Polyethylene

(C₂H₄)ₙ

IUPAC: Polyethene

CAS: 9002-88-4

Descripción general

Polyethylene is the most widely produced plastic in the world, with annual production exceeding 100 million tonnes. It comes in several varieties (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE) with different densities and properties. It is used in packaging, bottles, pipes, and films.

Composición

Elemento Símbolo Átomos Masa atómica
Hydrogen H 4 1,0080
Carbon C 2 12,0110

Composición elemental

H
Hydrogen ×4
14,4%
C
Carbon ×2
85,6%

Usos

  • • Plastic bags and films (LDPE)
  • • Bottles and containers (HDPE)
  • • Pipes and fittings
  • • Packaging materials

Datos curiosos

  • ✦ Accidentally discovered in 1933 by ICI researchers applying high pressure to ethylene
  • ✦ Takes 500-1000 years to decompose in landfills

Seguridad

  • ⚠ Generally non-toxic
  • ⚠ Environmental pollution from single-use plastics
  • ⚠ Microplastic contamination

Propiedades

Tipo
polymer
Estado
solid
Masa molar
28,05 g/mol
Densidad
0,9400 g/cm³
Punto de fusión
115,0 °C
Solubilidad
insoluble

También conocido como

Polythene PE

Compuestos relacionados

Cellulose

(C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙ

Epoxy Resin DGEBA

C₂₁H₂₄O₄

Kevlar

(C₁₄H₁₀N₂O₂)ₙ

Nylon-6,6

(C₁₂H₂₂N₂O₂)ₙ

Sodium Polyacrylate

(C₃H₃NaO₂)ₙ

Polylactic Acid

(C₃H₄O₂)ₙ

Polymethyl Methacrylate

(C₅H₈O₂)ₙ

Polyurethane

(C₃H₂NO)ₙ

Polycarbonate

(C₁₆H₁₄O₃)ₙ

Polyethylene Terephthalate

(C₁₀H₈O₄)ₙ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Polyethylene?
Polyethylene ((C₂H₄)ₙ) is a polymer compound with the IUPAC name Polyethene.
What is the molecular weight of Polyethylene?
Polyethylene has a molar mass of 28.054 g/mol.
What state is Polyethylene at room temperature?
Polyethylene is a solid at room temperature.
Is Polyethylene organic or inorganic?
Polyethylene is classified as an inorganic compound.
What elements make up Polyethylene?
Polyethylene ((C₂H₄)ₙ) is composed of Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C).