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MASTERFLEX – Technische Schläuche & Verbindungen
MASTERFLEX – Technische Schläuche & Verbindungen
Masterduct: Master-PE LF EL polyethylene hose

Material polyethylene (PE)

A material optimal for the production of high-quality industrial hoses and innovative connection solutions.

 

In focus: polyethylene as a material

Basic information on the material PE (polyethylene)

Polyethylene (PE) is a thermoplastic, i.e. a plastic that can be molded under certain temperatures. Due to its special properties, it is one of the most widely used plastics of all. One of its advantages is that polyethylene (PE) is highly resistant to acids, alkalis, oils and greases.

PE was first produced as early as 1933, but it has only been indispensable since the 1950s, when more economical synthesis methods were developed.

Polyethylene (PE) is a thermoplastic. Thermoplastics consist of largely unbranched, linear macromolecules that can be plastically deformed when heat is applied and retain their shape after cooling. The process is reversible, and when heat is applied again, the body can be deformed again. In simple terms, this means that thermoplastics can be melted again and their geometry changed.

Along with PVC, PE is one of the most versatile thermoplastics. In its basic form, it is colorless, translucent to milky white, feels like wax and can be scratched. It can be dyed in any color.

Material variants of PE

Different manufacturing methods can produce polyethylene (PE) with a high density (HD-PE = High Density Polyethylene) or polyethylene with a low density (LD-PE = Low Density Polyethylene).

  • High-density PE (LDPE or soft PE) is soft and particularly flexible. It is cold-resistant to -50 °C and heat-resistant to a maximum of +60 °C.
  • Low-density PE (HDPE or hard PE) is stiffer and more abrasion-resistant than soft PE. It is characterized by cold resistance down to -50 °C and heat resistance up to a maximum of +90 °C.

Both grades have a lower density than water and are characterized in particular by being very stable to chemicals.

Product image: Masterduct clip hose Master-Clip PE

However, the material polyethylene (PE) not only has excellent resistance to chemicals, but also to oils, greases, acids and alkalis. Hoses made of polyethylene (PE) are therefore particularly suitable for demanding applications, e.g. for transporting aggressive gaseous and liquid media or for transporting fine-grained particles such as dusts and powders in the chemical sector.

Accordingly, chemical resistance refers to the resistance of a material to various chemicals. In practice, a distinction is often made between "chemically resistant", "chemically conditionally resistant" and "chemically unstable". A material is chemically resistant if it remains intact after prolonged contact with a chemical, i.e. its physical, chemical and mechanical properties remain unchanged. The term chemically inert is also often used as a synonym.

Polyethylene (PE) has a high resistance to acids, alkalis and other chemicals. Polyethylene (PE) is particularly resistant to acetone, benzenes, toluenes and xylenes. In addition, it hardly absorbs any water, is resistant to cold and has very good weldability.

Chemical resistance of plastics

What is the resistance of ester-PUR, ether-PUR and other plastics to chemical substances? Check here which chemicals your materials are resistant to.

To the resistance list

PE hoses

Masterduct hoses made of PE material

Increased chemical resistance as well as alkali and acid resistance: This is what characterizes PE hoses. Learn more about our PE hoses:

Material picture: Polyethylene granulate Material of Masterduct

Properties of Masterduct PE hoses

In addition to good chemical resistance, hoses made of polyethylene (PE) have high flexibility, are impact resistant, have a low weight, are physiologically harmless and can be used in temperature ranges between -40 degrees Celsius and +60 degrees Celsius.

Among other things, we use PE to produce hydrolysis- and microbe-resistant hoses, food-safe hoses, and hoses for special cables. But our pneumatic hoses are also made of polyethylene (PE). Depending on the material and design, they are suitable for a wide variety of applications and uses.

In addition to compressed air hoses for standard applications in industry and workshops, we also offer compressed air hoses with application-specific properties and approvals, e.g. for use in the food industry. Spiralized hoses are particularly suitable for connecting to moving assemblies, such as pneumatic tools. Due to their high flexibility, they can also withstand strong vibrations. Our pneumatic hoses are also available as multiple hoses and in various color versions - so that machines and systems can be clearly and safely arranged.

All PE hoses can generally be connected to all common metal and plastic fittings.

In addition to PE, Masterduct also processes other materials

Material picture: Granulate polyurethane Material of Masterduct

Polyurethane (PUR)

PUR is the ideal material for industrial hoses that must be used to transport highly abrasive or problematic media.

More about PUR

 

Material picture: PVC granulate Masterduct

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

PVC is an inexpensive, versatile material, suitable for almost any environment and application.

More on PVC as a material

Picture of Material: Thermoplastic Vulcanizates - Materials of Masterduct

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV)

TPV offers the properties of a vulcanized rubber with the processability of a thermoplastic.

More on TPV material