LDPE
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Chemistry
| Stands for | Low-density polyethylene |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
LDPE stands for Low-density polyethylene, a chemistry abbreviation.
Soft, flexible polyethylene with many branched chains, used for plastic films, grocery and bread bags, squeeze bottles, shrink wrap and the coating on milk cartons. It is made at high pressure and is translucent and tough but not very heat resistant.
Example: Bread bags and dry-cleaning film are LDPE and can go in the store drop-off bin.
Usage notes
LDPE was the first polyethylene produced, discovered by accident at ICI in 1933 when ethylene was compressed at very high pressure. It carries resin code 4. Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), made with catalysts, now dominates stretch films. Many curbside programs refuse plastic films because they jam sorting machinery.
Related abbreviations
More chemistry abbreviations
- ICP-MS – Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
- IPA – Isopropyl alcohol
- IR – Infrared spectroscopy
- IUPAC – International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
- LC-MS – Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
- LD50 – Lethal dose, 50%
- LUMO – Lowest unoccupied molecular orbital
- M – Molar (moles per liter)
- MALDI – Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization
- Me – Methyl group
- MEK – Methyl ethyl ketone
- MeOH – Methanol