Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) is derived from the suspension chlorination of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in the water phase. As the chlorination degree rises, HDPE's original crystalline structure transitions into an amorphous elastomer. CPE appears as a white, non-toxic, tasteless powder and boasts exceptional weather, ozone, chemical, and aging resistance. Its properties include robust oil resistance, flame retardancy, and excellent coloring capabilities. With remarkable toughness (remaining flexible at -30ºC), CPE possesses superb compatibility with various polymer materials, features a high decomposition temperature, and releases HCL upon decomposition, which can catalyze its dechlorination reaction.
Chlorinated polyethylene is a versatile polymer material synthesized through the chlorination substitution of HDPE. Depending on its structure and usage, CPE is classified into resin chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) and elastic type chlorinated polyethylene (CM). Beyond its standalone applications, thermoplastic CPE can be blended with PVC, PE, PP, PS, ABS, and even PU. In the rubber industry, CPE functions as a high-performance, premium special rubber, and can be blended with EPR, IIR, NBR, and CSM for enhanced capabilities.
Since the late 1990s, the domestic need for high-performance flame-retardant rubber has surged, notably due to the growth of the wire and cable sector and the auto parts manufacturing industry. This demand has substantially driven the consumption of rubber CPE. As a special synthetic rubber, rubber-type CPE offers outstanding properties, including heat resistance, ozone aging resistance, and superior flame retardancy.
Chlorinated polyethylene resin is a state-of-the-art synthetic material renowned for its excellent properties. It serves as an outstanding impact modifier for PVC plastics and as a synthetic rubber with impressive overall performance. CPE's diverse applications span cables, wires, hoses, tapes, rubber and plastic products, sealing materials, flame-retardant transport belts, waterproof rolls, films, and various profiles. When blended with polypropylene, high and low-pressure polyethylene, and ABS, CPE enhances the flame retardancy, aging resistance, and printability of these plastics. Encompassing an ethylene, polyethylene, and vinyl chloride random copolymer structure with saturate molecular chains and randomly distributed polar chlorine atoms, CPE's remarkable physical and chemical attributes make it indispensable in machinery, electric power, chemical, building materials, and mining industries. Its heat, ozone, and weather resistance, combined with superior aging resistance and oil resistance, outshine many other rubbers, while its corrosion resistance to acids, alkalis, and salts, along with its non-toxic and flame-retardant nature, ensures safe usage without explosion risks.
CPE is primarily applied in wire and cable manufacturing (including coal mine cables and wires conforming to UL and VDE standards), hydraulic hoses, automotive hoses, tapes, rubber sheets, PVC profile pipe modifications, and magnetic materials, as well as ABS modifications.