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?
Send it through. You'll hear back from someone on the shop floor within 24 hours.