Adjacent Words

polyethylene definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a lightweight thermoplastic; used especially in packaging and insulation [syn: polyethylene, polythene]

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 1862 a polymer of ethylene; especially any of various partially crystalline lightweight thermoplastics (CH₂CH₂)_x that are resistant to chemicals and moisture, have good insulating properties, and are used especially in packaging and insulation

Britannica Concise

(PE) Any of the polymers of ethylene, the largest class of plastics. Its simple basic structure, of ethylene monomers, can be linear (e.g., high-density or HDPE, and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene UHMWPE) or branched (low-density or LDPE, and linear low-density polyethylene LLDPE). LDPE and LLDPE have similar structures (low crystalline content), properties (high flexibility), and uses (packaging film, plastic bags, mulch, insulation, squeeze bottles, toys, and housewares). HDPE has a dense, highly crystalline structure of high strength and moderate stiffness; blow-molded HDPE bottles are accepted by most recycling programs, unlike injection-molded HDPE pails, appliance housings, and toys. UHMWPE is made with molecular weights 6-12 times that of HDPE; it can be spun and stretched into stiff, highly crystalline fibers with tensile strength many times that of steel; uses include bulletproof vests.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. = POLYTHENE.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Polyethylene is a type of plastic made into thin sheets or bags and used especially to keep food fresh or to keep things dry. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use polythene)