HDPE (high-density polyethylene) sheets offer some benefits that make the material good for many projects and are easy to work with in most situations. The plastic is light, chemical resistant, and is relatively low priced through many different vendors or retailers.

Working With HDPE

When considering HDPE sheets for a project you are working on, you need to look at the size and thickness options available in your area. HDPE or high-density polyethylene plastic is available in large sheets like plywood or other materials or in smaller blocks that are easier to handle.

The HDPE sheets are available with pigments or as a clear white sheet, but getting paint to stay on the material can be tricky, so buying it pre-pigmented can sometimes be a good option. Your supplier can go over the options with you and help you select the sheets you need, and if you want smaller sheets in several different colors, they can handle that for you. 

Because the material is light and robust, you can make many different things from it. HDPE sheets are easy to cut and machine with traditional tools, and it is far less likely to break like more brittle plastics. Using plastic or sonic welding to join the plastic is also an option that adds to the material's versatility. Using a respirator when cutting or machining is essential to avoid breathing the dust in, and a well-ventilated shop area is also beneficial. 

Purchasing HDPE Sheets

HDPE sheets are not hard to find, and many home centers carry the sheets and blocks of the material that you can purchase right off the shelf. If you need a custom-sized sheet, there are several online suppliers that will ship the plastic sheets to you and offer so many options that you can find nearly anything you need on their sites. 

If you are looking for something specific and can't find it, contacting one of these plastic suppliers directly can be very helpful. The vendor can go over your needs and recommend a product that meets those needs. If they don't have the HDPE already available in the dimensions you need, they can often get it from the manufacturer for you as a custom order, but it may cost a little more to go that route. 

Recycling Potential

HDPE sheets have the additional benefit of being easy to recycle. The material can be ground up and reused to create more material, so any scraps that you have left and can't be used in the shop can go straight into the recycling bin when you are done with it. 

While it is not something you can recycle for a profit, HDPE can go into household recycling bins and is the same material used in many containers like laundry soap and motor oil come in. 

For more information, contact a local company, like Sandhill Plastics.