LyondellBasell Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 Polyethylene, Linear Low Density
- Product Name: LyondellBasell Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 Polyethylene, Linear Low Density
- Factroy Site: Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
- Price Inquiry: sales8@ascent-chem.com
- Manufacturer: Ascent Petrochem Holdings Co., Limited
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- LyondellBasell Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 Polyethylene, Linear Low Density is typically used in formulations when melt flow rate, density, and particle-size distribution and melt temperature, mold temperature, and cooling rate must be controlled within specific ranges.
| HS Code | 192217 |
| Density | 0.935 g/cm³ |
| Melt Flow Rate | 3.5 g/10 min at 190°C/2.16 kg |
| Tensile Strength At Yield | 17.0 MPa |
| Tensile Strength At Break | 24.0 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 700% |
| Flexural Modulus | 0.500 GPa |
| Hardness Shore D | 55 |
| Vicat Softening Point | 105 °C |
| Brittleness Temperature | -70 °C |
| Melting Point | 124 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.35 W/m·K |
| Coefficient Of Linear Thermal Expansion | 1.5e-4 1/°C |
| Specific Heat | 2.3 J/g·°C |
| Dielectric Constant | 2.3 |
| Dielectric Strength | 20 kV/mm |
| Volume Resistivity | 1e15 ohm·cm |
| Water Absorption | <0.01% |
As an accredited LyondellBasell Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 Polyethylene, Linear Low Density factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | LyondellBasell Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 Polyethylene, Linear Low Density is packaged in 25 kg sealed bags, 40 bags per pallet (1,000 kg). |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL loaded with LyondellBasell Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 LLDPE, 25 kg bags, palletized, stretch-wrapped, and secured for ocean transport. |
| Shipping | LyondellBasell Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 Polyethylene, Linear Low Density is not regulated as dangerous goods for transport (DOT, IMDG, IATA, ADR/RID). Ship in sealed original bags, octabins, or bulk containers. Protect from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. No UN number, hazard class, or packing group assigned. |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area in tightly closed original containers. Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and direct sunlight. Protect from moisture, contamination, and strong oxidizers. Store separately from incompatible materials. Maintain clean, dry conditions to prevent product spillage and preserve quality. Avoid temperature extremes that could cause softening, melting, or degradation. Follow local regulations and SDS recommendations. |
| Shelf Life | Stable for 24 months when stored in original unopened packaging in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. |
Three-layer coextruded frozen food lamination lines running a 250 mm annular die at a 1.2 mm die gap and 2.8:1 blow-up ratio incorporate Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 in the core layer at 25–40 wt%, with 55–70 wt% low-density polyethylene and 5–10 wt% white masterbatch. The LLDPE phase raises dart drop measured under ASTM D1709-16a method A from a typical all-LDPE control of 90 g to 140–180 g at 65 µm total thickness, while the frost line is held 600–900 mm above the die face. Melt temperature at the adapter is maintained within 205–230°C, and melt pressure before the screen changer is limited to 320 bar to avoid melt fracture and die lip deposit. Regulatory compliance is established under 21 CFR 177.1520(c)(2.2) and EU Regulation 10/2011 Annex I Table 1 with an overall migration limit of 10 mg/dm². The downstream product is a 65–90 µm frozen seafood packaging film laminated to a reverse-printed PET outer layer on a solventless laminator.
On production-scale lines, the principal bottleneck occurs when the LDPE skin layers reach melt fracture before the LLDPE core layer reaches its upper melt strength plateau. The bubble is therefore run with a dual-lip air ring at 40–60% exhaust capacity, and the haul-off speed is set to 85–120 m/min. If the white masterbatch carrier resin is an HDPE incompatible with the LLDPE phase, gel counts above 50 particles/m² become visible in dark print areas after lamination. Control of the core-layer ratio is verified by ASTM D1238-20 melt flow rate measurement and ASTM D882-18 transverse tensile elongation, with release limits of ≥400% elongation and ≥25 mN Elmendorf tear under ASTM D1922-09.
Why does 35-mesh powder morphology govern peak internal air temperature in rotational moulding?
Agricultural chemical storage tanks produced by biaxial rotation require the resin to be pulverized to a particle size distribution in which 55–75 wt% falls between 300–500 µm, 20–30 wt% between 150–300 µm, and <10 wt% below 150 µm. This is not a generic mixing requirement; coarse fractions above 500 µm retard sintering at the bubble-removal stage, while excessive fines below 150 µm oxidize rapidly at peak internal air temperature and produce pinholing on the inside wall. The formulation uses 100 phr Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 with 0.15–0.30 phr hindered amine light stabilizer, 0.05–0.10 phr phosphite antioxidant, and 0.20–0.50 phr UV masterbatch where outdoor weathering is specified. Typical oven setpoint is 280–320°C, with peak internal air temperature held at 195–210°C for 8–12 min; primary-to-secondary rotation ratio is 4:1. Cooling is staged: air to 90°C, water mist to 50°C, then forced air to demoulding at 35–40°C. Standards applicable are ASTM D1998-21, NSF/ANSI 61-2023, and food-contact 21 CFR 177.1520(c)(2.2). The terminal parts are 1000–5000 L horizontal agricultural sprayer tanks and chemical storage vessels.
| Powder fraction | Control range | Observed processing consequence |
|---|---|---|
| >500 µm | <5 wt% | Unmelted core causing inner-surface roughness and wall thinning |
| 300–500 µm | 55–75 wt% | Primary sintering bed; densification plateau |
| 150–300 µm | 20–30 wt% | Fills interstitial voids without excess oxidation |
| <150 µm | <10 wt% | Accelerated oxidative gel; pinhole risk |
Batch-to-batch variance in powder morphology from disc mills without closed-loop control remains a known cause of corner thinning in cube-shaped tools. On a 2.5 m shuttle machine, clamp force is not the critical limit; instead, the limiting factor is oven air velocity at the mould surface, which must remain 12–18 m/s during the sintering plateau. If peak internal air temperature exceeds 210°C for more than 4 min, degradation of the hindered amine stabilizer accelerates, and the inner surface develops a brittle, oxidized layer detectable by ASTM D3895-19 oxidative induction time reduction of more than 40% relative to the virgin powder.
A 1.5 mm flat-die LLDPE geomembrane for heap leach containment is compounded from 94–97 wt% Icorene 3546 ORE 3234, 2.0–3.0 wt% carbon black masterbatch meeting ASTM D1603-14 carbon black content requirements, and 0.5–1.0 wt% antioxidant package. The carbon black addition is not a colourant; it limits ultraviolet degradation of tie chains in exposed textured sheet. Melt temperature at the coat-hanger die is controlled at 215–240°C, with roll stack temperature at 70–90°C for embossing. Sheet thickness is checked under ASTM D5199-12, tensile elongation to break under ASTM D6693-20, and carbon black dispersion under ASTM D5596. The principal compliance document is GRI-GM17, supplemented by EPA Subtitle D landfill design criteria and REACH Annex XVII restrictions for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in extended contact. Field installation uses hot wedge welding at 380–420°C seam temperature with a 0.5–1.0 m/min travel speed. The terminal product is a primary containment geomembrane for landfill cell liners, irrigation canal liners, and mining heap leach pads.
At carbon black addition above 3.0 wt%, the melt-viscosity rise at 190°C measured under ISO 1133-1:2022 becomes sufficient to shift die pressure by 15–20 bar on the same extruder, and weld peel separation at the sheet edge can initiate at ≤40 N/50 mm. Published data for the specific grade in this configuration is limited; plant trials at each flat-die width are therefore required to establish the exact carbon black masterbatch carrier resin compatibility and the corresponding die pressure window before release for field welding.
When extrusion coating of 14-mesh woven polypropylene requires neck-in below 45 mm at 200 m/min
When woven polypropylene sacks are extrusion coated at line speeds above 180 m/min, Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 is let down at 80–90 wt% and blended with 10–20 wt% LDPE to delay neck-in and improve adhesion to the oxidized PP web through polar carbonyl formation. The melt temperature is set at 285–315°C, not for viscosity reduction alone but to achieve sufficient web adhesion at an air gap of 150–250 mm. Coating weight is maintained at 18–30 g/m²; below 18 g/m², pinholing along the woven rib pattern becomes detectable by dyne testing at ≥40 mN/m. Compliance for dry food packaging is 21 CFR 177.1520(c)(2.2) and EU Regulation 10/2011 with migration testing under EN 1186-1. The process runs on a 90 mm single-screw extruder with L/D 30:1, slot die internal deckle width 1800 mm, and chilled roll at 15–20°C. The terminal product is a coated outer ply for 25 kg pet food and mineral-based fertilizer sacks.
The processing window for neck-in is narrow: reducing the LDPE component below 10 wt% increases neck-in to ≥55 mm, which forces edge trim losses above 8%, while raising the LDPE component above 20 wt% lowers heat-seal initiation temperature by 8–12°C and can produce blocking on the chill roll side. Line operators therefore monitor chill roll idle roll tension and coat-back adhesion using a peel test referenced to ASTM D903-98, with release adhesion set at ≥2.5 N/15 mm for printed PP fabric.
Flexible pail lid tooling is specified with a single cold gate of 0.8–1.2 mm land length, and the material is run at 100 wt% Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 with 0.5–1.0 wt% erucamide slip masterbatch and 0.05–0.15 wt% antioxidant masterbatch. Melt temperature is held at 190–220°C, injection pressure at 90–130 MPa, mould temperature at 15–30°C, and clamp force at 5.0–7.5 kN/cm² of projected area. The gate freeze-off time is 0.5–1.0 s; shorter hold times cause sink marks around the tamper-evident rim. Tensile yield after moulding is tested under ASTM D638-22 as a release criterion. Food-contact requirements are 21 CFR 177.1520(c)(2.2) and EU Regulation 10/2011. The terminal products are flexible over-caps and snap-on lids for 10–25 L pails used in non-sterile industrial and food-ingredient packaging, provided the closure engages with an HDPE pail flange of matching rigidity.
Slit-tape orientation and fibrillation in polyethylene artificial turf thatch fibre
Artificial turf thatch fibre production from polyethylene slit tape differs from monofilament spinning in that the extrudate is water-quenched as a cast film at 200–230°C, slit into tapes, then oriented in hot air at 110–125°C at a draw ratio of 6:1–9:1. The compound is 100 phr Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 with 1.5–3.0 phr UV masterbatch, 0.5–1.0 phr processing aid, and 0.5–2.0 phr pigment masterbatch. Post-drawing fibrillation is induced by a pinned roller; insufficient orientation below 6:1 leaves tape that resists splitting, while draw above 9:1 generates transverse microcracks that reduce tuft withdrawal force. Yarn tenacity is measured under ISO 2062:2009, and UV weathering is screened under ISO 4892-2:2021 method A. Regulatory alignment includes REACH Annex XVII Entry 50 for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in long-term skin-contact articles and EN 15330-1:2013 for synthetic outdoor sports surfaces. The terminal product is 55–75 µm thick thatch fibre for landscape and sport field systems.
Published data for this specific grade in artificial turf formulation is limited; fibre producers have historically selected resins by melt flow rate and dart impact, and Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 requires pilot line verification at the target draw ratio. The most common failure mode on production equipment is fibrillation needle wear caused by insufficient processing aid dispersion, observed as a drop in split uniformity after 4–6 h of continuous running. Operators compensate by raising barrel temperature from 210°C to 225°C, but this narrows the orientation plateau and can shift the fibrillation point to the pinned roller entry.
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- LyondellBasell Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 Polyethylene, Linear Low Density is manufactured under an ISO 9001 quality system and complies with relevant regulatory requirements.
- COA, SDS/MSDS, and related certificates are available upon request. For certificate requests or inquiries, contact: sales8@ascent-chem.com.
What Distinguishes ORE 3234 from Pelletized LLDPE Used in Screw-Driven Processes?
Pelletized LLDPE grades used in injection moulding, extrusion, or blow moulding are processed with high mechanical shear, fast heat transfer, and short residence times. Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 is neither pelletized nor intended for screw-driven melt systems in its supplied form. The powder is rotary-moulding ready, meaning the polymer enters the mould as discrete particles at ambient temperature. In this process, melt coalescence occurs at low or near-zero shear, and the main control variables are oven air temperature, cycle time, mould rotation ratio, and peak internal air temperature. The absence of screw-induced mixing means that additive distribution is fixed by the polymerisation and pulverisation steps; there is no secondary compounding to correct local stabiliser or pigment concentration.Compared with pelletized LLDPE, the powder has a lower poured bulk density, typically in the 0.42–0.50 g/cm³ range for ground LLDPE rotomoulding powders, depending on particle geometry and sieve distribution. This value must not be confused with the polymer density of 0.934 g/cm³. Low bulk density influences hopper filling, box loading, and the apparent volume charged into the mould. At high relative humidity, surface moisture on the powder can exceed the equilibrium moisture content of the polymer and create steam-induced voids during heating. When storage is unheated or outdoor in humid climates, pre-drying at 60 °C for 2 h may be required; however, factory-scale practice should be validated by trial because powder beds can retain moisture unevenly.
Another distinction is melt index position. Injection-moulding LLDPE often uses higher melt flow rates to fill thin walls under pressure. The 5.5 g/10 min melt flow rate of Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 balances early powder sinter with sufficient zero-shear melt strength during long oven residence. In screw-driven processes the same value would be considered moderate, but in rotational moulding it reduces the risk of excessive sagging in vertical walls and improves sidewall consistency in parts with deep draw ratios.
Thermal Sintering, Bubble Removal, and Cooling Rate Boundaries
During the heating phase of rotational moulding, oven air temperatures commonly range from 260 °C to 300 °C, while the mould surface and internal air temperature lag substantially because of the heat capacity of the steel or aluminium shell. The powder layer begins to sinter when the mould wall approaches the melting range of LLDPE. Icorene 3546 ORE 3234, with its 0.934 g/cm³ density and 5.5 g/10 min melt flow rate, permits a practical peak internal air temperature window. Industrial practice for similar LLDPE rotomoulding powders typically rests between 190 °C and 210 °C, depending on wall thickness, oven residence, and the extent of bubble removal required. Exceeding this window accelerates thermo-oxidative degradation and can embrittle the inner surface.
Bubble removal is governed not only by temperature but by time at temperature, local melt viscosity, and internal pressure. Because rotational moulding is unpressurised, trapped gas bubbles must dissolve or migrate to the melt surface before solidification. Under no internal pressure, higher melt flow lowers viscosity and shortens the time needed for bubble dissolution, but it can also reduce melt strength and promote thinning in tall sections. Moulders should establish a peak internal air temperature by iterative trials using thin panels at 3 mm nominal thickness, inspecting for pin-holes and microbubbles under 10× magnification. If bubble counts remain unacceptable at the upper PIAT boundary, the defect is often caused by surface moisture rather than insufficient temperature.
On a four-station carousel with a 2.0 m swing arm, moulds are commonly rotated at a 4:1 primary-to-secondary speed ratio. The exact ratio should be set to prevent powder pooling in corners and to maintain uniform residence on each face. For thick parts, increasing oven temperature without extending soak can degrade the outer layer before the inner powder has fully coalesced.
Cooling imposes the next processing boundary. Rapid cooling with forced air or water mist shortens cycle time but increases thermal gradients between the outer mould surface and the inner air space. These gradients can produce warpage, differential shrinkage, and a coarse spherulitic skin in thicker sections. Slow cooling reduces warpage but may lower impact resistance if excessive time is spent in the crystallisation range. For Icorene 3546 ORE 3234, production-scale cooling should be controlled using internal air temperature as the primary feedback. The transition from forced air to ambient cooling at approximately 80–90 °C internal temperature is often used in industrial practice, but published data for this specific grade is limited; trial cooling curves should be generated for each mould geometry.
Thermo-oxidative stabilisation is intended for standard rotomoulding cycles. Extended oven residence above 210 °C PIAT or the use of high-temperature mould release agents can shift the degradation onset. Operators should avoid mould release compounds that introduce unsaturated or reactive carriers because these can alter surface colour and reduce environmental stress crack resistance.
Because rotomoulded parts are not quiescent castings, published mechanical property values are typically generated from rotomoulded or compression-moulded plaques rather than injection-moulded specimens. The following typical values are representative; lot certification and the specific sample preparation method control the actual compliance envelope.| Property | Typical Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.934 g/cm³ | ISO 1183-1 / ASTM D1505 |
| Melt flow rate | 5.5 g/10 min | ISO 1133-1 / ASTM D1238 |
| Tensile yield stress | 18 MPa | ISO 527-2 / ASTM D638 |
| Tensile elongation at break | > 600% | ISO 527-2 / ASTM D638 |
| Flexural modulus | 650 MPa | ISO 178 / ASTM D790 |
| Vicat softening point | 118 °C | ISO 306 / ASTM D1525 |
| Brittleness temperature | < -70 °C | ASTM D746 |
| Environmental stress crack resistance | > 500 h | ASTM D1693, 10% Igepal |
| Shore D hardness | 58 | ISO 868 / ASTM D2240 |
The combination of moderate flexural modulus near 650 MPa with elongation at break above 600% explains why the grade is specified for tanks that must absorb impact during handling and installation. The ASTM D1693 environmental stress crack resistance value above 500 h under 10% Igepal is more relevant for chemical storage than tensile data alone, because service failures in polyethylene tanks often initiate at stress concentrations from fittings, weld lines, or surface scratches. Low-temperature brittleness below -70 °C supports use in cold-climate outdoor parts, but this property must be confirmed on the final wall thickness and not assumed from thin specimens.
The property envelope differs from that of a pelletized film grade with the same density because rotomoulding powders spend much longer in the melt state without orientation. The tensile yield value of 18 MPa is lower than many HDPE grades, while elongation and ESCR are higher. Designers should therefore avoid applying injection-moulding mechanical data to rotomoulded parts and should request rotomoulded plaque data when possible.
When 3546 ORE 3234 Is Selected for Chemical Storage and Agricultural Tanks
Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 is used in tanks for potable water, agricultural chemicals, and industrial liquids when the density and melt flow of the grade align with the required wall thickness and impact resistance. The material is rotomoulded into closed hollow parts with uniform wall sections, often incorporating moulded-in inserts, baffles, and threaded fittings. For such parts, design stress should be derived from creep and ESCR data rather than short-term tensile strength, because polyethylene exhibits time-dependent deformation under continuous hoop stress. Welded or mechanically fastened fittings introduce stress concentrations; their geometry and tightening torque should be controlled to preserve the ASTM D1693 ESCR performance of the base polymer.
Chemical compatibility is class-dependent. LLDPE generally resists dilute acids, alkalis, and many polar aqueous solutions at ambient temperature. Non-polar hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, and strong oxidising media can permeate, swell, or embrittle the polymer; continuous contact with such liquids requires immersion testing according to the service temperature and stress. For potable water contact, the grade may be assessed under FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 for olefin polymers, provided that the final part, pigment, and any internal liners meet the overall migration limits. European users should verify REACH registration and, where applicable, food-contact declarations rather than relying on a single datasheet value.
The natural powder form is not a UV-stabilised product. Outdoor exposure without an appropriate UV stabiliser package or carbon black concentrate leads to surface chalking and loss of impact. If the final component is intended for multi-year exterior service, the moulding specification should include a UV-stabilised variant or the addition of a compatible masterbatch at the prescribed let-down ratio, verified by accelerated weathering under ISO 4892-2 or ASTM G154.
In contrast to higher-density polyethylene rotomoulding grades with density near 0.945–0.955 g/cm³, the 0.934 g/cm³ density of Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 yields lower flexural modulus and surface hardness but improved stress-crack resistance and low-temperature toughness. The trade-off is structural: a tank of equal wall thickness produced from this grade may exhibit greater creep deflection under sustained head pressure than an HDPE equivalent, so the designer must compensate by wall thickening or ribbing. The lower density also reduces part mass by approximately the density ratio when wall thickness is constant.Relative to higher-melt-flow LLDPE rotomoulding powders in the 8–10 g/10 min range, the 5.5 g/10 min melt flow rate of 3546 ORE 3234 increases melt strength during the later heating period and can improve sidewall uniformity in deep-draw parts. The same property may extend the time required for complete bubble removal in very thick sections. For parts above 8 mm nominal wall, cycle development should evaluate both a lower PIAT with longer soak and a higher PIAT with shorter soak to determine the best balance between voids, impact, and colour.
Metallocene-catalysed LLDPE rotomoulding powders can offer narrower comonomer distribution and lower sealing temperatures, but published comparative data for this specific configuration is limited. In general, conventional LLDPE grades such as Icorene 3546 ORE 3234 tolerate broader processing windows and are less likely to exhibit warp from rapid crystallisation, though they may have lower dart impact than a metallocene grade at equal density. The selection between these classes should be made using rotomoulded plaques tested under the final part thickness and impact conditions, not by density and melt index alone.
With Increasing Part Thickness and Multi-Layer Mould Configurations
When part thickness exceeds 6 mm, the conduction-limited heating profile changes. The inner surface reaches PIAT later than the outer skin, and the residual thermal gradient can produce a density gradient through the wall. For Icorene 3546 ORE 3234, processors should segment the heating cycle and monitor internal air temperature with a thermocouple positioned through the vent. Increasing oven temperature to accelerate cycle time, without extending soak, can degrade the outer layer before the inner powder has fully coalesced. Multi-layer rotational moulding with a foamed core or recycled LLDPE layer is used for thermal insulation or material cost reduction; the outer skin of this grade remains processable under standard conditions, but layer adhesion and gas evolution from the core must be controlled because trapped foam gas can create delamination or surface pinholes.
Shrinkage and mould release also vary with part thickness. Thick sections shrink more on the inner surface during slow cooling and can contract onto internal cores, requiring mechanical ejection or collapsible inserts. The use of mould release agents should be validated for compatibility with the part’s chemical service; silicone-based release can interfere with post-mould welding and painting. Because published data for thick-section configurations of this specific grade is limited, lot-level trials remain the authoritative method for establishing cooling curves, shrinkage factors, and release behaviour.
