What is cross-linking in polyethylene?

Cross-linked polyethylene, commonly abbreviated PEX, XPE or XLPE, is a form of polyethylene with cross-links. It is used predominantly in building services pipework systems, hydronic radiant heating and cooling systems, domestic water piping, and insulation for high tension (high voltage) electrical cables.

What is the difference between polyethylene and cross-linked polyethylene?

Both linear polyethylene and XLPE tanks are made with heated resins to create a cured plastic. However, the differences in their production create very different polyethylenes with very different structural strength. Cross-linking is simply the formation of bonds between the polymer chains.

What is XLPE tank?

Crosslinked Polyethylene is a thermoset resin that has superior heat and chemical resistance, stress cracking resistance as well as low temperature impact strength.

Does HDPE have crosslinking?

A crosslinking reaction of HDPE can be carried out is three ways: high-energy radiation crosslinking [23,24], a chemical crosslinking reaction by organic peroxide [25, 26], and silane-water crosslinking [27,28].

What plastics are cross-linked?

Almost all the hard and rigid plastics we use are cross-linked. These include Bakelite, which is used in many electric plugs and sockets, melamine, which is used in plastic crockery, and epoxy resin glues. Figure 8.26.

Is polypropylene a cross-linked polymer?

The crosslinking of polypropylene☆ Network formation only occurs when allyl acrylate is present and infra-red spectra of the networks suggest that both double bonds have reacted. The concentration of acrylate units in atactic and isotactic polymer networks were measured by infra-red absorption.

What is difference between HDPE and XLPE?

HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) has minimal branching of its’ polymer chains. Because it is denser it is more rigid and less permeable then the LDPE. It has a density of 0.941-0.965g/cm3. XLPE (Crosslinked Polyethylene) is high density polyethylene which has covalent bonds between connecting its polymer chains.

What is difference between polyester and polyethylene?

As nouns the difference between polyethylene and polyester is that polyethylene is (organic compound) a polymer consisting of many ethylene monomers bonded together; used for kitchenware, containers etc while polyester is any polymer whose monomers are linked together by ester bonds.

Is Polythene a cross-linked polymer?

Polythene is the polymer which do not involve cross linkages. Explanation: Polythene is defined as a polymer of ethylene.

What are examples of cross-linked polymers?

Examples of cross-linked polymers include: Polyester fiberglass, polyurethanes used as coatings, adhesives, vulcanized rubber, epoxy resins and many more.