Engineering English
Polyethylene
Materials Engineering · Chemical Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A thermoplastic polymer made from the monomer ethylene, widely used in packaging films, bottles, and pipes due to its flexibility and chemical resistance.
Example in context
“The water pipe system uses high-density polyethylene for its corrosion resistance and long service life.”
“Su boru sistemi, korozyon direnci ve uzun ömrü nedeniyle yüksek yoğunluklu polietilen kullanır.”
Where engineers use it
Polyethylene is specified by material engineers for piping, packaging, and insulation. Engineers select the appropriate density grade based on mechanical requirements and environmental exposure.
Synonyms: Polythene, Polyethene
In Chemical Engineering
Polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer made by polymerizing ethylene monomers, widely used in packaging, containers, and piping due to its durability and flexibility.
“The polyethylene pellets were melted and extruded into films for plastic bags.”
Practice: can you use “Polyethylene” at work?
A junior engineer must select a material for a chemical storage tank. The tank will contain dilute acids at moderate temperatures. Recommend polyethylene and justify.
Show a model answer
“We recommend using polyethylene for its excellent chemical resistance and low cost.”
“Polyethylene” in 21 languages
| English | Polyethylene |
|---|---|
| Turkish | Polietilen |
| French | Polyéthylène |
| German | Polyethylen |
| Spanish | Polietileno |
| Chinese | 聚乙烯 |
| Arabic | بولي إيثيلين |
| Portuguese | Polietileno |
| Russian | Полиэтилен |
| Japanese | ポリエチレン |
| Italian | Polietilene |
| Vietnamese | Polyethylene |
| Hindi | पॉलीइथिलीन |
| Thai | โพลิเอทิลีน |
| Indonesian | Polietilena |
| Korean | 폴리에틸렌 |
| Bengali | পলিইথিলিন |
| Dutch | Polyetheen |
| Swedish | Polyeten |
| Finnish | Polyeteeni |
| Ukrainian | Поліетилен |
Frequently asked questions
What does Polyethylene mean in engineering?
A thermoplastic polymer made from the monomer ethylene, widely used in packaging films, bottles, and pipes due to its flexibility and chemical resistance. In Materials Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Polyethylene?
Polyethylene is pronounced /pɑliˈɛθəlin/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Polyethylene used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The water pipe system uses high-density polyethylene for its corrosion resistance and long service life.”
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