Terms and Definitions Important in Polyethylene Fabrication

Thermoplastic Polyethylene is a thermoplastic which can be softened or melted into a molten, viscous phase in which the structure of the material is unchanged during the heating process. On cooling, the molten phase returns to a solid state and the cycle may be repeated, making polyethylene an excellent material to be recycled. 

Molecular The molecular weight distribution of a particular grade of poly- 

Viscoelasticity Viscoelasticity is a property characteristic of all plastics. Plastics have both sohd state properties such as elasticity, strength and shape retention and hquid properties such as flow, which is dependent on variables such as temperature and load. Materials that demonstrate both viscous and elastic behavior imder an applied stress are designated as viscoelastic. 

Viscosity Viscosity is the resistance to steady flow shown within the body of 

Non- A decrease in apparent viscosity of a hquid with an increase in 

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