342335&origin=prange&application= |date=2011-08-23 }}

In the United Kingdom, black (or blue) MDPE is often used for water and waste water plumbing, and may also be referred to as 'black alkathene.'

See also

References

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