Polyethylene

(C₂H₄)ₙ

IUPAC: Polyethene

CAS: 9002-88-4

Visão geral

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.

Composição

Elemento Símbolo Átomos Massa atômica
Hydrogen H 4 1,0080
Carbon C 2 12,0110

Composição 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

Curiosidades

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

Segurança

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

Propriedades

Tipo
polymer
Estado
solid
Massa molar
28,05 g/mol
Densidade
0,9400 g/cm³
Ponto de fusão
115,0 °C
Solubilidade
insoluble

Também conhecido como

Polythene PE

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(C₁₆H₁₄O₃)ₙ

Polyethylene Terephthalate

(C₁₀H₈O₄)ₙ

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(C₂F₄)ₙ

Polyacrylonitrile

(C₃H₃N)ₙ

Polystyrene

(C₈H₈)ₙ

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(C₁₄H₁₀N₂O₂)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).