Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) is a marvel of modern chemistry, originating from the suspension chlorination of HDPE in a water phase. As chlorination progresses, the crystalline HDPE transforms into an amorphous elastomer. This saturated polymer material presents as a white powder, both non-toxic and tasteless, boasting superior weather resistance, ozone resistance, chemical resistance, and aging resistance. It also excels with remarkable oil resistance, flame retardance, and coloring capabilities. With notable toughness, maintaining flexibility even at -30ºC, CPE demonstrates excellent compatibility with other polymer materials and a high decomposition temperature. Upon decomposition, it releases HCL, which can subsequently catalyze the dechlorination reaction in CPE.
Chlorinated polyethylene is a versatile polymer material derived from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) via a chlorination substitution reaction. Depending on its structure and intended use, CPE can be categorized into resin chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) and elastic type chlorinated polyethylene (CM). Beyond its standalone applications, thermoplastic resins can be blended seamlessly with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), ABS, and even polyurethane (PU). Within the rubber industry, CPE shines as a high-performance, premium special rubber, providing enhanced qualities when blended with ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), butyl rubber (IIR), nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), and chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM).
During the late 1990s, a surge in domestic demand for high-performance, flame-retardant rubber was evident, fueled by the burgeoning wire, cable industry, and automotive parts manufacturing sector. This demand catalyzed the consumption of rubber-type CPE, a specialized synthetic rubber celebrated for its exceptional composite properties. This material offers robust resistance to heat, oxygen ozone aging, and outstanding flame retardancy, making it indispensable in various critical applications.
Chlorinated polyethylene resin represents a cutting-edge synthetic material characterized by a suite of exceptional properties. It serves as an outstanding impact modifier for PVC plastics and as a synthetic rubber with comprehensive performance. Its wide application spectrum includes cables, wires, hoses, tapes, rubber and plastic products, sealing materials, flame-retardant transport belts, waterproof rolls, films, and numerous profiles. Additionally, CPE can be blended with polypropylene, high and low-pressure polyethylene, ABS, etc., to significantly enhance the flame retardance, aging resistance, and printing performance of these plastics. Resembling a copolymer of ethylene, polyethylene, and 1.21-2 vinyl chloride, its molecular chain saturation and random distribution of polar chlorine atoms bestow it with superior physical and chemical properties. This makes CPE a favored choice across industries such as machinery, electric power, chemical, building materials, and mining. Its heat, ozone, and weather resistance, combined with superior oil resistance compared to nitrile (NBR) and neoprene (CR), and better aging resistance than chlorosulfonated vinyl chloride (CSM), along with its resistance to acids, alkalis, and salts, underscore its non-toxic, flame-retardant, and explosion-free nature.
The primary applications of CPE include: wire and cable (such as coal mine cables, and those adhering to UL and VDE standards), hydraulic and automotive hoses, tapes, rubber plates, PVC profile pipe modifications, magnetic materials, and ABS modifications amongst others.