Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) is an outstanding powder procured through the suspension chlorination of HDPE in the water phase. As the degree of chlorination rises, the initial crystalline HDPE gradually transforms into an amorphous elastomer. This saturated polymer material appears as a white powder, is non-toxic, odorless, and boasts excellent resistance to weather, ozone, chemicals, and aging. Its superior oil resistance, flame retardancy, and coloring properties, combined with its remarkable toughness (remaining flexible even at -30ºC), make it an exceptionally versatile material. Additionally, it integrates well with other polymers and exhibits a high decomposition temperature where HCL released can catalyze CPE's dechlorination reaction.
Chlorinated polyethylene is meticulously crafted from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) through a chlorination substitution reaction. Depending on its structure and application, CPE is classified into resin chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) and elastic type chlorinated polyethylene (CM). Beyond standalone use, thermoplastic resins can be blended seamlessly with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), ABS, and even polyurethane (PU). In the rubber industry, CPE stands out as a high-performance, premium special rubber, and can also be merged with ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), butyl rubber (IIR), nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM), and other rubbers to enhance performance.
In the late 1990s, the domestic market witnessed a surge in demand for high-performance flame retardant rubber, propelled by the booming wire and cable industry and the automotive parts manufacturing sector. This rise significantly boosted the consumption of rubber CPE. Renowned for its exceptional overall properties, rubber-type CPE is a unique synthetic rubber noted for its superior heat resistance, oxygen and ozone aging resistance, and commendable flame retardancy.
Chlorinated polyethylene resin is a cutting-edge synthetic material renowned for its outstanding properties. As an exceptional impact modifier for PVC plastics, it also emerges as a synthetic rubber of superior comprehensive performance. Its broad application spectrum includes usage in cables, wires, hoses, tapes, rubber and plastic products, sealing materials, flame-retardant transport belts, waterproof rolls, films, and various profiles. Moreover, CPE blends with polypropylene, high and low-pressure polyethylene, ABS, and other materials to enhance their flame retardancy, aging resistance, and printing performance. Structurally, CPE can be visualized as an ethylene, polyethylene, and 1.21-2 vinyl chloride random copolymer, with its molecular chain saturation and random distribution of polar chlorine atoms. Due to its remarkable physical and chemical properties, it finds extensive applications across machinery, electric power, chemical, building materials, and mining industries. Its heat resistance, ozone and weather resistance, and aging resistance outperform most rubbers, while its oil resistance surpasses that of nitrile (NBR) and neoprene (CR), and its corrosion resistance against acids, alkalis, and salts stands out. Additionally, it is non-toxic, flame-retardant, and poses no explosion risk.
Primarily employed in: wire and cable (such as coal mine cables and wires specified under UL and VDE standards), hydraulic hoses, automotive hoses, tapes, rubber plates, PVC profile pipe modifications, magnetic materials, ABS modifications, and more.