High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) are two types of commonly used plastics made for everyday use &#; from packaging to food storage, and containers for pharmaceutical products.
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However, if one type of plastic is good for these purposes, why are both types commonly used?
This article will attempt to explain and outline the difference between HDPE and PET, their specific uses and why both products are required in equal measure.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a thermoplastic polymer belonging to the polyester family. Thermoplastics liquidize at high temperatures and harden on cooling which creates a more rigid plastic material with a higher tensile strength.
PET is commonly used in the production of plastic bottles, food containers and packaging films. It&#;s also used in the pharmaceutical industry for medicine bottles, pill packaging, vials, inhalers and diagnostic test kits.
PET plastic is a must-have for any business dealing with the storage and transportation of delicate products. In the pharmaceutical industry, that need is larger than ever. Origin offers affordable, high-quality PET Bottles that can be used for a wide range of pharmaceutical products.
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High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is another highly versatile thermoplastic known for its versatility for packaging and its protective qualities. HDPE is made using petroleum and formed through the process of polymerization.
It is commonly used in plastic packaging and protective materials &#; like plastic bottles and pipes. However, it&#;s also commonly used within the pharmaceuticals industry for packaging, medicine bottles, caps and closures, labware, pill bottles, prescription packaging and inhaler components.
HDPE has a high-density, linear structure that results in a rigid and tough material. However, Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) retains much of the tensile strength of its high-density counterpart &#; but is much less rigid in design. LDPE is commonly used for a more flexible form of protection like plastic bags or pharmaceutical IV bags.
The Main Physical Properties of HDPE Include:
HDPE plastic is essential for any business looking for a dense and rigid packaging material with a high tensile strength. Origin offers a range of HDPE bottles at a competitive price. These HDPE bottles can be used for storing delicate medicines &#; providing strong barrier protection against sunlight, moisture and heat.
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HDPE and PET offer similar sustainability and recycling benefits. Both products are highly recyclable and can even be repurposed to create new products out of recycled materials.
Recycling HDPE and PET reduces the demand for virgin plastic, conserves resources and reduces landfill waste.
Additionally, the recycling process for HDPE and PET has a lower energy consumption than many other forms of plastic recycling or virgin plastic production.
Because both plastics can be recycled and repurposed in a way that benefits the environment and a business&#;s bottom line, many of them are choosing these materials as they promote a more responsible and sustainable approach to plastic production.
Both types of plastic are highly versatile and find use across many industries because of their protective properties.
Beyond the pharmaceutical industry, HDPE is commonly used to manufacture bottles and containers, pipes and fittings, construction materials and automotive parts.
PET is commonly used in beverage bottles, food packaging (as it&#;s considered food-safe by the FSA), textiles, personal care products and electrical insulation.
Both PET and HDPE have their uses in pharmaceutical packaging. PET is transparent, non-permeable, and chemical resistant. This makes it more suitable for liquid medications and volatile or harsh chemicals.
HDPE on the other hand, is much more durable, more impact resistant and does not corrode when storing most common pharmaceutical liquids.
The choice between PET and HDPE plastics will ultimately depend on what products you&#;re trying to package. For example, formulas in glass pipette bottles may need a more durable HDPE secondary packaging to protect the delicate glass from impacts, whereas other products, like pill trays, don&#;t require that level of durability.
HDPE is known for its impermeability &#; making it suitable for everything from packaging and containers, to pipes and outdoor furniture that are constantly exposed to the elements.
PET&#;s water-resistant properties mean that it can be used in the manufacture of water bottles, food containers and other liquid storage applications.
The melting point of HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) typically ranges from 120 &#; 180°C (248 &#; 356°F) depending on the specific grade of HDPE and its chemical composition. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) has a higher melting point, ranging from 240 &#; 260°C (464 &#; 500°F).
HDPE is considered a relatively inexpensive plastic when compared to other plastics of similar composition and usage types. PET plastic is also available at a more modest price range, with HDPE being slightly more cost-effective on average. However, when compared to other plastics, HDPE and PET are both considered highly cost-effective.
HDPE and PET are two distinct types of plastic with unique chemical compositions and physical properties &#; this means that they&#;re not compatible to be mixed together. Attempting to mix HDPE and PET would result in a structurally unstable, incompatible blend. It&#;s possible to separate HDPE and PET plastics used in the same product to improve recycling, but it requires the use of two separate recycling methods upon disposal &#; making the finished product difficult to recycle.
Both HDPE and PET have good strength properties &#; although the specific strength characteristics differ. HDPE is known for its higher tensile strength and impact resistance. This makes it better suited for containers and products that are likely to undergo sudden impacts.
PET is still strong but not as rigid. Because of this, it&#;s more flexible and can be more easily moulded into bespoke shapes to achieve a unique design &#; something that&#;s difficult to do with rigid HDPE plastic.
PET vs HDPE: Which one is better?
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PET vs HDPE uses
The utilization of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic materials in manufacturing fields has long been no stranger. Especially in the industries of health care, food packaging, agricultural packaging, freight transportation, etc., PET vs HDPE are always top considerations. Although sharing the same advantages of flexibility, compact design, cost efficiency, and remarkable durability, PET vs HDPE plastic still has its own characteristics and performance. Analyzing and understanding the properties of PET vs HDPE is very important to optimize product performance and investment costs. The shares below will provide some comparisons between PET vs HDPE to assist readers in choosing materials suitable for production needs.
Bottles made of PET plastic
PET plastic's full chemical name is polyethylene terephthalate. One of the most commonly used plastics in many different industries. PET has transparent properties and belongs to the most popular thermoplastic group in polyester. To obtain PET, people use ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid to combine together. This compound forms polymer chains that are then cut into small plastic beads. PET plastic pellets are then heated and molded into shapes according to production needs. The melting point of PET plastic is 145°F. PET plastic can be recycled but requires careful cleaning.
In addition, PET possesses excellent technical parameters. Typically, PET has high durability, good resistance to mechanical damage, and is very safe for consumers' health because it does not contain phthalate and BPA. According to FDA certification, PET plastic is completely safe to use to make products that come into direct contact with food and drinks such as water bottles, food packaging, and food containers. Besides its top position in the food packaging field, PET plastic is also widely used in the production of clothing fibers, chemical bottles, and product protective films.
Read more: What is Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)?
Bottles made of HDPE plastic
HDPE plastic is one of the types of plastic that is safe for humans and has very diverse uses. To create HDPE, people collect and heat ethane (from ethylene gas). Ethane is mixed with benzene, which is exposed directly to UV radiation. After this chemical reaction, the compound is heat treated to remove oxygen and molded into sheets. At this point, we obtain HDPE, known as high-density polyethylene plastic. HDPE is a thermoplastic with a melting point higher than many other plastics with an index of up to 160°F. However, when melted, HDPE is very easy to bend, mold or re-shape and will be very sturdy when cooled.
Besides, HDPE plastic also possesses extremely valuable properties such as high durability, impact resistance, water resistance, and high antibacterial properties. The moisture absorption rate of HDPE is very low, they can resist organic solvents such as salts, bases, acids, and some other corrosive chemicals. Because of its durability and lack of damage, HDPE is often used in the production of plastic containers, agricultural packaging, plastic containers for chemicals, etc. Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, HDPE is also very safe for human health. Specifically, it is used to produce water bottles, water bottles, and food containers.
Read more: HDPE (High density polyethylene) - What is it? Properties & common uses
PET plastic beads
HDPE plastic beads
PET melting point is 145°F
Both PET and HDPE have quite good heat resistance, but HDPE has a higher melting point of 160°F and PET is 145°F. In terms of cold resistance, HDPE has a lower cold brittle temperature than PET at -50°F and PET at -40°F.
In general, PET vs HDPE does not have a big difference in temperature range and are both considered good temperature resistant materials. However, depending on production needs and usage environment, investors can consider the type of plastic suitable for temperature and climate conditions.
Barrels made of HDPE plastic
Environmental stress is one of the common causes of internal and external cracks in plastic materials caused by tensile stress. This may affect the products they contain. Considering HDPE plastic, they often crack due to chemical attacks on the semi-crystalline plastic material. For PET, the molecular density of PET is higher than HDPE, so it somewhat improves its resistance to cracking from environmental stress.
PET vs HDPE Recyclability comparison
As mentioned above, PET vs HDPE both belong to the group of recyclable thermoplastics. However, each type will have a different recycling process to facilitate the decomposition and reconstitution of elements because they have different structures. For PET plastic, the recyclability rating is 1. This means that PET plastic indicates that PET's recyclability is not very good. Consumers should thoroughly clean PET plastic before intending to recycle it and reuse it only once before disposing of it. Regarding HDPE plastic, it has a recycling rating of 2. This means that HDPE plastic has a safer recycling level than PET with about 10 times more recycling before disposal.
HDPE bottle and PET bottle
In general, PET and HDPE are both plastics with diverse applications. Besides, PET vs HDPE is also a material that brings economic benefits to investors because the price is cheaper than other metal materials. Depending on the purpose, environment, usage needs and business plan, investors can consider the properties of PET and HDPE to choose the appropriate material for their project. For example, if you need a material for food wrap you can choose PET. If you need to produce drums or barrels, you can consider HDPE. Read more useful articles at EuroPlas to update more useful information about material selection trends on the market today!
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