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Today, the competition in various markets has caused most manufacturers and buyers to seek the best option in terms of quality and price in their business. If you are one of those people who doesn’t have much information about plastic pallets and pallet boxes, then it’s best to join us in this article.
Given the wide variety of pallets and the fact that pallets can be made from different materials, choosing better one seems a bit difficult, so you need to select the best pallet for distributing your products. Here, we will describe different types of materials that make up pallets and explore the potential advantages and disadvantages of each. After reading this article, you will figure out what type of pallet is best for your business and you will get the answer to the question “Why are not all plastic pallets made the same?” We’ll walk you through the ins and outs of plastic pallets, and you’ll have the information you need before you buy your next pallet.
The vast majority of plastic pallets are made from HDPE (high density polyethylene) and PP (polypropylene) and recycled HDPE and PP. It is very important to distinguish between virgin and recycled raw materials. When plastic enters the recycling process, it is subjected to heat and pressure. To liquefy plastic for molding and pressing, it is necessary for the liquid to get an acceptable and stable form. Applying heat and pressure stresses the molecular structure of the plastic, and the greater the heat and pressure, the weaker the molecular structure becomes.
New plastics are typically more durable at the molecular level than recycled varieties and perform better when designed and processed correctly.
Which raw materials should be used for pallets?
The main advantage of recycled plastics is that these materials are cheaper, so pallets produced with recycled, or so-called second-grade materials cost less. Therefore, if you are looking for cheap plastic pallets, those made from recycled and second-grade materials are generally a more competitive option. But it is also important to notice that pallets made from recycled materials are usually more fragile and vulnerable than their premium counterparts and will not be cost-effective in long-term use. If your pallets come into direct contact with food, or if high performance is required, we recommend 100% new, food-grade materials. However, recycled materials offer you a more economical and environmentally friendly alternative.
Types of materials used to make plastic pallets can be divided as follows:
- Polyethylene (PE)
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- Polypropylene (PP)
(All of these polymers are thermoplastic polyolefins (PO).
- Recycled plastic
Polyethylene (PE)
Polyethylene is essentially a thermoplastic. The characteristic of thermoplastics is that they are resistant to chemicals and because of their high resistance, their usage is also high. Even though thermoplastics absorb a lot of heat, they do not undergo chemical changes. In terms of chemical resistance of low-density polyethylene, we can mention its resistance to various acidic diluents and basic solvents. But it has very poor resistance to degradable chemicals, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and oxidants.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a thermoplastic polymer made from petroleum. As one of the most versatile plastic materials, HDPE plastic is used in a wide range of applications including plastic bottles, milk bottles, shampoo, bleach bottles, plumbing, and etc. Known for its outstanding tensile strength and high strength-to-density ratio, HDPE plastic has high strength and melting point.
One of the main advantages of this plastic over other ones is its inherent malleability. Due to its high melting point, HDPE maintains its solid state up to very high temperatures. However, once it reaches its melting point, it can be quickly and efficiently molded for use in a variety of products such as detergent bottles, milk bottles, food storage containers, corrosion-resistant pipes, and plastic barrels.
HDPE also has high resistance to mold and rotting. It is adaptable to the climate of different regions. It can be sterilized with boiling water, making it ideal for food, beverage, and pharmaceutical applications. In addition, HDPE can withstand most strong mineral acids and bases and has excellent resistance to natural chemicals in soil. This material is practically impervious to most chemicals such as water, solvents, acids, detergents, and cleaning fluids.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or PETE is a general-purpose thermoplastic polymer that belongs to the polyester family. Polyester resins are known for their good mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties along with their excellent dimensional stability, and that’s why polyethylene terephthalate (PET) also benefits from these properties.
PET is a recyclable thermoplastic that can be made into fibers, fabrics, packaging sheets, etc. This material is naturally very flexible, colorless, and semi-crystalline. Depending on the production process, it can be produced in a semi-hard or hard state. As mentioned, PET has good dimensional stability and high impact resistance. Polyethylene terephthalate is also resistant to moisture, alcohol, and chemical solvents.
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene is one of the most used and basic polymers in the world. Like the previous cases, it is also a thermoplastic which is used in a wide range including blow molding, injection molding, food packaging, textile, laboratory equipment, pipes, industrial and construction applications and car parts. Besides, the polymer produced from propylene monomer is usually resistant to chemical solutions, bases and acids. It is the characteristic of this polymer.
More to this, the commercialized PP has various properties which has caused its widespread use, especially in plastic and fiber industry. One of the most significant features of this material compared to polymers such as polyamides is the lack of moisture absorption, which makes it a suitable option for many applications. The properties of this material can be improved by some subsequent modifications.
Recycled plastic
As mentioned in the above category, these materials are made of certain polyolefins (PO), which are the most widely used type of plastic. Recycled plastic have a low price, but they have a shorter lifespan too. Moreover, they are good and economical choice for the situations that you use pallets only for one-way shipping.
In the end, if you are interested in selecting the best option for your unique needs, you are invited to contact our professional team today!
Contact to Persian Sanat consulting team and tell us about your business and needs. Then, we will guide you towards choosing the best pallet options. Persian Industry looks forward to providing guidance to you, our dear ones.
Persian Sanat Baharestan
