HDPE Vs. PVC Sheets: Choosing the Best Material for Your Project

HDPE is a popular thermoplastic polymer as it offers some superior properties in terms of versatility, strength, and durability. This construction material’s full form is high-density Polyethylene and is equipped with a high strength-to-density ratio. On the other hand, PVC is a polymer, and its full form is Polyvinyl Chloride sheets. This material is equipped with some excellent properties, durability, resistivity, and flexibility.

Understanding various aspects of HDPE and PVC sheets allows professionals to make well-informed decisions in the construction material selection process. Knowing these construction materials’ properties, applications, pros, and cons assists you in choosing the best material for your project. Here, we detail the relevant aspects while differentiating the materials.

HDPE: Everything you need to know

HDPE was developed by Nobel Prize winner Karl Ziegler in 1953. To produce commercial-use HDPE, Karl used the concept of the polymerization process of producing polypropylene which was invented by Paul Hogan and Robert Banks in 195.

Today, in general, HDPE is produced by using a technique named slurry polymerization. This process starts with the application of intense heat to petroleum. Here, ethylene gas is formed. Following this, a catalyst and a small quantity of liquid ethylene are placed in a reactor to form a slurry. To finalize the polymerization, the previously produced ethylene gas is inserted into the reactor, which causes monomers to polymerize. Finally, the HDPE is extracted.

Common Characteristics of HDPE Plastic

It is permeable to gas and easy to process.
HDPE can withstand a considerable amount of stress.
It has a promising amount of load-bearing capacity.
This construction material is highly resistant to a wide range of chemicals like water, solvents, acids, etc.
It has a low moisture absorption rate and an extensive amount of weather-resistant properties.
HDPE restricts the effect of UV exposure.
HDPE is recyclable.

Common Applications of HDPE

Below are the most common uses of this material.

The associated strength and durability of HDPE allow the construction industry to use it for the covering of underground cabling, piping, etc.
It is also used in the telecommunication industry to safeguard cabling.
HDPE is used to produce plastic bottles and containers to store shampoo, milk, motor oil, soap, etc. This use is for the chemical resistive property.
HDPE’s weather-resistant nature makes it an ideal material for manufacturing outdoor furniture, seating arrangements, etc.
Pipes and pipe fittings are also made from HDPE due to its corrosion resistance and long-lasting performance. It is also used in forming artificial agricultural irrigation and gas distribution systems.
The associated toughness, stiffness, and strength allow auto manufacturers to use this material in the production of fuel tanks, bumper beams, and various interior components.

Advantages of HDPE Plastic

Here, we detail the advantages of using HDPE.

It can withstand extreme weather conditions.
HDPE is relatively cheap.
It provides amazing durability.
Strong, flexible, and non-leaching.
HDPE is UV-resistant and recyclable.

Disadvantages of HDPE

Below are the disadvantages of HDPE.

HDPE is flammable in certain forms.
It can host stress cracking.
It is not biodegradable.

PVC Sheets: Everything You Need to Know

Initially, PVC was accidentally invented by German chemist Eugen Baumann when he tried to polymerize vinyl chloride gas in 1872. But, he failed to recognize the importance of this material. Later, in 1912, Fritz Klatte, a German chemist, introduced the process of forming PVC commercially. However, to make PVC sheets popular, Waldo Semon, a chemist in USA-based B.F. Goodrich Company is considered a pioneer.

To produce a PVC sheet, the first step is to form ethylene dichloride by combining chlorine and ethylene. Then, under high temperatures, this mixture forms vinyl chloride monomers, which are the base of PVC. After appropriate polymerization of vinyl chloride monomer, the final PVC is formed. Finally, produced PVC shaped in various sizes of sheets to supply ready-to-use PVC sheets in the market.

Common Characteristics of PVC Sheets

The following are the base characteristics of PVC sheets.

PVC sheets are resistant to environmental and chemical degradations.
This material is equipped with high tensile strength and hardness while incorporating an appropriate level of flexibility.
Due to having a higher amount of chlorine content (57%), PVC has flame-resistant capability.
These sheets are lightweight, versatile, and durable.
PVC sheets can be recycled easily.

Common Applications of PVC Plastic

Here, we list some common applications of PVC sheets.

In the advertising industry, PVC sheets are used to make signages, billboards, POS displays, etc.
Due to the associated strength, flexibility, and durability, PVC sheets are also used in the construction sector. In this case, this construction item is used for forming wall panels, room dividers, decorative ceiling elements, floorings, etc.
In the automotive industry, PVC sheets are used for the roofing of buses, trains, and cars.
These sheets are also used in manufacturing home and office furniture.
PVC sheets are popular among DIY enthusiasts for creating various craft items, photo frames, models, etc.

Advantages of PVC Plastic

Here are some must-know advantages of this material.

PVC sheets are highly affordable and cost-effective.
These sheets and created products require less maintenance.
This construction item is easy to handle, transport, and store.
These sheets are non-flammable and recyclable.

Disadvantages of PVC Plastic

Two issues we would like to mention here about this material.

It can contribute to environmental degradation by releasing chlorine.
Upon burning, it produces toxic gas and substances.

Comparison Between Product HDPE Vs. PVC Sheet

Type	HDPE Sheet	PVC Sheets
Short description	HDPE is high-density Polyethylene	PVC is a polymer
What ingredients used to make this	Liquid and gas ethylene from petroleum, catalysts	Chlorine and ethylene
Applications	HDPE is used to manufacture pipes, bottles, lids, auto parts, trash bins, etc.	PVC sheets are used to make vehicles’ roofs, decorating items, furniture, display boards, etc.
Characteristics	It provides a higher degree of strength, stiffness, and durability. It has a low moisture absorption rate. It is also recyclable.	Non-flammable, weather-resistant, high tensile strength.
Trade Name	HiTec, Paxon, King Colorboard, etc.	Anwidur, Apex, etc.
Price	Per Ton HDPE price ranges from $1,143 to $1,250	The per-square-foot price is $0.30 to $1.34. It depends on quality, color, thickness, etc.

Final Words

Although some plastic parts/components can be made from HDPE and PVC plastic, they are different engineering plastics. If you don’t know how to choose for your project, please contact UVTECO. UVTECO is a trustworthy supplier of HDPE and PVC plastic from China, and we can help you.