Overview
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is a thermoplastic polymer renowned for its electrical insulation properties, making it indispensable in the electrical and electronics industries. Its branched molecular structure contributes to flexibility and low crystallinity, which enhance dielectric performance. LDPE exhibits high volume resistivity (10¹⁶–10¹⁸ Ω·cm) and dielectric strength (18–28 kV/mm), outperforming many engineering plastics. As a non-polar material, LDPE maintains stable electrical properties across a wide frequency range (50 Hz–1 MHz), with a low dielectric constant (2.2–2.4) and dissipation factor (<0.0002). These characteristics, combined with moisture resistance and processability, position LDPE as a preferred choice for insulation in low-to-medium voltage applications.
Physical and Chemical Properties
LDPE's electrical properties stem from its hydrocarbon backbone and amorphous regions. The material demonstrates consistent insulation performance between -50°C to 80°C, with dielectric properties remaining stable up to 90% relative humidity. Its volume resistivity exceeds 10¹⁶ Ω·cm, effectively preventing current leakage. Notably, LDPE has a low dielectric loss tangent (tan δ < 0.0005 at 1 kHz), minimizing energy dissipation in alternating current applications. The polymer's surface resistivity (>10¹⁴ Ω/sq) prevents surface tracking, while its comparative tracking index (CTI) of 600V qualifies it for high-reliability applications. Thermal aging above 80°C may gradually reduce these properties.
Main Applications
Approximately 30% of LDPE production is used in electrical applications, primarily for insulating power cables up to 33 kV. Cross-linked LDPE (XLPE) versions extend this to 500 kV high-voltage cables. Other key uses include coaxial cable insulation, where LDPE's low dielectric constant ensures minimal signal loss. The material is equally vital in capacitor films, with thicknesses down to 5µm achieving high capacitance density. In electronics packaging, LDPE films (50–200µm) protect components from electrostatic discharge (ESD), displaying surface resistivity of 10¹¹–10¹³ Ω/sq. Emerging applications include 5G antenna radomes, leveraging LDPE's stable dielectric properties at high frequencies.
Safety and Storage
While LDPE is generally chemically inert, additives like antioxidants may migrate over time, affecting electrical performance. Storage should avoid direct sunlight (UV degradation) and temperatures above 40°C to prevent oxidative cross-linking. Bulk pellets require moisture-proof packaging to maintain dielectric properties. Processing safety requires ventilation when heating above 200°C due to potential hydrocarbon fume emission. Electrical-grade LDPE should not contain conductive fillers (>0.1% ash content) to preserve insulation properties. Post-industrial recycled LDPE may exhibit reduced dielectric strength (15–20 kV/mm) and should be avoided for critical insulation applications.
B2B Procurement Guide
Electrical-grade LDPE procurement should specify key parameters: dielectric strength (>20 kV/mm), volume resistivity (>10¹⁶ Ω·cm), and melt flow index (0.2–2 g/10min for cables). Premium grades may include UV stabilizers for outdoor use without compromising electrical properties. For high-frequency applications, request dielectric constant and loss tangent data at relevant frequencies (e.g., 1 MHz for RF components). Pricing tiers typically separate general-purpose (from $1.20/kg) from ultra-clean medical/electronics grades (up to $2.50/kg). Container-load purchases (20+ tons) often secure 8–12% discounts. Lead times vary from 2 weeks (standard grades) to 8 weeks (custom electrical compounds).
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：PP、PE、ABS、POM、PC、POE、EVA、德国朗盛、美国杜邦、日本宝理pom、韩国LG、奇美abs、pom900p、工程塑料、PPO、TPU、PET
- 主营：F20-03、m90-44、m90-45、埃克森ldpe、巴塞尔ldpe、韩华ldpe、PC-1100、pom100p、pom500p、pom900p、云天化pom、宝理pom、旭化成pom、杜邦pom、巴斯夫pa66、杜邦pa66、聚甲醛原料、聚丙烯pp、埃克森美孚POE、美国苏威PPSU、科思创PC、沙伯基础PC、李长荣聚丙烯、路博润TPU、日本三菱pom
- 主营：pps加纤、pbt树脂、abs塑胶、脱模pom、abs塑料、透明abs、聚丙烯、pps玻纤、阻燃abs、pp李长荣、聚乙烯pe、工程塑料、耐水解psu、PC原料、LDPE原料
- 主营：POM 100P、PA66杜邦系列、POM 500P 杜邦、绝缘ldpe、PC 2805科思创、PA66旭化成、沙比克pmmap20mh、Hips、PMMA、PMMA 20HR、Tpu、Pa46、Pa66、Hdpe、Ldpe、Poe、Eva、Lcp、Pbt、PP、Abs、Asa、Pctg、Para、PEEK
- 主营：POM、PA66、PC、绝缘ldpe、Pom100p、Pom500p、Pom900p、Pom100t、M90-44、F20-03、ABS747、abs757、TPU、美国杜邦pom、日本旭化成pom、日本宝理pom、ASA、COC、PEEK、PVDF、PCTG、PCTA、PA612、Pa6t、Pa9t
- 主营：pom、杜邦pom、宝理pom、绝缘ldpe、旭化成pom、巴斯夫、pom100p、聚甲醛共聚物、赛钢聚甲醛原料、pom500p、pom900p、奇美abs、浙石化、中石化、pvdf、PCTG、PARA、沙伯基础、pmma、pps、日本东丽pa66、云天化、科思创TPU、陶氏POE、埃克森美孚POE、美国苏威
- 主营：光学性能、塑胶制品
- 主营：POM美国杜邦、PA66杜邦、TPV塞拉尼斯、ldpe、PPA瑞士EMS、ABS台湾奇美、EMA韩国sk、PETG韩国sk、PC沙伯基础、COC德国TOPAS、POK韩国晓星、PA6巴斯夫、EBA西班牙雷普索尔、EVA美国杜邦、PA12瑞士EMS、TPU德国巴斯夫、PARA比利时索尔维、PPO沙伯基础、PPS日本东丽、PPSU索尔维、PES美国索尔维、PSU索尔维、PCTG美国伊士曼、HDPE利安德巴塞尔、PMMA韩国LG、pcabs台化
- 主营：ABS、PC、POM、绝缘ldpe、TPU、PP、LCP、PBT、PMMA、Pom100p、Pom900p、Pom500p、M90-44、F20-03、ABS747、ABS757、PEEK、PVDF、PPSU、PPA、PARA、PCTG、PA9T、Pa12、COC
- 主营：镜片料、聚苯砜、聚丙烯、绝缘ldpe、聚甲醛、PA66、PA6、PPS、PBT、POM100p、Pom500p、Pom900p、M90-44、F20-03、pa9t、TPU、PPSU、PEEK、PVDF、PPA、PMMA、HIPS、LDPE、HDPE、赛刚pom
- 主营：tpu、Eva、Pom、Lldpe、Pa66、Lcp、Pa6t、Pa9t、Pa6、Poe、Hdpe、Ldpe、Pc、Hips、Pbt、Pctg、Pc/abs、Abs、pp、Ppsu、Pps、Para、Tpee、Pa612、Pa12
- 主营：绝缘ldpe、POM
- 主营：改性基料、工程塑料、ABS、光学性能、POM、LCP、PC
- 主营：光纤料、聚乙烯、聚合物、绝缘ldpe、耐热级pc、生物基pc、微波炉碗、显示屏料、聚碳酸酯、电子元件料、瓦楞板专用料、平板电脑外壳、手机屏幕盖板、汽车灯罩专用料
- 主营：电绝缘、英力士、瑞士ems、绝缘ldpe、耐酸碱、66-玻纤、聚丙烯、抗静电、均聚物、原厂原包、抗冲共聚、阻燃防火、无规共聚、薄壁零件、薄壁配件、抗紫外线、电器组件、埃克森美孚、巴西布拉格、apel-apl5514ml-coc、apel-coc-apl5514ml