HDPE plastic is a material that has been in use since the mid-20th century. High density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic is used in a so many types of applications because of its unique physical characteristics. It is corrosion-resistant & virtually leakproof. Everything from biomedical waste containers, wire insulation, cable jacketing, and erosion barriers all are made with HDPE.
Heavy-Duty Use of HDPE
HDPE plastic earns its most critical praise for its use in industrial, mechanical, manufacturing, and commercial applications. Some of these uses include:
- Fracking
- Water Transportation/Sewage/Pipe Systems
- Chemical Containers
- Oil and Gas Storage
- Civil Earthworks/Public Works Projects
- Medical Applications
HDPE in Everyday Use & Its Green Advantages
On the non-industrial/consumer end of things, HDPE plastic finds its way into an array of items, including toys and furniture. Because of its recyclability, HDPE has begun to find a home in today’s push for greener ways to live. It has proven to be an ideal material to use at a time when all manufacturing is having to meet the demand for green initiatives & building ‘cleaner’. Even “extra” bits of HDPE left over from the manufacturing process are recycled so that nothing goes to waste. What’s more, by using materials as environmentally sound as HDPE plastic in a build, contractors are able to, in essence, initiate remediation best practices before the project even begins.
Cost-Effectiveness of HDPE
As with any product development, especially one that purports to be game-changing like HDPE plastic, issues regarding initial cost, integration into existing infrastructure, and cost of maintenance over time are top of mind. Perhaps the most notable advantage of HDPE plastic use is that it saves money on all of these fronts:
- Less labor goes into its maintenance, saving money on manpower & project timetables
- HDPE also has an estimated lifespan anywhere between 50-100 years. This longevity and durability makes for an ideal material to be used in any construction project
- HDPE has a lower weight, which makes it easier to transport, more fuel-efficient, and ideal to be moved easily & safely without specialized machinery
- HDPE plastic use offers the ability to enact expansion of existing systems in an easier way than would more traditional systems
Another critical advantage of HDPE plastic is that it can be manufactured to longer standard lengths of pipe. This means less work done to join shorter runs. This takes up time & leave more areas where a potential failure in manufacturing can occur.
Assessing the Role of HDPE For Your Next Project
Certainly, queries will about as to whether or not HDPE plastic is the way to go for a particular project. In short, it all depends on the project itself. Critical to understanding the pros and cons of HDPE plastic is a full-project assessment made by a dependable firm. The firm should be well-versed in HDPE applications for the industry in question. They should also be weigh the advantages and disadvantages of other materials that could be more effective to a project than HDPE.
Few firms can provide decades of experience, expertise across a variety of modern construction best practices, and a dedication to their client like CCI Culberson Engineering & Construction. Contact our team today to learn more about how HDPE plastic may prove to be consequential to your next project.
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