LyondellBasell Icorene 3560 G RED 4518 Polyethylene, Linear Low Density
- Product Name: LyondellBasell Icorene 3560 G RED 4518 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 3560 G RED 4518 Polyethylene, Linear Low Density is typically used in formulations when melt flow rate and density and processing temperature and cooling rate must be controlled within specific ranges.
| HS Code | 259221 |
| Density | 0.935 g/cm³ |
| Melt Index | 6.0 g/10 min (190°C/2.16 kg) |
| Specific Gravity | 0.935 |
| Tensile Strength At Yield | 14.0 MPa |
| Tensile Strength At Break | 12.0 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 700% |
| Flexural Modulus | 400 MPa |
| Shore D Hardness | 50 |
| Vicat Softening Point | 100°C |
| Melting Point | 125°C |
| Processing Temperature | 190-230°C |
| Mold Temperature | 20-40°C |
| Drying Temperature | 80°C |
| Drying Time | 2-4 hr |
| Moisture Content | <0.05% |
| Linear Mold Shrinkage | 0.015-0.030 cm/cm |
| Color | Red |
| Form | Pellets |
| Material Type | Linear Low Density Polyethylene |
As an accredited LyondellBasell Icorene 3560 G RED 4518 Polyethylene, Linear Low Density factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Supplied in 25 kg multiwall bags, palletized and stretch-wrapped; 40 bags per pallet, totaling 1,000 kg. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Container loading: one 20′ FCL filled with palletized 25 kg bags of LyondellBasell Icorene 3560 G RED 4518 linear low-density polyethylene. |
| Shipping | LyondellBasell Icorene 3560 G RED 4518 Polyethylene, Linear Low Density is typically shipped as non-hazardous red LLDPE pellets in moisture-resistant 25 kg bags, octabins, or bulk trucks. Store/transport dry, ventilated, away from heat, sunlight, and ignition. Standard freight applies; no hazardous placards normally required. Follow SDS and local regulations. |
| Storage | Store LyondellBasell Icorene 3560 G RED 4518 Polyethylene, Linear Low Density, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat, sparks, flames, and oxidizers. Keep away from ignition sources. Keep containers closed and labeled. Prevent moisture, dust, and static buildup. Use grounding during handling. Avoid elevated temperatures. Store indoors, off the floor, in original packaging. Follow SDS and local rules. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is generally indefinite when stored sealed in original packaging, cool, dry, and away from direct sunlight or contaminants. |
When LyondellBasell Icorene 3560 G RED 4518 is dry-charged into a cast aluminium clamshell mold for a 1,500 L double-wall chemical storage tank, the first measurable deviation from natural LLDPE processing is the increase in exterior mold surface temperature caused by lower infrared reflectivity of the red 4518 pigment. Rotational molding lines equipped with infrared pyrometers should not use surface temperature alone to terminate the heating cycle. The nominal density of the grade, 0.935 g/cm³, and the melt flow index of 6.0 g/10 min under ASTM D1238 at 190 °C/2.16 kg, place it in a flow class where the powder bed densifies quickly but the final sintered skin can retain pinholes at pinch-off ribs if the peak internal air temperature is too low. For a nominal wall thickness of 3.5 mm, the internal air temperature should be driven to 190–205 °C and held for 2–4 min. Termination below 188 °C produces a white, powdery inner layer that is not fused to the outer skin. Sustained temperature above 210 °C for more than 5 min accelerates thermo-oxidative chain scission, particularly at the pigment-resin interface. Cooling starts with forced ambient air until the mold surface falls below 90 °C. Water mist should be introduced only after that threshold to avoid differential shrinkage on the double-wall tie bars. On carousel machines with swing radii above 3 m, the primary-to-secondary rotation ratio should be verified with a thermocouple placed inside the mold. Powder bed turnover along the large arc is slower than on shuttle machines. ASTM D1998-21 governs upright polyethylene tank systems, and AS/NZS 4766 is commonly invoked for rotational molded tanks in agricultural and industrial service. Chemical compatibility must be evaluated by ASTM D543 immersion at the intended service temperature. Continuous contact with xylene, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, or chlorinated solvents at temperatures above 40 °C falls outside the resin's operational boundary unless post-mold fluorination or sulfonation has been qualified on the finished tank. Published data for this specific red 4518 configuration in double-wall chemical service is limited. The first production lot should be sectioned at the pinch-off rib and examined for void content.
How does red 4518 pigmentation alter the weathering window in agricultural sprayer shells?
Agricultural sprayer bodies and fertilizer hoppers are processed with wall thicknesses from 4–6 mm to resist baffle-mount stress cracking and liquid pressure cycling. The red 4518 pigment does not automatically provide UV screening. An iron oxide red can raise opacity and slow surface oxidation. An organic red can leave the surface more vulnerable to chalking. No accelerated weathering claim should be transferred from a natural LLDPE grade unless the exact pigment chemistry is documented by the supplier. Weathering validation for the finished shell should run under ISO 4892-3 for at least 1,500 h and measure retained tensile elongation by ASTM D638. Agrochemical exposure is the more severe limit. Emulsifiable concentrates contain aromatic solvent carriers that sorb into the amorphous phase of the LLDPE matrix, swell the surface, and reduce low-temperature impact strength. Immersion testing per ASTM D543 at 40 °C for 30 days should show tensile property retention above 80% before the resin is used in a sprayer. Hopper shells for dry fertilizer require the same rotational molding process control as liquid tanks. Urea and potassium chloride residues are hygroscopic and can generate localized pitting at rib roots when combined with condensation. The cooling step should include a forced-air stage to 85 °C before any water mist is applied. Early mist quench on a heavily ribbed sprayer body locks in sink marks at the boss locations. A production-scale failure pattern observed on multiple shuttle lines is the under-firing of ultrasonic weld bosses. This occurs when thermocouples are placed only in the free wall. Boss wall sections need independent thermocouple mapping.
Insulated fish tubs and distribution tote shells
Double-wall insulated tubs are molded as two skins, then filled with a closed-cell polyurethane foam core. The LLDPE shell must be fully sintered before the foam exotherm begins. Residual porosity in the inner wall allows moisture to reach the foam and freeze in cold-chain service. A nominal inner wall of 3 mm is sufficient for stiffness only if the mold is indexed to avoid blowholes at the drain boss. When a two-component polyurethane system is injected, the exotherm at the polyethylene interface should not exceed 90 °C. The outer skin loses creep resistance above its softening temperature and can separate from the foam. Foam density in the range 32–40 kg/m³ with overpacking below 15% limits both cabinet distortion and weight. General-purpose red pigmented LLDPE is not automatically cleared for food contact. If incidental food contact is intended, the pigment must comply with 21 CFR 178.3297 and the polyolefin carrier with 21 CFR 177.1520. For industrial fish handling, ASTM D2990 compressive creep testing at 40 °C for 1,000 h provides a more relevant top-load assessment than short-term flexural modulus. Stacked-tote failures in distribution service usually initiate at the bottom rail corners where the wall transitions from 3 mm to 8 mm. Mold release agent accumulation at that transition increases the risk of pinhole clusters. Quaternary ammonium disinfectants are generally compatible with LLDPE at ambient temperature. Chlorine-based reclaim water above 60 °C will shorten service life.
Marine buoyancy shells molded from this grade accept closed-cell EPS or two-component polyurethane foam cores for dock floats, mooring buoys, and lift pontoons. The outer shell is typically molded at 5–8 mm wall thickness. The key process limit is cooling uniformity on cylindrical geometry. Red 4518 pigmentation increases surface heat absorption during the oven dwell, but the cylindrical mold ends heat more slowly than the mid-body. A shuttle machine with bidirectional rotation should be programmed with a verified primary-to-secondary speed ratio. A mid-cycle pause is not recommended. It causes the powder bed to settle at the mold bottom and create a thick ridge on the inside diameter. Low water absorption is a resin-level advantage. ASTM D570 values for polyethylene of this density class are typically below 0.01% after 24 h immersion. The operational weakness is not water absorption but stress cracking at stainless steel molded-in inserts. The linear thermal expansion coefficient of LLDPE near 1.2–1.5 × 10-4 m/m/°C is substantially higher than that of steel. Repeated thermal cycling from -20 °C to 40 °C can initiate cracks at sharp insert knurls. Inserts should have, at minimum, 3 mm radius root fillets and be preheated to 90 °C before mold charging. Salt-spray exposure per ASTM G154 combined with UV from ISO 4892-3 should be used to assess whether the red pigment fades or chalks. Fading alone does not indicate loss of puncture resistance. Multiaxial impact testing per ASTM D3763 at -20 °C on panels cut from the smooth mold surface and the weld line is a stricter predictor of dock-float service than conventional Izod tests.
Recreational panel skins require slower water-mist transition
Playground roof caps, slide hoods, and equipment cladding are molded with wall thicknesses between 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm. This makes the panel susceptible to blowholes at textured mold surfaces and warpage at flat edges. The red 4518 pigment can shorten the effective oven dwell because the dark surface reaches the densification temperature faster than a natural grade. The core of the powder bed may not have reached the same temperature. The water-mist transition should therefore be delayed until forced air has reduced the mold surface to below 80 °C. That threshold is lower than the value used for 6 mm chemical tanks. Edge stiffening ribs should not exceed 1.5× the nominal wall thickness. Thicker ribs increase local shrinkage difference and create visible sink lines on the cosmetic surface. Impact performance is qualified by ASTM D3763 multiaxial impact at -10 °C, using maximum load and energy-to-peak values rather than a single notched Izod number. Pigment chalking and gloss loss under ISO 4892-3 should be assessed on the textured side. Surface roughness masks early color shift. Mold release selection is critical for cosmetic panels. A fluoropolymer-free release agent must be applied at, and not above, the manufacturer's recommended film thickness. Excessive release agent reduces surface wetting and leaves a mottled appearance at the mold parting line. Structural fasteners in playground equipment are not addressed by resin-level tests. The finished shell must conform to the product-level loading requirements of EN 1176 or ASTM F1487, depending on the jurisdiction.
When underground utility enclosures replace precast concrete in high-traffic zones
Rotational molded utility vaults, meter pits, and valve boxes made from LLDPE of this density class are lighter and easier to handle than precast concrete. The lower flexural modulus relative to HDPE means that buried sidewall deflection must be checked under the governing live-load condition, typically AASHTO H-20 or H-25. Wall thicknesses below 8 mm are insufficient for shallow bury depths of 300 mm in unpaved shoulders unless the backfill is compacted crushed stone and the lid is separated from the sidewall. The resin's environmental stress crack resistance should be verified by ASTM D1693 condition B in 10% Igepal CO-630, with an F50 value suitable for long-term soil contact. Soil chemistry extremes, such as pH below 4 or above 9, do not typically attack polyethylene. Gross root penetration at gasket grooves and wire entry ports is a field failure mode independent of resin selection. Creep modulus at 40 °C under ASTM D2990 is a more appropriate design parameter than short-term tensile modulus. The utility enclosure is under sustained soil and hydrostatic load. The rotational molding process must avoid under-firing at the bottom corner where the mold is charged last. Sectioning of prototype parts after a 20% reduction in oven gas supply pressure from the specification is a robust check for sintering robustness. Published long-term deflection data for this specific pigmented configuration is limited. Buried installation should include strain gauges on the first production vaults if the bury depth is less than 1 m.
| Standard | Scope | Relevant scenario |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM D1998-21 | Polyethylene upright storage tanks | Double-wall chemical tanks |
| ASTM D543-20 | Chemical resistance evaluation | Agricultural chemical contact |
| ASTM D2990-17 | Tensile, compressive, and flexural creep | Insulated fish tubs, underground enclosures |
| ASTM D1693-15 | Environmental stress-crack resistance of ethylene plastics | Agricultural tanks, utility vaults |
| ASTM D3763-18 | High-speed puncture properties of plastics | Marine floats, recreational panels |
| ISO 4892-3:2016 | Accelerated weathering of plastics | Outdoor sprayer shells, marine floats |
| 21 CFR 177.1520 | Olefin polymer food-contact compliance | Incidental food contact verification |
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- LyondellBasell Icorene 3560 G RED 4518 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.
LyondellBasell Icorene 3560 G RED 4518 is a linear low-density polyethylene supplied as a pre-colored rotational molding powder. The base grade designation 3560 G identifies an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer with a linear backbone and short-chain branching, while RED 4518 identifies the red pigment package incorporated during compounding. The product is not pelletized for injection molding or film extrusion; it is ground to a powder for biaxial rotational molding of hollow parts. Because the material is a pre-colored LLDPE rather than a natural resin dry-blended with pigment, the distribution of color and additive packages is more homogeneous, reducing the risk of color streaking and local additive depletion during long oven residence. The powder form allows the polymer to fuse against the heated mold wall and form a smooth inner surface without screw-induced thermal history. Typical rotational molding parts produced from this material class include storage tanks, equipment housings, agricultural containers, marine fenders, and recreational structures where red coloration is required without post-molding painting. The material is normally classified under polyethylene designations for molding and extrusion, with certificate-of-analysis values for the pre-colored lot controlling density, melt flow rate, and tensile properties. Published data for the exact spectral and rheological effect of RED 4518 on the base powder is limited, so processing trials on the target machine remain necessary.
What separates this pre-colored powder from natural LLDPE pellets and dry-blended red pigment?
The primary difference is physical form. Natural LLDPE pellets are designed for screw-fed processes such as extrusion and injection molding. In rotational molding, pellets can produce uneven porosity because the large particles do not compact well in the mold cavity and may not sinter completely before the inner melt peak. The Icorene 3560 G RED 4518 powder is ground to a rotomolding particle size distribution, which permits denser packing and more uniform wall formation. Dry-blended red pigment added to natural powder in a tumble mixer can segregate during mold charging and rotation, particularly when the pigment particle size and bulk density differ from the base powder. Pre-compounded RED 4518 avoids this segregation mechanism because the pigment is dispersed into the polymer matrix before grinding.
Rheologically, the product is positioned in the low-viscosity band typical of LLDPE rotational molding grades. Melt flow rate is evaluated at 190 °C with a 2.16 kg load according to ISO 1133-1 or ASTM D1238. Rotomolding LLDPE grades in this class commonly fall between 3.0 g/10 min and 7.0 g/10 min, which provides sufficient flow to smooth the inner surface while retaining melt strength during oven rotation. Density is determined by ISO 1183-1 or ASTM D792; linear low-density grades used in rotomolding generally occupy the 0.925 g/cm³ to 0.940 g/cm³ range before colorant addition. The red pigment itself may shift the measured density upward by a small increment because inorganic and organic pigments are denser than the base polymer. Apparent density and dry flow are measured by ASTM D1895 or ISO 60. Rotomolding powders typically show bulk densities from 0.34 g/cm³ to 0.44 g/cm³, but the pre-colored lot value should be confirmed because pigment incorporation can raise bulk density and alter funnel flow.
Particle size distribution is commonly controlled by dry-sieve methods such as ASTM D1921 or ISO 4610. A fine fraction below 150 µm can improve surface finish but may increase dusting and reduce flow; a coarse fraction above 500 µm may leave unmeted particles at the inner surface if the mold does not reach the required peak internal air temperature. The pre-colored powder should therefore be checked for particle size retention after color compounding. Grinding can generate fines that reduce apparent density and affect mold fill in deep cavities. For critical parts, a sieve analysis is recorded on the certificate of analysis because the width of the particle size distribution influences bubble removal and inner-surface pinholing more directly than melt flow rate alone.
Oven Cycle Design, Peak Internal Air Temperature, and Cooling Rate Boundaries
Rotational molding of this grade is controlled by the internal air temperature rather than by a fixed oven timer. On shuttle, clamshell, and multi-arm carousel machines, oven setpoints commonly range from 280 °C to 320 °C, but the decisive variable is the peak internal air temperature inside the mold. For LLDPE rotomolding powders, a peak internal air temperature from 190 °C to 220 °C is generally sufficient to complete sintering and eliminate inter-particle voids. If the mold is removed from the oven before reaching this range, the inner surface may show pinholes, bubbles, or dull discolored patches from incomplete fusion. If the peak internal air temperature is exceeded by a wide margin, the inner surface can degrade, leading to yellowing, odor, loss of impact resistance, and carbonylation. Red-pigmented grades such as RED 4518 require specific attention because the pigment changes the absorption and emission behavior of the powder bed during the early heating stage. Published spectral absorption data for this specific configuration is limited, so infrared pyrometer readings taken on natural powder should not be transferred directly to the red grade without internal air temperature verification.
The rotational speed ratio during heating and cooling is commonly maintained at 4:1 between major and minor axes, but mold shape, parting-line placement, and cavity depth may require adjustment. In deep rectangular tanks, a ratio closer to 5:1 can reduce end-wall thinning, while spherical molds may tolerate a lower ratio. The powder should be charged to achieve the desired wall thickness, usually from 3 mm to 12 mm for LLDPE rotomolding. Wall thickness variation above ±20% on a production machine often indicates uneven charging, inadequate venting, or insufficient rotation during the cooling stage. The mold vent must remain open to allow gas exchange; blocked vents can produce internal pressure spikes that create surface porosity and dimensional warpage.
Cooling rate has a direct effect on shrinkage and warpage. Forced air cooling at moderate rates allows crystallization to develop while reducing residual stresses. Water mist or spray cooling accelerates solidification but can increase warpage in flat panels and lift edges from the mold surface. The red pigment does not eliminate shrinkage; dimensional control follows the base resin crystallization kinetics. Parts should be demolded below 70 °C to 80 °C to avoid soft distortion. If the mold surface temperature is too high at demolding, the part may shrink non-uniformly and develop sink marks at the parting line. Pre-drying of the powder is not normally required under dry storage conditions, but condensation on cold powder exposed to high humidity can introduce moisture. Powder stored at relative humidity above 60% should be conditioned in a dry area before charging because steam generated during oven heating can create pinholes and inner-surface roughness.
When the grade is compared with butene-based LLDPE, MDPE, and HDPE rotomolding powders
Compared with higher-alpha-olefin LLDPE grades based on 1-hexene or 1-octene, lower-alpha-olefin LLDPE grades may show lower environmental stress crack resistance and lower dart impact at equivalent density. The Icorene 3560 G RED 4518 should therefore be evaluated against the specific mechanical requirements of the part rather than selected solely on melt flow rate. Medium-density polyethylene rotomolding powders, with densities from 0.940 g/cm³ to 0.950 g/cm³, provide higher stiffness and better creep resistance but usually sacrifice low-temperature impact. High-density polyethylene rotomolding powders, with densities above 0.950 g/cm³, offer higher flexural modulus and better chemical resistance but may fail brittlely at low temperatures. The table below presents typical published ranges for unfilled polyethylene rotomolding classes; the actual values for 3560 G RED 4518 require the product certificate of analysis because red pigment loading can shift density, melt flow rate, and stiffness.
| Material class | Density by ISO 1183-1 | Melt flow rate by ISO 1133-1 | Flexural modulus by ISO 178 | Tensile yield strength by ISO 527-2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLDPE rotomolding powder | 0.925–0.940 g/cm³ | 3–7 g/10 min | 300–700 MPa | 10–20 MPa |
| MDPE rotomolding powder | 0.940–0.950 g/cm³ | 4–8 g/10 min | 600–900 MPa | 16–24 MPa |
| HDPE rotomolding powder | 0.950–0.965 g/cm³ | 4–9 g/10 min | 800–1200 MPa | 20–30 MPa |
Environmental stress crack resistance is measured by ASTM D1693 or ISO 22088-3. Rotomolding LLDPE grades often exhibit longer failure times than HDPE at the same wall thickness because the lower crystallinity allows more molecular relaxation at stress points. The reverse is true for creep resistance and modulus. In a load-bearing part such as a horizontal tank baffle, a shift from LLDPE to MDPE may reduce creep deflection but can increase the risk of brittle cracking around threaded inserts. The pre-colored RED 4518 variant does not inherit the full property envelope of the natural grade automatically. Pigment particles can act as stress concentrators if dispersion is poor, so tensile elongation and Charpy impact per ISO 179-1 should be confirmed on the actual colored lot. Instrumented puncture testing by ISO 6603-2 is preferred for rotational molded parts because it records multiaxial impact behavior under conditions closer to field loading than uniaxial tensile tests.
In processing terms, the grade differs from extrusion-film LLDPE by having a narrower molecular weight distribution and a powder morphology designed for long oven residence and slow sintering. Extrusion-film LLDPE resins can have lower melt strength and may generate high fines when ground, causing dusting and poor mold fill. Injection molding LLDPE grades, although similar in density, are usually pelletized and may contain mold release or nucleating packages that alter cooling and warpage. The rotomolding powder is therefore not directly interchangeable with pelletized resins of the same nominal melt index. For a rotomolder switching from a natural LLDPE powder to 3560 G RED 4518, the correct adjustment is to verify the internal air temperature profile, powder bulk density, and demolding condition rather than assuming that the same oven timer can be used without testing.
Application limits for this product class include continuous exposure to strong oxidizing acids, chlorinated solvents, and certain mineral oils that can cause environmental stress cracking. For fuel and chemical storage, compatibility must be tested under the expected operating temperature and stress level, because the red pigment does not provide chemical resistance. The base LLDPE can be considered for food-contact applications only if the specific colored grade has been evaluated under the relevant regulatory framework, such as EU 10/2011 or 21 CFR 177.1520. For potable water tanks, the grade requires confirmation to NSF/ANSI 61 or local equivalent for the red-pigmented formulation. Outdoor exposure of red rotomolded parts may produce color fade unless the formulation contains an ultraviolet stabilizer package designed for the end-use environment. Field failures on gates, seats, and tank lids are typically caused by a combination of UV exposure, low-temperature impact, and stress concentration at corners; therefore the red-pigmented grade should be selected with attention to impact and weathering data from the certificate of analysis.
