HDPE.
The toughest workhorse in industrial plastic, welded to tanks, ducting, bunding and marine fenders.
Welded daily for industrial fabrication.
HDPE, high-density polyethylene, is the toughest workhorse in industrial plastic. Chemical-resistant, UV-stable, food-grade in the right grade, weldable, machinable, and absolutely standard for tanks, bunding, ducting, scrubbers, marine fenders and food-processing fit-outs.
Tough, semi-crystalline thermoplastic with excellent chemical resistance, low moisture absorption, good impact strength and a slightly waxy surface. Density ~0.95 g/cm³ (floats in water). Service temperature -50°C to +80°C. Highly weldable by hot-gas and extrusion. Not bondable by solvent, must be welded or mechanically fastened.
When you need chemical resistance, impact toughness and weldability in the same material, HDPE is usually the answer. UV-stable grades stand up to outdoor exposure for decades, it's why every chemical tank and bunding wall in Australian industry is HDPE or PP.
The specs at a glance.
Common applications .
Chemical tanks, bunding walls, scrubbers and ducting are daily work. Mining slurry pipework and marine fenders too. UV-stable grades for outdoor exposure last decades.
Food-grade HDPE for processing-plant fit-outs, hoppers and food-contact tanks. We supply documentation for FDA-grade material on request.
- Chemical storage tanks and bunding
- Industrial ductwork and ventilation
- Scrubber and chemical processing systems
- Mining slurry and waste-water pipework
- Marine fenders and bumpers
- Food-processing hoppers and tanks
- Cutting boards and food-contact surfaces
- Cable trays and industrial racking
From sheet to finished part .
CNC routing for cut-to-size and machined parts, hot-gas and extrusion welding for tanks, ducting and bunding. Our welders are credentialled and we provide pressure-test documentation for compliance work.
Stocked natural (off-white), black, food-grade and UV-stable HDPE in 3 to 100 mm sheet. Standard sheet 2440 × 1220 mm and 3000 × 1500 mm. Heavier-gauge for tank work brought in to order. Off-cuts available, talk to the trade counter.
Keep exploring .
Common questions about HDPE.
Yes, excellent resistance to most acids, bases and solvents at room temperature. It's the standard for chemical storage tanks and bunding. Specific chemistry combinations have specific compatibility tables, send your chemical brief and we'll specify the right grade.
Not effectively, HDPE has a low-energy surface that resists almost all adhesives. Joins are made by hot-gas welding, extrusion welding or mechanical fastening. See our plastic welding service.
Standard grades are food-contact safe; FDA-compliant grades are available with documentation for food-processing applications. Cutting boards, food hoppers and dairy fit-outs are common HDPE applications.
Question not answered? Send us a message or call (02) 9632 5466.
Got a drawing, a sketch, or just an idea?
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