Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) is an innovative powder product derived from the suspension chlorination of HDPE in the water phase. As the degree of chlorination increases, the crystalline structure of HDPE transforms into an amorphous elastomer. This saturated polymer material presents as a white, non-toxic, and odorless powder, boasting exceptional weather, ozone, chemical, and aging resistance. It also offers superior oil resistance, flame retardancy, and colorability. With remarkable toughness that remains flexible even at -30ºC, CPE demonstrates excellent compatibility with other polymer materials. It features a high decomposition temperature, releasing HCL upon decomposition, which can catalyze its own dechlorination reaction.
Chlorinated polyethylene is crafted through the chlorination substitution reaction of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Depending on its structure and application, CPE can be classified into resin chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) and elastic type chlorinated polyethylene (CM). Beyond solo usage, thermoplastic resins can be blended with a variety of materials including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), ABS, and even polyurethane (PU). In the rubber industry, CPE serves as a high-performance, high-quality special rubber, and can be blended with ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), butyl rubber (IIR), nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM), among others.
Since the late 1990s, the domestic demand for high-performance flame-retardant rubber has been on the rise, particularly driven by advancements in the wire and cable industry, as well as the automotive parts manufacturing sector. Rubber type CPE is a unique synthetic rubber offering comprehensive properties, including excellent heat resistance to oxygen and ozone aging, alongside robust flame retardancy.
Chlorinated polyethylene resin is a groundbreaking synthetic material that boasts a series of exceptional properties. As an extraordinary impact modifier for PVC plastic, it also functions as a synthetic rubber with superior overall performance. Its extensive range of applications includes cables, wires, hoses, tapes, rubber and plastic products, sealing materials, flame-retardant transport belts, waterproof rolls, films, and various profiles. Additionally, CPE can be blended with polypropylene, high and low-pressure polyethylene, and ABS to enhance the flame retardancy, aging resistance, and printing performance of these plastics. As a random copolymer of ethylene, polyethylene, and 1.21-2 vinyl chloride, CPE's saturated molecular chain and randomly distributed polar chlorine atoms endow it with outstanding physical and chemical properties. It's extensively utilized across machinery, electric power, chemical, building materials, and mining industries. Compared to most rubbers, CPE offers superior heat, ozone, and weather resistance, as well as aging resistance, oil resistance better than nitrile (NBR) and neoprene (CR), and better aging resistance than chlorosulfonated vinyl chloride (CSM). It also features excellent acid, alkali, and salt corrosion properties, is non-toxic, flame retardant, and poses no explosion risk.
Main Applications: CPE is predominantly utilized in wire and cable manufacturing (including coal mine cables and UL and VDE standard wires), hydraulic hoses, automotive hoses, tapes, rubber plates, PVC profile pipe modification, and magnetic materials. It is also key in ABS modification and other diverse applications.