For polyethylene film production, HDPE, Hi-Molecular HDPE, mHDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, and PP each offer different balances of strength, flexibility, dart impact resistance, and barrier properties. HDPE and Hi-Mol HDPE excel in stiffness and barrier performance, LDPE and LLDPE provide flexibility and toughness, while PP stands out for heat resistance and clarity.
What is HDPE?
High stiffness and barrier → good for thin, rustling films (shopping bags). Lower dart strength compared to LDPE.
What is Hi-Mol HDPE?
Same density as HDPE but with extra toughness and abrasion resistance → ideal for heavy-duty films.
What is mHDPE (MDPE)?
Middle ground between HDPE and LDPE → resists cracking, used in medium-strength films.
What is LDPE?
Highly branched → soft, flexible, clear films with high dart impact resistance but weaker barrier.
What is LLDPE?
Linear backbone with short branches → superior toughness, puncture resistance, and tear strength → widely used in stretch films and agricultural films.
What is PP?
Different polymer → highest melting point, best moisture barrier, and clarity → used for hot-fill and microwave-safe films.
Film resins compared
| Resin | Density (g/cm³) | Melting point (°C) | Dart impact strength | Water vapour barrier | Key film applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDPE | 0.941–0.965 | 130–137 | Moderate (lower than LDPE/LLDPE) | Excellent (high crystallinity) | Grocery bags, garbage bags, rigid packaging films |
| Hi-Mol HDPE | ~0.94–0.96 | 130–137 | High (due to very long chains) | Excellent | Heavy-duty liners, geomembrane films, industrial packaging |
| mHDPE (MDPE) | 0.926–0.940 | 120–125 | Balanced (better crack resistance than HDPE) | Good | Gas/water pipe films, medium-strength packaging |
| LDPE | 0.910–0.925 | 105–115 | High (soft, flexible, absorbs impact) | Moderate (lower crystallinity) | Food bags, garment bags, stretch films |
| LLDPE | 0.915–0.940 | 120–125 | Very High (puncture & tear resistant) | Good | Stretch wrap, agricultural films, industrial liners |
| PP (Polypropylene) | 0.90–0.91 | 160–165 | Moderate | Excellent (best moisture barrier among these) | Microwave-safe films, hot-fill packaging, clear display films |
Trade-offs to consider
Barrier vs. Flexibility: HDPE and PP provide better water vapor barrier, while LDPE and LLDPE excel in dart strength and toughness.
Processing: LDPE has excellent melt strength, making it easy to process into films; LLDPE requires blending for optimal extrusion.
In summary
- Use HDPE/Hi-Mol HDPE for strong barrier films.
- Use LDPE/LLDPE for flexible, impact-resistant films.
- Use PP when heat resistance and moisture barrier are critical.
What we make from them
See all polythene products, or how the film is made in our factory.