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PE rattan, also known as polyethylene rattan, plastic rattan, synthetic rattan, faux rattan, or artificial rattan, is a man-made material mainly used in outdoor furniture, such as outdoor loungers, benches, sofa sets, dining sets, etc.
On the market of outdoor furniture material, PE rattan is also called PE wicker. Actually, rattan and wicker are used interchangeably by most people as they think rattan and wicker are the same thing. However, they are not. Rattan stands for the material that used for weaving furniture, while wicker refers to a weaving style or a weaving method.
PE rattan is characterized by a realistic appearance of natural rattan but with better durability and affordability. Unlike natural rattan, PE rattan material can particularly withstand many harsh outdoor elements like rains, snow, UV light, heat, moisture, and so on. Thus, PE rattan can be left outside all year round without worries. That makes it an ideal alternative to natural rattan and one of the most popular outdoor furniture materials on the market.
What Is PE Rattan Made of?
Synthetic rattan can be divided into several types including PE, PVC, and PU rattan. In particular, PE rattan is the best synthetic rattan. As PE rattan’s subordinate name suggests, it is primarily made of plastic, mostly HDPE (High-density Polyethylene), with a series of additive materials including pigments, antioxidants, anti-UV agents, light stabilizers, etc.
Why Is PE Rattan Better Than PU and PVC Rattan?
PE, PU, and PVC belong to plastic rattan and they are good at withstanding weather conditions. However, PE rattan is always the best option for it is made with high strength and great flexibility. Compared to PU and PVC rattan, PE rattan features a more exquisite look that lifts the outdoor furniture. Besides, PE rattan has a longer service life than PU and PVC rattan but with a lower price. That is why PE rattan is one of the most hot-selling outdoor furniture materials on the market.
How Is PE Rattan Made?
As the biggest PE rattan manufacturer and supplier in China, we are eligible to introduce you everything about the manufacturing process of PE rattan material. During the production process, the first step is to mix well all required materials which then will be put into the extrusion machine for the high-temperature extrusion. The extruding speed is related to the size of the PE rattan. Normally, the larger and thicker the rattan is, the lower the speed will be.
When the formed PE rattan comes out, it will be directly delivered to the cooling bath for cooling. Subsequently, specific patterns will be made on the surface of the semi-finished PE rattan by the embossing machine. Lastly, the finished PE rattan will be rolled and packed properly. The conventional rattan like flat and half round rattan is directly rolled by machines. But the twisted rattan like seagrass rattan requires to be rolled manually with twisting machines by workers.
The Process of Secondary Molding of PE Rattan
Particularly, PE rattan strips are molded TWICE during the production.
5. The soft semi-finished rattan is guided form the finished rattan strip in order or disorder in the cooling bath.
The Benefit of the Secondary Molding in the Production of PE Rattan
When the rattan strip is not completely hardened and shaped, the secondary molding is used to shape it and extrude it into a rattan strip with an irregular cross-section, so as to increase its spatial thickness and make its surface irregular and full of three-dimensional sense. This can add the irregularity characteristic of the appearance of natural rattan to the PE rattan.
What Are the Types of PE Rattan?
PE rattan can be divided into 4 main types- Flat, Half Moon, Round, and Sea Grass. At Leisuretouch-rattan, you can find all kinds of PE rattan that you want for your projects.
Flat PE rattan is the most common type of PE rattan, widely used in most outdoor furniture weaving. Meanwhile, flat PE rattan is the easiest material for outdoor weaving. It is usually 6-10mm wide, 1.3-1.4mm thick, and the thickness should not be less than 1.2mm.
Half moon PE rattan is also called half round rattan, characterized by a cambered cross section. Compared to flat PE rattan, half moon gives better texture and stereospecificity.
Round PE rattan falls into 2 types – solid and hollow. As its name suggests, round PE rattan is a round strips for outdoor furniture weaving. Compared to flat and half moon PE rattan, round PE rattan offers higher bearing capacity and strength, making it ideal for weaving some large outdoor furniture.
Seagrass PE rattan, as the name implies, is a PE rattan that looks like seagrass. This kind of PE rattan is relatively softer than other 3 types of PE rattan, normally used for weaving basket and other decoration products.
Recommended PE Rattan For Your Outdoor Furniture
Benefits of Using PE Rattan For Outdoor Furniture
Serving as a common kind of outdoor weaving material, PE rattan gives numerous advantages.
Exquisite Appearance
Waterproof
PE rattan is made with a non-porous structure so it is 100% waterproof, which enables PE rattan furniture to withstand long-term moisture without any worries. Because of this, PE rattan is in great resistance to mold and mildew, defending your health.
Weatherproof
PE rattan is a weatherproof material that is good at resisting various weather elements like UV light, rains, snow, etc. It can be exposed to outdoor conditions for a very long time without any problems. PE rattan won’t easily fade and Thus, any furniture made from PE rattan can be left outside throughout the year without getting damage.
Wide Range of Application
PE rattan material can be used to weave many different products. In particular, our PE rattan is widely used for weaving outdoor furniture like chairs, tables, sofa sets, dining sets, daybeds, etc. What’s more, PE seagrass rattan material can be used to weave various craft products like mats, storage bins, baskets, etc.
Durable
HDPE’s high strength makes PE rattan quite durable, enabling the material o withstand heavy outdoor wear for some years. Furniture made from high-quality PE rattan can last up to 8-10 years.
Low Maintenance
PE rattan is easy-cleaning and maintenance-friendly, which saves your time and effort during daily use. PE rattan is 100% washable with water, you can flush it directly to removing the stain and dust. Regularly wiping with a damp cloth is also sufficient to keep PE rattan furniture looking fresh.
Ecological & Non-toxic
Plastic rattan is mainly made of recycled polymer material, without causing harm to the environment. Besides, plastic rattan material is 100% non-toxic, and it won’t have a bad impact on the human body.
Inexpensive
Compared to other natural outdoor furniture materials, PE rattan offers better durability and less fragility. In particular, it has a relatively lower price to help you save costs in furniture production.
Diverse & Customizable
As a man-made material, PE rattan gives you a wide variety of design options: various colors, patterns, thickness, shapes, etc. Moreover, customers can have custom PE rattan based on their specific requirements.
Comfortable Touch
Compared to other outdoor furniture material like stainless steel or aluminum, PE rattan can remain cool to the touch in hot weather and warm to the touch in cold weather, so it is a excellent furniture material that can be left outside all year round.
Applications of PE Rattan
PE rattan is a versatile material, widely used in many different outdoor furniture like outdoor sofa sets, outdoor tables, outdoor chairs, outdoor daybeds, outdoor dining sets, etc. Besides, sthe softer PE rattan material like seagrass rattan can be used for weaving various crafts like baskets, containers, storage boxes, flower pot covers, etc.
How to Clean and Maintain the PE Rattan Weave on the Furniture?
PE rattan is easy-cleaning and requires very low maintenance. For regular cleaning, you just need to use a cloth with soapy water to wipe off the suface of the PE rattan, which can make the furniture look fresh again. If there are some stubborn stains on the weave, you can softly brush the stained areas with a toothbrush. Please note that never use abrasive cleaner as it will hurt the PE rattan weave. For areas with extremely hot or cold weather, it is a must for you to add a UV-resistant cover to the furniture, in order to prevent the PE rattan weave from being damaged.
Buy Durable PE Rattan: We Are Your Best Supplier
We Leisure Touch is a leading manufacturer of outdoor furniture materials with more than 25 years of experience. We provide all kinds of PE rattan material, plastic wood, and plastic accessories for your furniture manufacturing business. In addition, we also have an outdoor restaurant furniture brand called Coets. Products include dining sets, bar tables and stools, sun loungers, outdoor sofas, and more.
For more information about our products and services, welcome to contact us at info@leisuretouch-rattan.com.
