Why Is Polyethylene An Ideal Material for Ocean-going Vessels And Terminals?

Polyethylene materials have shown significant advantages in the application of ocean-going ships and docks, mainly in the following aspects：

Corrosion resistance and environmental erosion resistance

Polymer polyethylene materials have strong chemical corrosion resistance and can resist erosion by seawater, salt spray, oil pollution and acid-base media. For example, the use of polyethylene pipes (such as UHMWPE pipes) instead of metal pipes in ship piping systems can effectively avoid leakage problems caused by seawater corrosion and extend service life. The dock fender veneer panel maintains stable performance for a long time in the marine environment through the UV resistance and aging resistance of UHMWPE(PE1000) sheets.

Lightweight and high mechanical strength

The density of UHMWPE(PE1000) material is only 1/8 of that of steel, which can significantly reduce the weight of the ship itself, improve fuel efficiency and ship cargo capacity. At the same time, its impact strength is 10 times that of nylon material and 8 times that of polytetrafluoroethylene material. It is suitable for ship anti-collision parts (such as UHMWPE fenders) and dock structures, and can absorb the impact energy when the ship is berthing, reducing the maintenance cost of the dock.

Low maintenance and long life

The self-lubrication and wear resistance of high molecular polyethylene materials effectively reduce the wear of mechanical parts (such as bearings and gears), and no frequent lubrication and maintenance are required. For example, UHMWPE fender panels can reduce the loss caused by friction in dock applications, and the service life is 2-3 times that of metal materials. In addition, its non-adhesive property reduces the risk of pipeline blockage and ensures long-term stable operation of the system.

Eco-Friendly‌ and versatility

Polyethylene materials are non-toxic, recyclable, and meet environmental protection requirements. They are suitable for ship drinking water systems and marine ecological sensitive areas. In terms of functional expansion, polyethylene can be processed into complex shapes through injection molding, welding and other processes to meet the needs of various scenarios such as ship pipelines, cabin partitions, and deck coverings.

In short, polyethylene engineering plastics have become an irreplaceable key material in modern ship and terminal engineering with their comprehensive performance advantages, promoting the industry to continue to develop in the direction of lightweight and environmental protection.