What Is CAS:9002-88-4 (Polyethylene) and How Is It Used?

22, Sep. 2026

 

What Is CAS:9002-88-4 (Polyethylene) and How Is It Used?

CAS:9002-88-4 refers to polyethylene, a thermoplastic polymer made from ethylene monomers. I use this CAS number as a broad chemical identity for polyethylene, but it does not identify one specific grade, molecular weight, density, additive package, or processing method. Polyethylene is widely used because it combines low moisture absorption, chemical resistance, processability, and a useful balance of toughness and flexibility. For B2B purchasing, the correct polyethylene grade must be selected according to the final product, processing equipment, regulatory needs, and required performance.

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What Is CAS:9002-88-4?

Polyethylene is a polymer with a carbon-and-hydrogen backbone produced through the polymerization of ethylene. Different polymerization methods and molecular structures create polyethylene grades with different densities, crystallinity, stiffness, impact resistance, transparency, and melt-processing behavior. CAS:9002-88-4 is therefore best treated as an identity reference for polyethylene rather than a complete technical specification.

In commercial supply, polyethylene may be provided as pellets, powder, granules, or formulated compounds. Common categories include low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. Each category can serve a different purpose, so I recommend reviewing the technical data sheet and intended application before placing a bulk order.

Core Characteristics and Functions of Polyethylene

Moisture Resistance and Chemical Resistance

Polyethylene has very low water absorption compared with many engineering plastics, which supports its use in packaging, liners, tanks, and moisture-sensitive environments. It also resists many common acids, alkalis, salts, and aqueous chemicals, although compatibility depends on concentration, temperature, exposure time, and mechanical stress. I do not recommend treating polyethylene as universally resistant because strong oxidizing chemicals and elevated temperatures can change its performance.

Balance of Flexibility, Toughness, and Stiffness

Low-density grades are generally more flexible and are often selected for films, flexible packaging, and coatings. High-density grades generally provide greater stiffness and strength for containers, pipes, sheets, and industrial components. Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene is considered when wear resistance and low friction are more important than easy melt processing.

Thermoplastic Processing

As a thermoplastic, polyethylene can be softened by heat and shaped through processes such as extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, rotational molding, and film production. Processing conditions vary by grade and equipment, so the supplier’s recommended temperature window should be followed rather than relying only on the CAS number. Additives, colorants, fillers, and recycled content can further affect processing behavior.

Common Applications of CAS:9002-88-4 Polyethylene

Polyethylene is used across packaging, construction, agriculture, consumer products, chemical handling, and industrial manufacturing. Its application range comes from the ability to tailor molecular structure and density for different performance requirements. The following examples represent common uses, not a guarantee that every polyethylene grade is suitable for each application.

  • Packaging films and bags: Flexible polyethylene films are used for bags, liners, stretch applications, protective wrapping, and agricultural films.
  • Bottles and containers: HDPE is widely considered for bottles, drums, jerry cans, and other containers requiring stiffness and resistance to many chemicals.
  • Pipes and fittings: Selected polyethylene grades are used in water, gas, drainage, and industrial piping systems when the material’s pressure, temperature, and regulatory requirements are satisfied.
  • Sheets, liners, and tanks: Polyethylene sheets and fabricated liners can help protect surfaces from moisture, abrasion, or chemical contact.
  • Electrical insulation: Polyethylene’s electrical insulating properties support wire and cable applications, subject to voltage, temperature, flame, and standards requirements.
  • Household and industrial products: Crates, pallets, closures, toys, storage products, and molded components can be produced from suitable polyethylene grades.

Types and Material Options

Low-Density Polyethylene

LDPE typically has a more branched molecular structure, which contributes to flexibility, softness, and good film-forming behavior. Typical LDPE density is approximately 0.91–0.93 g/cm3, although the exact value depends on the grade and formulation. I commonly associate LDPE with films, flexible packaging, coatings, and squeeze products.

Linear Low-Density Polyethylene

LLDPE has a more linear structure than conventional LDPE and is often selected when a film needs a useful combination of flexibility, tensile performance, and puncture resistance. Its suitability depends on the comonomer structure, molecular weight distribution, and processing method. Buyers should compare dart impact, tear strength, tensile data, and extrusion behavior instead of selecting only by the word “polyethylene.”

High-Density Polyethylene

HDPE generally provides higher stiffness and a higher density than LDPE or LLDPE. Typical HDPE density is approximately 0.94–0.97 g/cm3, but a product specification should always take priority over a general range. HDPE is frequently considered for rigid containers, piping, sheets, crates, and industrial molded parts.

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Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene

UHMWPE is designed for applications where abrasion resistance, impact resistance, and low-friction behavior are important. It may be supplied as powder, sheet, rod, or a processed component rather than as a conventional injection-molding resin. Its processing and fabrication requirements differ substantially from standard packaging or blow-molding grades.

Key Specifications Buyers Should Review

CAS:9002-88-4 alone is not enough to approve a purchase. I recommend reviewing density, melt flow rate, molecular weight information where available, tensile strength, elongation, impact performance, hardness, thermal behavior, and color. For film or molding applications, the processing method and equipment compatibility are especially important.

Specification Area Why It Matters Buyer Question
Density Influences stiffness, weight, crystallinity, and product feel. Does the density match the required flexibility or rigidity?
Melt flow rate Provides an indication of flow behavior under defined test conditions. Is it compatible with extrusion, injection, blow molding, or another process?
Thermal range Helps define processing and service limitations. What are the recommended processing and continuous-use conditions?
Additive package May affect UV resistance, slip, oxidation stability, color, or processing. Are additives permitted for the target product and market?
Compliance documentation Supports internal quality review and market-specific requirements. Can the supplier provide the required SDS, technical data, and batch documents?

Melting behavior also varies by polyethylene type and molecular structure. As a general orientation, LDPE may melt around 105–115°C, while HDPE may melt around 125–135°C; these are indicative ranges rather than guaranteed product specifications. A buyer should confirm the actual grade data before setting machine temperatures or defining service limits.

How to Select the Right Polyethylene Grade

Start With the End Use

I first identify whether the material will be used for film, injection molding, blow molding, pipe, rotational molding, coating, sheet, or wear-resistant parts. The application determines the required balance of flexibility, stiffness, impact strength, chemical resistance, transparency, and surface performance. It also determines whether a standard resin or a modified compound is more appropriate.

Match the Grade to the Processing Method

A grade that performs well in film extrusion may not be suitable for injection molding or pipe production. Melt flow rate, molecular weight distribution, cooling conditions, and equipment design all influence production stability. Trial processing with a representative sample is a prudent step when the application is new, high-volume, or technically sensitive.

Confirm Commercial and Quality Requirements

For B2B purchasing, I recommend confirming packaging format, minimum order quantity, production lead time, shelf-life guidance, batch consistency, and export documentation before approval. Buyers should also clarify whether the product is virgin, recycled, filled, colored, or additive-modified. If the material will contact food, drinking water, medical products, or regulated chemicals, the relevant compliance review must be completed for the destination market.

Supplier Support From Xinshangrui

At Xinshangrui, I support polyethylene buyers by helping connect CAS:9002-88-4 with the practical grade requirements behind the project. We can discuss the intended application, processing method, target specifications, packaging needs, and shipment destination before recommending a suitable supply option. This approach helps prevent the common mistake of ordering by CAS number alone.

Our role as a chemical reagents and materials supplier is to provide clear product information for technical and purchasing evaluation. Depending on the selected product, buyers may request the applicable technical data sheet, safety data sheet, specification details, and commercial quotation. Final suitability should be confirmed through the product documentation and, where necessary, customer-side testing.

Key Takeaways

  • CAS:9002-88-4 identifies polyethylene, but it does not define one universal commercial grade.
  • LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, and UHMWPE offer different combinations of flexibility, stiffness, toughness, flow, and wear resistance.
  • Common uses include packaging films, containers, pipes, liners, sheets, electrical insulation, and molded products.
  • Density, melt flow rate, thermal behavior, additives, documentation, and processing method should be reviewed before purchase.
  • The best next step is to provide the intended application and processing conditions so the supplier can evaluate a suitable polyethylene option.

Conclusion: Is Polyethylene Suitable for Your Project?

CAS:9002-88-4 is polyethylene, a versatile thermoplastic used in both everyday products and demanding industrial applications. Its suitability depends less on the CAS number itself and more on the specific grade, molecular structure, additives, processing method, and service environment. Polyethylene is often a strong candidate when the project requires moisture resistance, chemical resistance, low water absorption, and scalable thermoplastic processing.

For a practical evaluation, define the final product, production process, operating temperature, chemical exposure, mechanical requirements, and documentation needs. Then compare the supplier’s technical data with your internal acceptance criteria and request a sample or trial quantity where appropriate. Contact Xinshangrui with your target specifications, estimated order volume, and delivery requirements so I can help you evaluate a suitable polyethylene supply solution.

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