PE Plastic: A Common Material in Children’s Toys

PE plastic is commonly used in the production of children’s toys. Not only is it safe for young children, but PE plastic also possesses many advantages such as high durability, lightweight design, and more. So, what is PE plastic, what types are there, and what are its applications? Let’s explore with AVAKids in the article below!

1What is PE Plastic?

PE plastic, or Polyethylene, is a type of plastic with excellent flexibility, an opaque white color, and slight translucence. The molecular structure of PE is Ethylene CH2-CH2, with saturated hydrogen molecules bonded between two carbon atoms. To produce Polyethylene, the polymerization reaction of Ethylene Monomer (C2H4) is used.

PE plastic has a glossy surface with high aesthetic appeal and can withstand temperatures up to 230 degrees Celsius. Additionally, PE plastic has non-conductive, insulating, waterproof, and gas-resistant properties. However, a drawback of this material is its susceptibility to swelling and damage if exposed to cleaning chemicals.

It is estimated that 60 million tons of PE plastic are consumed worldwide annually, making it the most common type of plastic globally. This material is applied in various fields such as industry, water pipe accessories, printing, electrical applications, and more.

Lego Creator 31102 Fire Dragon (234 pieces)

2Classification and Applications of PE Plastic

2.1 VLDPE

VLDPE is the type of plastic with the lowest PE density. It’s an amorphous solid, very flexible, and extremely tough. Therefore, this type of plastic is widely used in the production of industrial films, shrink films, stretch films, protective gear, and more. VLDPE is also a component used in the production of many other types of plastic.

Flexible and durable VLDPE is often used to produce shrink film

2.2 LDPE

Compared to VLDPE, LDPE has a higher PE density. This type of plastic is commonly used in laboratory equipment, plastic pipes and bags, packaging, bottles, and jars. Plastic bags and shopping bags are most commonly made from LDPE.

LDPE is used to make bottles and jars due to its high PE content

2.3 LLDPE

LLDPE still has a low density, but its structure is linear. This material is commonly used in the manufacturing of pipes, containers, bottle caps, cables, plastic wraps, and children’s toys.

TANAKA 6141-S 1:16 Scale Rock Climbing Remote Control Car

2.4 MDPE

With a medium PE density, MDPE is used to make shipping bags, sacks, screw closures, and more. This is also one of the most widely used plastics in manufacturing in the Vietnamese market today.

MDPE is widely used in the market

2.5 HDPE

The PE ratio in HDPE is quite high, among the highest of the PE-based plastics. Therefore, the dense particle density gives HDPE the ability to resist insect infestation and mold. Thanks to this, this type of plastic is used to make water pipes, plastic tanks, children’s toys, and more. In addition, HDPE also has some outstanding features such as:

* Good resistance to heat, electricity, and pressure. HDPE can withstand temperatures down to -40 degrees Celsius and prolonged exposure to sunlight without cracking.
* HDPE also effectively resists corrosion and can withstand strong chemicals such as salts and acids.
* The weight of this plastic is relatively light, so it is often used in the production of household items.
* In addition, HDPE is also quite flexible and has good elasticity.

HDPE’s good waterproofing makes it suitable for water pipes

2.6 XLPE

Unlike conventional PE plastics, XLPE has cross-linked Polyethylene chains rather than linear connections. This creates a solid structure, preventing the separation and flow of the polymer. XLPE is used in the production of electrical cables, pipes, and plastic films.

XLPE has a solid structure and is used for electrical cables

2.7 HDXLPE

HDXLPE is similar to XLPE, with high-density cross-linking. Therefore, this type of plastic is utilized in cooling systems, domestic water pipes, containers, tanks, and more.

HDXLPE used for containers

3Advantages and Disadvantages of PE Plastic

3.1 Advantages

The following advantages have made PE a popular and highly applicable type of plastic:

* PE plastic has excellent water and moisture resistance, achieving high waterproofing effectiveness.
* It has good heat resistance and doesn’t change properties even at temperatures as low as -58 degrees Celsius.
* Affordable, easy to process, and safe for users.
* Glossy surface with higher aesthetics compared to other types of plastic.

PE plastic film used for greenhouses

3.2 Disadvantages

However, besides its outstanding advantages, PE still has some limitations such as:

* Poor odor resistance and easily permeable to oxygen.
* Prone to grease and oil stains, emitting an unpleasant odor when melted at high temperatures.
* The characteristic color of PE plastic is difficult to change. One way to improve this is by rapid cooling after heating PE, but this method is quite difficult to implement.

PE plastic is susceptible to odors and air permeability

4Is PE Plastic Toxic? What Precautions Should Be Taken When Using It?

In general, PE plastic is quite safe and non-toxic in its solid state, such as in cups, trays, plastic boxes, etc. However, in liquid form, PE plastic can generate many harmful toxins. Therefore, when using it, you should note:

* Avoid heating PE plastic products in air fryers or microwave ovens at excessively high temperatures (above 110 degrees Celsius). This is especially dangerous with fatty foods if your appliance is not specifically designed for hot food.
* Clean PE plastic containers by first wiping off any grease or oil on the surface with a paper towel, then washing with dish soap. Never wash PE plastic items under boiling water or with strong cleaning chemicals.
* Do not store PE plastic products in environments containing strong odors to prevent the plastic from absorbing them.

PE plastic is quite safe when used correctly

5Distinguishing PE Plastic from Other Common Plastics

Plastic Types	Characteristics	Advantages	Disadvantages
PE Plastic	Translucent with a hazy appearance, flexible, and glossy surface.	PE has good water and moisture resistance. Good heat resistance, but only for short periods.	PE has poor gas and grease resistance.  PE packaging has a high capacity for absorbing and retaining odors.
PP Plastic	Transparent, glossy surface, high mechanical strength, firm, and rigid.	Glossy surface provides clear printing with vibrant colors. Resistant to oxygen, water vapor, some other gases, and grease. Used for food packaging.	PP plastic is prone to cracking and damage if left in the environment for a long time. PP easily breaks into small pieces in low-temperature environments.
PVC Plastic	PVC plastic is brittle and less flexible.  Should only be used for packaging raw foods with a short shelf life. Less commonly used compared to PE and PP.	Used in the production of drain pipes, raincoats, electrical cable sheathing, etc.	If PVC is used for packaging, PE or PP needs to be added to make it more flexible. However, plasticized PVC will become hard, brittle, and deteriorate over time. PVC has a short lifespan and is not durable.
PC Plastic	PC plastic is transparent, durable, wear-resistant, and not affected by food components.	Higher gas permeability resistance than PE and PVC. Good heat resistance above 100 degrees Celsius. Therefore, PC is used to produce bottles, caps for sterilized products, and containers.	PC plastic is more expensive than PP and PET, so it is less commonly used.
PET Plastic	PET plastic is transparent, durable, wear-resistant, and impact-resistant.	Does not change its chemical structure with temperature changes. Maintains its gas and vapor barrier properties at temperatures around 100 degrees Celsius. PET is highly resistant to force, heat, and abrasion.	Poor heat resistance at very high temperatures. PET plastic is easily oxidized.

We hope the above article has provided you with useful information about PE plastic and other PE-based plastics. If you have any further questions, please visit our website avakids.com or contact our hotline 1900.866.874 (7:30 AM – 10:00 PM) for the quickest response!