As per our Shipping and Returns Policy, custom cuts and fabricated parts are non-returnable. If you need an over- or undersized item, note it under "Comments" during Checkout. Cut-to-size orders have an acceptable cut tolerance of 1/8" (0.125"), so clarify if the adjustment is to be made on the (+) or (-) side of the saw blade.Please review our full return and shipping policy here.
Measure Twice, Cut Once
Since custom cuts and fabricated parts are non-refundable, be very careful while measuring your dimensions. As each cut is nominal, even the slightest miscalculation could be costly.
How to Use a Measuring Tape
Extend your tape measure several inches to find the 1 and 2 inch markers. In between the inch markers you’ll find 16 equally spaced tick marks.
Measure by counting the increments beyond the nearest inch. As the increments decrease, so does the length of the mark. For example, 1/2" has a bigger mark than 1/4" which has a bigger mark than 1/8". The smallest mark follows at 1/16". Please be aware that some measuring tapes may have even smaller increments.
Features of a Measuring Tape: Sliding End Hook
The sliding end hook is designed for two different types of measurements. An outside measurement (where the hook of the tape hangs over an edge), requires the hook to slide out a bit to account for the thickness of the material. When making an inside measurement (where the hook will push up against a surface), the clip slides in, again, accounting for its thickness. The measuring tape self-adjusts to guarantee an accurate measurement (as far as the tape is concerned).
Sanitizing Acrylic and Polycarbonate Sheet [X]
Acrylic and Polycarbonate Sneeze Guards and like products require special care while cleaning and disinfecting. To maintain the optical clarity of sneeze guards and other acrylic or polycarbonate items, use an acrylic or polycarbonate safe cleaner like Novus Plastic Polish #1, Brillianize Plastic Cleaner, or a mild soap solution.
Please reference the following compatible cleaners when DISINFECTING acrylic and polycarbonate items. The use of commonly available commercial alcohol or ammonia-based disinfectants may cause crazing and damage.
Flexible, Lightweight LDPE Sheet for Thermoformed Parts
Natural LDPE sheet is a translucent white, low-density polyethylene material with flexibility, toughness, chemical resistance, and minimal moisture absorption that is more flexible than higher density grades of polyethylene.
This softer sheet can be drape formed, vacuum formed, machined, and fabricated into flexible liners, formed covers, impact pads, trays, and selected orthotic and prosthetic components.
Natural LDPE sheet's advantages lie in its flexibility, formability, and low-density performance. Choose natural LDPE when your application requires:
High Flexibility:
Bends and conforms more readily than HDPE, supporting formed parts and components that require controlled movement.
Low Moisture Absorption:
Absorbs little water, making it useful for parts exposed to wet or humid conditions.
Impact Toughness:
Offers good impact resistance for pads, flexible guards, and protective formed components.
Chemical and Corrosion Resistance:
Resists many chemicals at room temperature and does not rust.
Food-Handling Compliance:
Meets food-handling guidelines and is commonly used in food-handling applications.
LDPE vs. HDPE: What's the Difference?
Both materials are polyethylene, but their different densities and stiffness levels suit different applications.
Choose LDPE (This Sheet) when a softer, more flexible polyethylene sheet suits the part. LDPE is easier to bend and is less rigid than HDPE.
Choose HDPE when the design requires greater stiffness or dimensional stability. HDPE is a better choice for rigid tanks, panels, cutting surfaces, and fabricated components.
Fabrication & Thermoforming
Natural LDPE can be cut, drilled, routed with standard woodworking tools and drape formed or vacuum formed using suitable thermoforming equipment. This material is soft and flexible - support the workpiece and use sharp tooling to reduce deflection, heat buildup, and edge burring. Allow for thermal expansion and validate dimensions when the finished part requires close tolerances.
Watch: What is LDPE?
Handling: Cut sheets may have sharp edges. We recommend wearing protective gloves when unpacking and handling this material to ensure safety.
Suitability: We take pride in the quality of our materials as they leave our facility. However, because every project is unique, we cannot account for how materials are modified, stored, or used after delivery. Please perform the necessary tests to ensure this material is right for your specific application and end-use conditions.
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Technical Performance
Natural LDPE is a flexible, low-density polyolefin intended for formed and fabricated components that do not require high rigidity. It exhibits low water absorption, good impact response, and a comparatively low flexural modulus.
Flexibility:
A comparatively low flexural modulus allows the sheet to bend and conform more readily than HDPE.
Impact Toughness:
Offers good impact resistance and is rated "No Break" in Izod notched impact testing.
Lightweight:
Low density of 0.92 g/cm3 helps reduce finished-part weight.
Key Properties
Low Moisture Absorption:
Absorbs very little water, helping maintain performance in wet and humid environments.
Soft and Flexible:
A lower flexural modulus than HDPE allows LDPE bend and conform more easily than higher-density polyethylene grades.
Chemical Resistance:
Resists many acids, alkalis, and common chemicals at room temperature, excluding strong oxidizing agents.
Food-Handling Compliance:
Meets food-handling guidelines for applicable uses. Request current grade-specific documentation when regulatory compliance is required.
Common Industrial Applications
Orthotic and Prosthetic Components: Grade- and application-dependent drape-formed or vacuum-formed braces, supports, liners, and non-implantable rehabilitation-device components.
Thermoformed Parts: Flexible trays, covers, enclosures, and formed components that require more pliability than HDPE.
Impact and Die Pads: Pads, cushions, flexible guards, and protective components designed to absorb impact.
Flexible Industrial Components: Liners, formed covers, cushioning pads, container components, flexible barriers, and other lightweight parts that benefit from pliability and low moisture absorption.
Engineering Limitations & Alternatives
LDPE's advantages lie in its flexibility and formability. Applications involving structural loads, elevated temperatures, extended sunlight exposure, or aggressive chemical contact may require a different material:
Structural Rigidity: LDPE has a low flexural modulus and can deform under sustained load, making it unsuitable for many structural panels, rigid fixtures, or tightly toleranced load-bearing parts. Better Alternative: For greater stiffness while retaining low moisture absorption and broad chemical resistance, consider Natural HDPE Sheet.
Elevated Temperatures: Heat can soften LDPE and reduce dimensional control, particularly under sustained load. Better Alternative: For applications requiring a substantially higher temperature range and broad chemical resistance, consider PTFE after reviewing load and creep requirements.
UV Exposure and Stress Cracking: Natural LDPE is not designed to handle prolonged outdoor exposure without UV stabilization. Ultraviolet exposure can cause weathering and a gradual loss of properties, while certain chemicals and wetting agents, including some detergents, may promote environmental stress cracking. Better Alternative: For outdoor parts requiring greater stiffness and UV stability, consider Black Pipe Grade HDPE.
