How to quickly distinguish between nylon and polyethylene
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This post was last edited by wivern on 2009-8-4 11:14. Our laboratory requested some polyethylene hoses from the company to use as heat exchange coils, but we noticed signs that the bromine used in our reactions was seeping into the cooling water. So I went to the market with another member of our purchasing team to check things out; some sellers said what we bought wasn’t polyethylene but nylon, but our purchaser insisted it was indeed polyethylene. Does anyone here have a simple way to distinguish between nylon and polyethylene? Instrumental analysis isn’t necessary – it seems our company doesn’t have such equipment……
The combustion method can be used for identification
Could you be more detailed? What are all the symptoms?
PE burns easily and continues to burn even after being removed from the fire; the plastic melts and drips, with an odor similar to that of burning paraffin. PA burns slowly and extinguishes itself gradually after being removed from the flame; the plastic melts and drips, forming bubbles, and there is a smell of burning wool or nails.
1. Polyethylene is translucent white like candles, and it’s relatively soft; nylon is slightly yellowish and harder； 2. Cut off a small piece and heat it; polyethylene has a scent similar to that of a candle, while nylon has a smell like burning protein, similar to the smell of burning nails.
Cut a piece off and put it in water. PE floats to the surface, while PA sinks