--- title: HDPE vs LLDPE vs LDPE description: Learn the difference between the various polyethylene sheeting liners when someone specifies HDPE over LDPE, or LLDPE over MDPE? Thickness, flexibility... --- - [Privacy Notice](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/privacy-notice?hsLang=en-us) | - [Shipping & Returns](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/shipping-and-returns?hsLang=en-us)   [![Global Plastic Sheeting, Plastic Sheeting Specialist](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/hs-fs/file-2336161311-png/images/logo-mobile.png)](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/?hsLang=en-us) ![side_img37](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/hs-fs/file-2350449328-png/images/side_img37.png) ![side_img37](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/hs-fs/file-2350449328-png/images/side_img37.png) Click to call from your cell: [+17605979298](tel:+17605979298) # HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE- What's the difference anyway? ## LDPE, HDPE AND LLDPE- What are the differences? ### Flexibility and Thickness What  is the difference between the various polyethylene sheeting liners when someone specifies HDPE over LDPE, or LLDPE over MDPE for example? In the simplest terms, each liner will vary by its thickness and its flexibility.  The main difference between the different types of plastic is the way their cellular structure, or molecules bond with each other, and how tightly they are formed. ![HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE- What's the difference anyway?](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HDPE%2c%20LDPE%2c%20LLDPE-%20Whats%20the%20difference%20anyway-jpg.jpeg?width=495&height=207&name=HDPE%2c%20LDPE%2c%20LLDPE-%20Whats%20the%20difference%20anyway-jpg.jpeg)       [![Tap For Pricing & Info (619) 448-4439](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/32796/919f3d0d-5f01-4efc-b326-229bacaacbbf.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/32796/919f3d0d-5f01-4efc-b326-229bacaacbbf) When do you use HDPE versus LLDPE?  [![HDPE LLDPE APPLICATION CHART](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/32796/df561b09-6aed-436c-b1b7-94920c0bcc91.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/32796/df561b09-6aed-436c-b1b7-94920c0bcc91) ### **Which is the most flexible of them all?** **Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)** is the most flexible of the plastic sheeting films. [LLDPE](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/brawler-industrial-liners-frac-tank-liners-ag-solutions?hsLang=en-us) is blended form of LDPE where the film has much more flexibility, tensile strength, and more conformability. It is more pliable and softer. LLDPE is used for pond liners or blended into other films to give them more flexibility and extra strength. LLDPE is used for films that need a tremendous amount of strength to absorb impacts while not tearing or puncturing. An example of this is a [carpet plastic film](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/polyethylene-film--sheeting-surface-protection/?hsLang=en-us) that adheres to the carpet. It is strong enough to withstand foot traffic, even from stiletto high heels! The molecules all line up and strongly hold together as the film is stretched. The most common thickness range is from 0.5 mil to 40 mil in flexible plastic sheeting. ### **Which is the most common of them all?** **Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)** is the most common type of plastic sheeting. It is very flexible, most often from 0.5 mil thick to about 40 mil in flexible sheeting forms. Due to its flexibility is conforms well to a variety of surfaces. The downside is that this LDPE is not as strong or dense as some other types of plastic sheeting. It is not nearly as puncture resistant either. LDPE is used quite widely in construction, agriculture, surface protection applications, covers of all sorts, tarps and much more. ### **Which is least commonly used of them all?** **Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE)** is the least commonly used form of polyethylene for flexible plastic sheeting. Its positive attributes is that it is stronger than LDPE and has a little more chemical resistant. It has a tighter cell structure making it more tear and puncture resistant. When [pond liners ](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/rufco-2000b-3000b-4000b/?hsLang=en-us)are manufactured they are often made with MDPE and blended with LDPE or LLDPE to achieve a strong yet flexible pond liner. ### **Which is the toughest of them all?** **High Density Polyethylene (HDPE, aka HD),** has the distinction of being the strongest, toughest, most chemical resistant and least flexible of the four types of flexible plastic sheeting referenced in this article. **HDPE is also the most UV resistant-** holding up to the harsh rays of the sun without needing UV additive packages. HDPE’s strength comes from its tight cell structure that makes it very difficult for other molecules to pass through its structure on a microscopic level. When applications call for very large liners such as pond liners, HDPE is the most easily seamed or “sewn” together. Used industrially, the thickness range from 12 mils to100 mil thick. HDPE is used as secondary containment liners for oil tanks, and most industrial ponds and canal liners where [chemical resistance](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/xr-5-geomembranes/?hsLang=en-us) is needed. In conclusion, who is the fairest of them all?  That all depends on your application!  Gratefully there are many more types of plastic sheeting products to do all sort of thing to protect the surface or project it is intended for.  Take a look around our website, and you will see some of the choices available to you.  We haven't listed all our products- there's just too many. [Click here to visit our home page](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/?hsLang=en-us) and a listing of our products, and/or call (619) 448-4439 to share your thoughts. ## What specifically is the difference between LLDPE and LDPE? LDPE is a what's called a "homopolymer".  A homopolymer is a polymer that is formed of the same repeating momoners.  Therefore LDPE is a homopolymer made of ethylene monomers. It's cousin, LLDPE is a copolymer made of ethylene and another longer olefin. Because of this, LLDPE is improved giving it improved tensile strength and resistance of harsh environments. ### [Watch a short video to learn more about HDPE, MDPE, LLDPE and LDPE Here](https://youtu.be/R8HwUKrs_L8)   | Polymer | Flexibility | Color | Impact Strength | Chemical resistance | Water Vapor barrier | Gas Barrier | Stress Crack | Impact Resistance | Density | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | HDPE | Flexible but more rigid than LDPE | Natural color is milky white, semi-translucent depending on density | Good | Good | Good | Poor | Good |   | 0.963 | | LDPE | Very Flexible |  natural milky color, translucent | High | Good | Good | Poor | Good | Good |  0.910–0.940 g/cm3 | | LLDPE | Very Flexible | natural milky color, translucent | High | Good | Good | Poor | Good | Good | 0.93 | | Polypropylene | Rigid  for containers | Opaque, natural grayish yellow in natural form. |   | Good | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Excellent | 0.905 g/cm3 | | Polyvinyl Chloride- PVC | Flexible to Rigid | Transparent to yellowish color in natural state | Low | Good | Good |   | Some |   | 1.35 -1.45 | | MDPE | Good | Translucent | Good | Excellent |   | Poor | Average | Good | 0.926-0.940 [g](http://www.ask.com/wiki/Gram?qsrc=3044)/[cm3](http://www.ask.com/wiki/Cubic_centimetre?qsrc=3044) | [![Resource page for Plastic Sheeting, Greenhouse Plastic, Fire Retardant Products, HDPE- LLDPE, Tapes 760 597 9298 Global plastic sheeting](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/32796/940f93a5-d754-4ad8-a7c1-f3c10def1138.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/32796/940f93a5-d754-4ad8-a7c1-f3c10def1138) [![](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/32796/interactive-161513923687.png) ](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKn1nFp9EPDElK43Yjx5bHcXfbnzTq%2BpPCtQf3YuVrYorK%2FUq5HRUxtuT4fYUNlBdqKJEnVLknyJAj%2Fhl05yJc0On5I5IOyeBUk3py%2BV5ONQECE52AHD0gMY5mhrq%2Ba3Ua50TsKE88swnoLauJSzW5P&webInteractiveContentId=161513923687&portalId=32796&hsLang=en-us)   [![Search for Fire Retardant films, tapes, greenhouse plastic](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/32796/5b9abe45-9e95-46a7-a36c-422a095c4829.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/32796/5b9abe45-9e95-46a7-a36c-422a095c4829)    ###  Have a quick HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE Question? Ask away below. 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