POLYOLEFIN PLASTIC COMPOUNDS & POLYOLEFIN PLASTIC MANUFACTURING FROM AMERICHEM

There are many factors to consider in the material selection process of polyolefins, especially when it comes to the appropriateness and synergy of reinforcements and additives. Americhem leads the industry with polyolefin compounds and masterbatch formulations developed with our customers’ requirements in mind. Keep reading to learn more about polyolefins and our custom polyolefin plastic solutions.

WHAT ARE POLYOLEFINS?

Polyolefin is a class of synthetic polymers created by the polymerization of olefins. What are olefins? Olefins are unsaturated hydrocarbons (monomers) whose molecules contain a double bond between two carbon atoms. All polyolefins start out as simple olefins which are often referred to as alkenes. Different molecules then attach in chains, leading to an array of materials with desired properties, such as density, stiffness, strength and opacity that can be altered by manipulating the catalyst and other variables.

Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) are the two most common types of polyolefins. Both polymers are highly versatile, durable and recyclable. Polypropylene is generally more rigid and has a higher melting point than polyethylene. Polyethylene is among the most widely used plastics in the world, created through the polymerization of ethylene as the olefin. Polyolefin also comes in various densities based on the branching and structure of molecular chains, each also giving unique differences in physical properties. The most common are high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).

The production of polyolefin fibers from chain-growth polymerization serves many global end-use industries, including textile, automotive, packaging, building and construction. 

Polyolefin Advantages from Americhem

As custom compounders, Americhem offers an extensive range of innovative materials, including high-performance polyolefin products, to meet the most demanding applications. Our vast access to high-grade raw materials combined with our 40-year history of technical engineering expertise and advanced testing capabilities allow us to produce tailored polyolefin solutions that set the standard for quality, consistency and cost-efficiency.

Whether you’re looking to produce stain-resistant polyolefin fabric, chemically inert polyolefin plastic packaging or automotive interior parts made from thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), Americhem’s customer-focused approach means we can handle any compounding project, regardless of the scope or volume. We have a proven record of helping our clients achieve success across diverse markets, and we specialize in creating polyolefin compounds that require an exact color match.

POLYOLEFIN PLASTIC ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

Polyolefin is a popular and cost-effective material used across a wide variety of industries and markets. Each type of polyolefin resin possesses specific qualities that may make it more or less suitable for a particular application. To ensure a polyolefin material will perform as effectively as possible, Americhem carefully evaluates all ingredients and examines the end product’s intended use. Below are general advantages and disadvantages for product developers to consider when thinking about using a polyolefin plastic as their molding resin. 

POLYOLEFIN ADVANTAGES:

  • Highly durable
  • Lightweight
  • Excellent chemical resistance
  • Superb clarity and transparency
  • Good weather resistance
  • Good flexural and tensile properties
  • Good hydrolysis resistance
  • Good tear resistance
  • Good abrasion resistance
  • Good insulating properties
  • Good stress crack resistance
  • Wide temperature performance range
  • Good colorability
  • Cost-effective
  • Recyclable
  • Eco-friendly to produce (no harmful vapors are emitted during processing)
  • Reduced energy required for processing
  • Water-resistant applications

POLYOLEFIN DISADVANTAGES:

  • Low melting point can limit performance (the HDPE melting point is higher than that of LPDE, allowing it to withstand higher temperatures)
  • Prone to light degradation (additives can resolve this issue)
  • Inferior shrink resistance
Interior car parts
Stadium seats
Bottles
Lids
Carpeting
Apparel
Polyolefin Plastic Applications

OUR POLYOLEFIN MATERIAL OFFERINGS

Americhem’s polyolefin products can be custom developed for extrusion, injection molding, blow molding and compression molding manufacturing methods. Our polyolefin base resins include:

  • Polypropylene (PP)
  • Polyethylene (PE)
Exterior high chroma applications
Film & sheet
FDA grade durables
Closures
Carpeting
Apparel
Woodgrain
Camouflage