Plastic sheeting can contain one of many different types of plastic. At JR Plastics, we aim to help you learn more about plastic sheeting. Understanding the various plastics used in sheeting will allow you to make informed purchasing decisions. Read on to find out about the types of plastic in plastic sheeting.
What is Plastic Sheeting?
Before we discuss the types of plastic it can contain, let’s define plastic sheeting. Plastic sheeting is a continuous piece of plastic material used across a wide variety of industries. Thicker than plastic film, plastic sheeting offers increased strength for applications that require durability like water tanks and outdoor furniture.
Plastic sheets supply a wide range of applications across industries. They are used in construction, manufacturing, shipping, transportation, and more. The product’s physical properties like thickness, size, and type of plastic determine which sheeting will be ideal for a certain application.
Types of Plastic in Plastic Sheets
Plastic sheeting can include a wide range of plastics. Here are some of the types of plastic that it might contain:
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
- Acrylic
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
At JR Plastics, we offer four different kinds of plastic sheeting that contain two different plastics: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP). Our Marine Board includes HDPE designed for environments with constant exposure to water. We provide a standard HDPE sheet as well as a recycled HDPE slip sheet. Lastly, we manufacture copolymer PP sheet.
Defining Types of Plastic
Polyethylene: PE is a thermoplastic and the most common plastic used in innumerable industries. It comes in multiple forms including High-Density and Low-Density. HDPE can be found in products like bottles and jugs, recycling bins, and furniture. LDPE is often present in products like plastic bags and disposable packaging.
Acrylic: Acrylic is a transparent thermoplastic that is commonly referred to as plexiglass. It can be found in optical products like lenses, indoor and outdoor signs, and skylights.
Polypropylene: PP is a thermoplastic and the second most produced synthetic plastic. Manufacturers use PP to make items such as food packaging, automotive parts, and medical devices.
Polyvinyl Chloride: PVC is a thermoplastic and the third most common plastic. PVC can be found in construction materials, store displays, and piping.
Polycarbonate: PC is a transparent thermoplastic used to create products like greenhouses, CDs, and safety glasses.
Choosing the Best Type of Plastic
When selecting sheeting, it is important to consider which plastic will work best for your application. The type of plastic used to manufacture sheeting impacts its characteristics and performance. While researching, keep these factors in mind: the conditions of the intended application, strength, budget, fabricability and machinability, chemical and UV resistance, arc resistance, and the desired physical properties of the sheeting (size, thickness, weight).
Do you want assistance in determining which type of plastic is ideal for you? Ask the experts. Our JR Plastics team is happy to answer any questions about plastics and plastic sheeting. Submit a contact request, and we can find the best solution for your application.