HDPE Vs. Polycarbonate: A Comparative Analysis for Material Selection

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a flexible polymer that has existed for a long time. It is made from hydrocarbons. HDPE has fewer side branches than other polyethylene (PE) types, making it denser. HDPE is often used to package chemicals like bleach and soap for use in the home.

Polycarbonate plastic (PC) is a solid and durable material that lets light through very well. It allows more light through than glass because it is flexible, has a high refractive index, and absorbs light in the UV range. It is a suitable replacement for glass in many situations because it has these qualities and is hard to break.

This article will compare HDPE and polycarbonate in terms of applications, characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages.

HDPE Plastic: Everything you need to know

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a group of medium to high-density polyethylenes. They are all the same chemically, and the only things that make them different are the side-branched monomers’ number, regularity, and size. In a high-pressure reaction chamber, the byproducts of diazomethane are used to make repeated chains of CH2.

By controlling the polymerization process, HDPE becomes more substantial, stiffer, and challenging. It is often used to make filament for 3D printers, car fuel tanks, packing materials, and boat parts.

Common Characteristics of HDPE Plastic

Before understanding how it is used in business, you must know what it is. So, here are some Characteristics of HDPE Plastic:

HDPE’s melting point is between 120 and 140°C
HDPE is between 0.93 and 0.97 g/cm3
The continuous temperature range is from -50°C to +60°C.
Transparent in thin film form.
Good resistance to alcohols, alkalis, and acids that aren’t too strong.
Complies with FDA.
There isn’t much protection to aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, mineral oils, oxidizing agents, and halogenated hydrocarbons.
It can constantly withstand temperatures up to 80°C and 95°C for shorter periods.
High electrical conductivity from getting through.
Affordable material and easy to work anyone can afford.
Good weather ability and high impact strength at low temperatures

Some grades are made to meet your unique needs, such as being resistant to environmental stress cracking (ESCR), stiff, not shrinking much, UV-stabilized, etc.

Common Applications of HDPE Plastic

Fuel tanks, wires and cables, cable ties and retainers, and clips attached to the body.
Trash cans, yard tools, furniture, storage containers, toys for kids, and playground equipment.
Crates, trays, milk bottles, PET bottle caps, gas cans, drums, and containers for industrial fluids.
Ropes, fishing nets, sports nets, and fabrics are used in industry and for decorating.
HDPE is used for packaging high-value items and foods.

Advantages of HDPE Plastic

HDPE plastic is famous for its advantages over other materials that make it stand out. Here is a short list of the benefits of HDPE:

High relationship of strength to weight.
High strength, and it doesn’t dent or scratch easily.
Low coefficient of friction and low uptake of water.
Chemicals, water, solvents, acids, washing fluids, and cleaning solutions don’t hurt.
Simple to recycle.
Mold, mildew, rotting, mineral acids and bases, dirt, and resistance to the weather.
It is very malleable when hot and shrinks.
It can be used instead of heavier products in some situations.
Cost-effective.

Disadvantages of HDPE Plastic

HDPE has some disadvantages, just like every other material. Here is a short list of the disadvantages of HDPE plastic:

Weak against oxidizers or chlorinated chemicals.
It can catch fire in some ways because it is made from petroleum.
Higher thermal growth.
Prone to stress cracking in less-than-ideal conditions.

Polycarbonate Plastic: Everything you need to know

Polycarbonate (PC) is the best material for uses that must be clear and strong enough to withstand a hit. Even though it scratches easily, the use of various hard coats compensates for this. This could make the surface one of the most scratch-resistant of all plastics. Because it has a refractive value of 1.58, it is an excellent choice for optics and corrective lenses.

Even though the material doesn’t hold up well to UV light, using hard coats and adding antioxidants during molding make up for this.

Common Characteristics of Polycarbonate Plastic

Here are some common vital Characteristics and specifications to give you an idea of what to expect:

1.2 is the specific gravity.
Temperature to melt: 295–315°C; temperature to mold: 70–95°C.
Temperature of heat deflection: 137°C at 0.45 MPa.
61 MPa for tensile strength and 90 MPa for bending strength.
Rate of shrinkage: 0.5–0.7%.
118R is the Rockwell hardness.
Good clarity (not made for machines or not filled).
Excellent strength.
Simple to glue together with liquid cement
Good protection for electricity.
Stiff and firm.
The material is easy to make, cut, and thermoform.

Common Applications of Polycarbonate Plastic

Cameras, lenses, and tools used in medicine.
Bulletproof glass.
Covers, weather screens, and vandal-proof panels/windows for advertising in public places, bus stops, and other areas.
Some laser guides, filters for instruments, light guides, and fiber optics.
To protect cars and people.
Face shields and safety glasses.
Blu-ray, DVDs, and so on.
Parts of the headlights.
Hard trunks and bags.
Windows in a greenhouse.

Advantages of Polycarbonate Plastic

Some advantages of Polycarbonate:

It is solid and resistant to pressure at low and high temperatures.
Grades that are easy to see are available.
Good heat resistance, flame resistance, RoHS compliance, mold release, lubrication, stable dimensions, impact resistance, processability, heat resistance, and high viscosity.
Polycarbonates are almost impossible to break and can handle a lot of force.
Polycarbonates are also great because they don’t let UV light through.
Compared to glass, plexiglass, and other plastics, polycarbonates are very light.
Polycarbonates can handle both heat and cold very well.
Another benefit is that it can be used for different things.
Polycarbonate doesn’t break down in the sun, rain, or snow.

Disadvantages of Polycarbonate Plastic

The main problem with plastic is that it’s easy to scratch.
Another disadvantage is that they are expensive.

Comparison Between HDPE Vs. Polycarbonate Plastic

Type	HDPE Plastic	Polycarbonate Plastic
Short description	High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a petroleum-based thermoplastic material.	Polycarbonate is a strong, clear plastic that is very stiff and can take a lot of force without breaking.
What ingredients used to make this	High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is the linear form of polyethylene, a light, flexible resin that combines ethylene molecules.	Most of the time, Polycarbonate is made when bisphenol A and carbonyl chloride combine at the surface of a liquid.
applications	HDPE was used to make many things, like containers for food and drinks, boxes for cleaning products, pipes, cutting boards, and some shoe parts.	Some of the most popular uses are compact discs, safety helmets, bullet-proof glass, car headlamp lenses, baby feeding bottles, roofing, glazing, etc.
characteristics	Flexible, precise, or waxy, waterproof, strong at low temperatures (down to -60°C), easy to work with in most ways, cheap, and resistant to chemicals.	Polycarbonates are engineering thermoplastics that are strong, stiff, complex, rigid, and transparent and can stay stiff up to 140°C and tough down to -20°C or even lower in some grades.
Pros	HDPE is more rigid and lasts longer. It comes in different shades, from clear to dark, and is chemical resistant.	Fireproof, vandal-proof, durable, protective, and light. Simple to use in a machine.
Cons	HDPE is flammable, breaks easily under stress, and can’t be broken down by nature.	The main problem with plastic is that it’s easy to scratch.

Final Words

HDPE plastic is different from polycarbonate plastic, but some plastic parts/components can be made from either. If you don’t know which to choose for your project, please contact UVTECO. UVTECO, as an expert in material and machining solutions, will be a trustworthy supplier of HDPE and polycarbonate plastic from China, and we can help you with that.