Common synthetic wicker furniture materials are PE rattan and PVC rattan. PE stands for polyethylene, and PVC is polyvinyl chloride, both of which are high-molecular polymers. In today’s furniture, 90% of wicker furniture is made of HDPE rattan which stands for high-density polyethylene, an upgraded polymer with excellent performance.
Then what is the difference between HDPE and PVC rattan?
Dive into the Material: HDPE vs PVC
Though HDPE and PVC both belong to plastic, they are different in several aspects like hardness, transparency, applications, strength, etc. The price of plastic wicker furniture varies on the type of resin. Therefore, knowing the difference between HDPE and PVC wicker can help you pick a suitable and cost-effective piece when buying outdoor wicker furniture. Let’s take a minute to learn about the difference between HDPE and PVC plastic wicker.
Definitions
PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, which is a cheap and one of the most widely used plastic materials. PVC is an amorphous material, whose form is usually a white resin or light yellow powder. Before it can come into use, it must be modified first because it cannot be used independently. Stabilizers, lubricants, auxiliary processing agents, pigments, reinforcing agents, and other additives are often added to the practical use of PVC material.HDPE is high-density polyethylene, which is a thermoplastic resin made by polymerization of ethylene. HDPE is an opaque white material with light-specific gravity. It is a thermoplastic resin with high crystallinity.
Applications
PVC material has high chemical stability and excellent electrical insulation performance. It can be used to make anti-corrosion pipes, pipe fittings, oil pipelines, centrifugal pumps, blowers, plugs, switch sockets, cables, sandals, raincoats, toys, etc. In the furniture industry, PVC can be made into various artificial leather for upholstery. In the chemical industry, PVC rigid board is widely used in the lining of various storage tanks. In the industry of building construction, PVC is used to make the corrugated board of buildings, door and window structures, wall decorations, and other building materials.High-density polyethylene is often used in the production of extrusion packaging films, woven bags, water pipes, non-load-bearing components, turnover boxes, extrusion blow molding containers, hollow products, bottles, etc. In the furniture industry, HDPE is a perfect solution for plastic wicker rattan.
Performance
PVC is a kind of rigid plastic, and the price is relatively cheap. Because PVC has chlorine, it will release chlorine gas when heated, and will chemically react with water in the air to produce hydrogen chloride gas, which is toxic to the human body.HDPE is a typical thermoplastic, which is an odorless, tasteless, and non-toxic flammable white powder. With good chemical stability, it only contains two elements of hydrocarbon, which are hygienic and non-toxic.
HDPE Wicker Rattan Is Better
Compared to PVC wicker, HDPE wicker provides higher strength, which makes it more durable when it is used for outdoor furniture. Besides, when it comes to weather-resistant performance, HDPE wicker is even better. It can withstand temperature fluctuation and other weather elements like rain, wind, and even snow, so it can be left outside all year round without any problems. What's more, HDPE wicker is extra moisture resistant. It can effectively prevent mildew from growing, without doing harm to humans. Last but not least, the wicker rattan made from HDPE has a more natural and exquisite look than PVC wicker. Thus, HDPE wicker rattan is increasingly popular in the industry of outdoor furniture.
How to Tell HDPE Wicker and PVC Wicker?
1. The surface of HDPE wicker is higher-grade, tougher, smoother, and more delicate, while PVC wicker whose surface is rough and thorny.2. The rate of elongation of HDPE rattan is 500%-1000%, while that of PVC rattan is 250%-350%.
3. Lighting PVC rattan will produce an unpleasant smell, but HDPE rattan will not.
