| HS Code | 122000 |
| Product Name | HDPE 5 |
| Manufacturer | Birch Plastics |
| Material Type | High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) |
| Density | 0.954 g/cm³ |
| Melt Flow Rate | 5.0 g/10 min |
| Tensile Strength At Yield | 24.0 MPa |
| Tensile Strength At Break | 20.0 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 600% |
| Flexural Modulus | 1.10 GPa |
| Notched Izod Impact Strength | 60 J/m |
| Hardness Shore D | 65 |
| Heat Deflection Temperature At 0 46 Mpa | 75 °C |
| Vicat Softening Temperature | 125 °C |
| Processing Method | Injection Molding |
| Form | Pellets |
| Color | Natural |
As an accredited Birch Plastics HDPE 5 factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Birch Plastics HDPE 5 is supplied in 25 kg moisture-resistant polyethylene-lined bags with tamper-evident seals and clear product labeling. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | A 20′ FCL container loaded with Birch Plastics HDPE 5 chemical, securely palletized, stacked, and shrink-wrapped for safe ocean transport. |
| Shipping | Birch Plastics HDPE 5 is a non-hazardous high-density polyethylene resin, typically shipped in 25 kg bags or boxes on shrink-wrapped pallets. Transport by truck or rail in clean, dry vehicles. No special DOT/IMDG/IATA labeling required; avoid moisture, sunlight, and contamination. Store cool and dry. |
| Storage | Store Birch Plastics HDPE 5 in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, heat, flames, and strong oxidizing agents. Keep containers tightly closed, clearly labeled, and protected from physical damage. Avoid excessive stacking and prevent pellet or dust accumulation. Do not store near incompatible materials, inspect containers regularly, and follow local regulations and the safety data sheet. |
| Shelf Life | Birch Plastics HDPE 5 has indefinite shelf life under proper storage; keep cool, dry, away from sunlight, heat, and oxidizers. |
Where the lot certificate for Birch Plastics HDPE 5 reports a melt-flow rate of 5 g/10 min under 2.16 kg at 190 °C by ASTM D1238, the material occupies the low-viscosity segment of high-density polyethylene and is suited to thin-wall converters rather than pressure-pipe extruders. Under a 2.16 kg load at 190 °C, the HDPE 5 grade exhibits a nominal melt-flow rate of 5 g/10 min when tested in accordance with ASTM D1238. This viscosity position is typically suited to non-pressure drainage pipe rather than pressure-rated potable water pipe where long-term hydrostatic strength requirements normally favour a lower melt-flow, higher molecular weight resin. A production line configured with a 60 mm single-screw extruder, 30:1 L/D barrier screw, and 60/80/100 mesh screen pack can maintain a melt temperature of 200–230 °C. Die head temperatures are held at 190–210 °C to limit parison sag. Vacuum sizing at −25 to −35 kPa and a cooling water temperature of 15–25 °C freeze the corrugation profile before the haul-off. Recycled-content blends of 70 wt% HDPE 5 with 30 wt% virgin high-density polyethylene are common in dual-wall drainage pipe; all-in-house regrind may be used at up to 100 wt% if the fraction of PP or mixed-polyolefin contamination remains below 2 wt% by FT-IR screening. Finished product includes 100 mm to 600 mm corrugated drainage tile, culvert liners, and agricultural field tile. The compliance chain rests on ASTM F2306 for pipe stiffness, AASHTO M294 for HDPE corrugated pipe, and ISO 21138 for non-pressure drainage systems. Carbon black masterbatch let-down at 2–3 wt% is required for UV stabilization where the pipe is stored outdoors longer than 12 months; natural pipe without UV package is limited to covered or buried installations.
Because closure production converts HDPE at high shear rates through hot-runner gates with diameters as small as 1.0–2.5 mm, unacceptable lot-to-lot deviation in melt-flow rate alters gate freeze time and sink-mark depth. A 5 g/10 min HDPE grade should be held within ±0.5 g/10 min lot-to-lot for consistent closure flatness. Molders running Birch Plastics HDPE 5 in drink caps, tamper-evident rings, and industrial pail lids set barrel temperatures from 210 °C to 250 °C, with nozzle temperature 230–250 °C and mold water temperature 8–15 °C. Holding pressure from 45 MPa to 75 MPa is applied until the gate freezes, typically 0.8–1.5 s for 1.5 mm cap skirts. Addition of 20–30 wt% clean in-house regrind is acceptable; higher regrind fraction raises viscosity variability and increases the risk of cap-bead cracking. Food-contact applications require compliance with FDA 21 CFR 177.1520(b) and EU No 10/2011, plus organoleptic testing per EN 1186-1 where taste transfer is a risk. Non-food pails and truck floor grommets require only RoHS 2011/65/EU and REACH Article 33 SVHC clearance. Finished parts include 28 mm drink closures, 55 mm tamper-evident caps, 2 L pail lids, and injection-molded drainage fittings. The operational limit is set at a melt temperature of 270 °C; above this limit, molecular weight reduction accelerates and the odour of low-molecular-weight aldehydes can appear in the headspace of caps.
At the die lip of a three-roll polishing stack, the 5-melt HDPE feeds a 90 mm single-screw extruder with a barrier Maddock mixing section and a flexible-lip die set to a gap of 1.2–1.8 times the final sheet thickness. Melt temperature is maintained at 215–235 °C, with the polished roll temperature set to 70–85 °C on the lower roll, 60–75 °C on the middle roll, and 40–55 °C on the third roll. Final sheet thickness from 0.5 mm to 4.0 mm can be produced at line speeds of 2–10 m/min. The primary process conflict is draw resonance when the haul-off speed exceeds the melt strength limit; chrome-plated rolls with a closed-loop thickness scanner using beta or X-ray backscatter maintain gauge variation within ±3 %. A replacement ratio of 15–30 wt% HDPE 5 in virgin HDPE sheet maintains tensile properties above 18 MPa when measured by ASTM D638-14; 100 % HDPE 5 sheet is used for black industrial dunnage and slip sheets, where flatness is more critical than impact toughness. Compliance for direct food-sheet use falls under FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 and EU No 10/2011, with migration tests under EN 1186. For non-food protective packaging, RoHS 2011/65/EU and REACH Article 33 cover the resin. Finished products include thermoformed trays, industrial pallet liners, chemical drum liners, agricultural propagation trays, and construction vapour barriers. The material is limited to continuous service below 60 °C; above this threshold, creep modulus drops enough to produce stacking deformation in deep thermoformed shapes.
Accumulator-head extrusion of HDPE 5 at clamp forces from 150 t to 250 t produces jerrycans from 5 L to 30 L. Melt temperature is held at 200–220 °C; parison die gap expands 1.8–2.4 times the final wall thickness to compensate for die swell and weight drop. Blow pressure of 0.7–1.0 MPa and mold temperature of 10–20 °C yield a wall thickness of 1.2–2.5 mm depending on container design. The key performance parameter for hydrocarbon-containing packaging is environmental stress cracking resistance under ASTM D1693-15, Condition B, at 100 % Igepal CO-630; a failure time above 100 h is expected from a higher-molecular-weight HDPE, while a 5-melt grade may require a 20–30 wt% blend with virgin blow-molding resin to meet UN dangerous goods packaging requirements. UN homologation includes drop testing at −18 °C and hydraulic pressure testing at 100 kPa for 30 min; jerrycans manufactured from HDPE 5 must pass before carrying UN 3H1 or 3H2 marks. Factory regrind at 20 wt% is standard; post-consumer recyclate above 30 wt% is not recommended for UN-certified fuel containers because lot-to-lot contamination increases ESCR scatter. Compliance for food-grade jerrycans is FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 and EU No 10/2011; for chemical packaging, ADR/RID/IMDG packaging instructions apply. Finished products include 10 L lubricant jerrycans, 20 L agricultural chemical cans, and 25 L industrial solvent containers. The upper service temperature for continuous contact with nonionic surfactants is 40 °C; above this, environmental stress cracking risk rises sharply.
In underground duct bank production, the HDPE 5 feedstock is normally processed into single-wall or innerduct conduit at wall thicknesses of 0.8–2.0 mm. A 65 mm single-screw extruder with a vacuum-calibrated sizing tank maintains a melt temperature of 210–230 °C and die temperature of 200–215 °C. Puller speed is governed by line capacitance measurement; out-of-roundness is held below 2 % of nominal inside diameter. The material is dry-mixed with 2–3 wt% UV-stabilized carbon black masterbatch when the conduit is used in above-ground stub-ups. For buried multi-cell innerduct, a 0.5–1.0 wt% fluoropolymer processing aid improves high-shear flow without changing melt viscosity. Compliance for electrical conduit is defined by UL 651, CSA C22.2 No. 211.1, and NEMA TC-7; for telecommunications duct, ASTM D3485 and Telcordia GR-315-CORE may apply. The 5-melt grade is limited to non-pressure duct because pipe extrusion at 5 g/10 min produces lower long-term creep resistance than a 0.3–0.5 g/10 min PE100-grade bimodal resin. Finished products include 25 mm to 100 mm HDPE conduit, fibre optic innerduct with silicone-coated inner wall, and gas utility non-pressure casing. The critical process limit is the melt strength during vacuum sizing; melt temperatures above 240 °C cause sag inside the calibrator and produce periodic wall thinning.
Twin-screw compounding lines processing wood-filled HDPE require a counter-rotating or co-rotating extruder with L/D 40:1, atmospheric venting, and side stuffing for wood flour introduction after polymer melting. The HDPE 5 matrix is combined with 50–60 wt% wood flour of 80–120 µm particle size, 1–3 wt% maleated polyethylene coupling agent, 1–2 wt% zinc stearate lubricant, and 0.5–1.0 wt% heat stabilizer masterbatch. Barrel temperature is profiled from 160 °C at the feed throat to 185 °C at the die, because wood flour begins thermal degradation above 200 °C and releases acetic acid that corrodes nitrided barrel surfaces. The coupling agent reacts with wood hydroxyls and the HDPE backbone; without it, flexural strength drops and water absorption rises beyond acceptable limits. Extruded deck boards are cooled in a water spray tank at 20–30 °C and embossed with a surface texture before stacking. The finished product must satisfy ASTM D7032 for deck board performance, ASTM D4761 for flexural strength, and ASTM D1037 for water absorption. Fire performance is tested under ASTM E84, where a Class B rating requires a flame spread index below 75 and smoke developed index below 450. The table below lists a starting formulation window derived from industrial WPC compounding records; exact ratios require line trials because wood species and moisture content alter viscosity. Moisture in wood flour must be below 1 wt% before mixing to avoid steam voids and die pressure fluctuation.
| Component | Typical mass fraction | Processing boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Wood flour, 80–120 µm | 50–60 wt% | Moisture below 1 wt%; wood degradation above 200 °C |
| HDPE 5 matrix | 35–45 wt% | Melt temperature not to exceed 270 °C at screw discharge |
| Maleated polyethylene coupling agent | 1–3 wt% | Low bound needed for flexural strength; excess increases melt viscosity |
| Zinc stearate lubricant | 1–2 wt% | Above 2 wt% may cause screw slip and reduce output |
| Heat stabilizer masterbatch | 0.5–1.0 wt% | Required where regrind fraction exceeds 30 wt% |
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The model designation Birch Plastics HDPE 5 identifies a high-density polyethylene resin supplied in pellet form for melt processing on injection molding, blow molding, sheet extrusion, compounding, and rotational molding lines. The numeral 5 in the product designation is a supplier grade identifier, not an ASTM D7611 resin identification code; high-density polyethylene carries SPI code 2, while the numeral 5 identifies polypropylene in post-consumer recovery streams. That nomenclature boundary is relevant for mixed-resin segregation and contamination control. The polymer is a linear, nonpolar, semi-crystalline thermoplastic. HDPE homopolymer density typically falls between 0.941 g/cm³ and 0.965 g/cm³ under ASTM D1505-20, and melt index is normally reported under ASTM D1238-20 at 190 °C/2.16 kg. Because published grade-specific data for this product is limited, the supplier certificate of analysis is the controlling reference for melt index, density, tensile yield strength, elongation at break, and lot-to-lot variability.
The crystalline structure of HDPE is orthorhombic at ambient pressure; melting peak temperatures from differential scanning calorimetry usually range from 125 °C to 135 °C at a heating rate of 10 °C/min under ISO 11357-3:2018. Crystallinity levels between 60% and 80% are typical for HDPE homopolymer. Unfilled HDPE can exhibit linear mold shrinkage of 0.015 mm/mm to 0.040 mm/mm under ASTM D955-08, with the exact value dependent on mold temperature, part thickness, and flow orientation. These baseline morphology data help establish a stable processing window, but they do not replace lot-specific thermal and rheological data.
On a reciprocating screw injection molding machine, barrel set points for HDPE homopolymer typically span 190 °C to 260 °C from feed to nozzle, with the exact profile selected according to part thickness and flow length. Mold temperatures of 10 °C to 30 °C are used for rapid solidification; sections above 4 mm may require 30 °C to 60 °C to reduce internal voids. Screw back pressure between 0.5 MPa and 1.5 MPa stabilizes melt density without excessive shear heating. Clamp force for thin-wall HDPE components is commonly calculated at 3.0 kN/cm² to 6.0 kN/cm² of projected area, depending on cavity pressure. Shot size should be maintained between 30% and 70% of barrel capacity. Gate design affects pressure loss and molecular orientation: edge gates and fan gates produce lower shear than submarine or pinpoint gates. Pressure drop through a pinpoint gate can exceed 20 MPa, raising local melt temperature and altering weld-line strength. Weld-line tensile properties in HDPE generally fall below bulk material; reductions of 10% to 30% in tensile strength are common depending on melt temperature and hold pressure. Packing pressure is maintained until gate freeze, typically at 50% to 70% of first-stage injection pressure. Premature gate freeze-off becomes likely when mold temperature drops below 5 °C for narrow-wall parts.
Rotational molding with low-melt-index HDPE requires a pulverized powder, not pellets. Particle size distribution typically spans 35 mesh to 200 mesh per ASTM D1921-18. If the resin is received as pellets and ground on a pulverizer with a screen gap below 0.5 mm, frictional heating can raise surface temperature sufficiently to cause fines agglomeration. Because HDPE has low thermal conductivity, localized fusion during grinding produces non-uniform particle geometry and poor oven densification. Free-flowing rotomolding powders often exhibit dry-flow times below 25 s/100 g under ASTM D1895-96 and bulk densities between 0.30 g/cm³ and 0.45 g/cm³. Oven cycle temperatures between 280 °C and 320 °C are typical; peak internal air temperature should reach 190 °C to 220 °C for complete densification. Oven air flow above 2 m/s improves heat transfer uniformity. Cooling rate controls warpage: air cooling at 5 °C/min to 10 °C/min reduces shrinkage variation compared with water quench at 20 °C/min to 30 °C/min. Demold temperatures below 70 °C are often required for dimensional stability. Mold release agents based on polytetrafluoroethylene or silicone can affect paint adhesion and should be validated on the intended part geometry. Grade-specific dry-flow and bulk density for Birch Plastics HDPE 5 should be requested from the supplier, because published data for this configuration is limited.
HDPE is not hygroscopic; equilibrium moisture absorption is below 0.01% by mass at 23 °C and 50% relative humidity. Drying is generally unnecessary unless surface condensation or waterborne contamination is present. If surface moisture is observed, a desiccant bed set at 80 °C for 2 h or a heated hopper purge is adequate. Melt filtration is more relevant for regrind fractions; a screen pack of 60 mesh to 325 mesh is selected according to contaminant particle size and downstream die orifice dimensions.
Compared with post-consumer recycled blow molding resin, HDPE 5 can differ in contamination profile, molecular weight distribution, and lot-to-lot consistency. PCR HDPE often contains polypropylene caps, ethylene-vinyl alcohol barrier layers, and label residue, which raise gel content and increase die pressure variability. Proprietary washing lines and melt filters reduce those contaminants, but published batch-specific data for PCR resins remains variable. Blow molding HDPE typically has a broader molecular weight distribution to increase melt strength, whereas injection molding HDPE is narrower for higher flow. The polydispersity index of the grade is not publicly documented; size-exclusion chromatography may be used to compare lots. Environmental stress crack resistance further separates HDPE products: homopolymer and copolymer grades can span 3 h to over 1000 h under ASTM D1693-21, depending on molecular weight and comonomer distribution. In comparison with low-density polyethylene, HDPE has less short-chain branching, higher crystallinity, higher tensile modulus, and lower low-temperature impact. In comparison with polypropylene homopolymer, HDPE has lower flexural modulus and lower heat deflection temperature; HDPE heat deflection under 0.455 MPa is commonly below 90 °C, while polypropylene homopolymer can exceed 100 °C. The exact HDPE 5 lot value should be taken from the certificate of analysis.
| Property | HDPE homopolymer | LDPE | PP homopolymer | Test method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.941–0.965 g/cm³ | 0.910–0.930 g/cm³ | 0.900–0.910 g/cm³ | ASTM D1505-20 |
| Tensile yield strength | 20–32 MPa | 8–12 MPa | 30–40 MPa | ASTM D638-14 |
| Flexural modulus | 0.8–1.5 GPa | 0.2–0.5 GPa | 1.0–1.8 GPa | ISO 178:2019 |
| Heat deflection at 0.455 MPa | 60–90 °C | 40–60 °C | 90–110 °C | ASTM D648-18 |
| SPI resin identification code | 2 | 4 | 5 | ASTM D7611-20 |
Extrusion blow molding of HDPE 5 requires tooling that compensates for die swell. For HDPE, die swell ratios between 1.5 and 2.5 are common at shear rates above 100 s⁻¹. Die land length ratio is set between 10:1 and 20:1 to control pressure drop and melt relaxation. Parison sag is controlled by melt strength; HDPE with a broad molecular weight distribution resists draw-down and supports larger part diameters. Weight swell may range from 200% to 400% under typical blow molding shear. Accumulator-head machines adjust die gap during extrusion to produce a parison profile; accumulator pressure of 10 MPa to 20 MPa is common. Melt temperature at the die exit is typically 180 °C to 220 °C, and blow pressure is set between 0.6 MPa and 1.0 MPa. A mold closing pressure of 0.5 MPa to 1.5 MPa is common. The pinch line creates a flash weld; quality depends on die closing speed and melt temperature, with cold welds increasing leak risk. If the lot melt index falls below 0.3 g/10 min, single-screw torque demand increases; barrier screws with L/D 24:1 to 36:1 are preferred. Published grade-specific data for Birch Plastics HDPE 5 is limited.
Sheet extrusion of HDPE 5 on a single-screw extruder with L/D 30:1 to 36:1 and a 40/60/100 mesh screen pack commonly produces die pressures between 15 MPa and 35 MPa depending on output. If die pressure exceeds 40 MPa, melt temperature can exceed 240 °C, promoting oxidation and gel formation. The antioxidant package must be verified against the supplier certificate. Cast roll stack temperatures are maintained at 20 °C to 60 °C; for sheet thickness near 2 mm, roll surface temperature uniformity of ±1 °C is required to avoid gauge variation. Roll gaps are set 0.05–0.10 mm below targeted sheet thickness. Air knife pressure between 0.1 MPa and 0.3 MPa forces the melt into the roll nip; static pinning may be necessary at line speeds above 15 m/min. Draw resonance can appear at takeoff speeds above 20 m/min when melt strength is insufficient. Curl is measured by placing a 300 mm square sample on a flat granite plate and recording edge lift. Published data for this specific configuration is limited.
HDPE pipe extrusion with a grooved feed extruder uses profile barrel temperatures from 180 °C to 230 °C and a spiral mandrel die. Melt pressure at the die entry is commonly 20 MPa to 40 MPa for diameters above 110 mm. Wall thickness uniformity is controlled by centering bolts; a wall thickness variation below 2% is often required for pressure pipe. Hydrostatic design basis is evaluated under ISO 12162; product-specific pipe resin classification for Birch Plastics HDPE 5 is not assumed from general HDPE data.
Compliance documentation supplied with the lot should be reviewed before food-contact use. In the United States, olefin polymers may be covered by FDA 21 CFR 177.1520; the supplier letter should cite the applicable paragraph, typically (c) 2.1 or (c) 3.1. For European Union use, EU 10/2011 overall migration testing is required under a total migration limit of 10 mg/dm². REACH Annex XVII restrictions apply to substances of very high concern, and RoHS 2011/65/EU Annex II heavy metal limits should be verified by XRF or ICP-OES. Oxidative induction time under ASTM D3895-19 at 200 °C should be reported on the certificate. The resin should not be processed or used with strong oxidizing acids, halogenated solvents, or prolonged UV exposure unless stabilized with carbon black or hindered amine systems.
| Standard or regulation | Relevant clause or method | Verification requirement |
|---|---|---|
| FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 | (c) 2.1, (c) 3.1 | Supplier food-contact letter for the specific lot |
| EU 10/2011 | Overall migration | Migration testing on finished article |
| RoHS 2011/65/EU | Annex II | XRF or ICP-OES for lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium |
| ASTM D3895-19 | OIT at 200 °C | Certificate of analysis |
| ASTM D7611-20 | Resin identification code | Marking as SPI code 2 |
Melt compounding of HDPE 5 with color concentrates or processing aids is performed on a twin-screw extruder with L/D 36:1 and modular screw elements. Masterbatch dilution ratios of 2 wt% to 5 wt% are typical; high-pigment carbon black may increase torque by 5% to 15%. Melt temperature at the die should not exceed 250 °C to limit chain scission and oxidative gel formation. Underwater pelletization is run with die-face cutting water temperature maintained at 40 °C to 60 °C.