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How to Dissolve Polyethelyne

Polyethylene is made from single-unit monomers of ethylene. Under the right conditions in the presence of a catalyst, the monomers polymerize into long interlinked chains to form polyethylene. The polymer is very stable at low temperatures and under low pressure. Chemically, it is inert in these temperature and pressure regions. At temperatures above approximately 65 degrees C, the solubility of the polymer increases in many organic solvents. Xylene is an organic solvent used to dissolve many types of plastic in the waste treatment industry.

Things You'll Need

Low-density polyethylene
Mixing chamber
Xylene
Storage tank

Instructions

- 1
  Place a sample of polyethylene into a mixing chamber equipped with a drain. The drain will allow the removal of the solvent from the mixing chamber after the polyethylene dissolves.
- 2
  Preheat a quantity of xylene to 75 degrees C. This is sufficiently above the temperature required to dissolve polyethylene.
- 3
  Pour the xylene into the mixing chamber and stir the contents until the polyethylene dissolves. As with most substances, polyethylene has a finite solubility in xylene. Add more xylene as required until the total amount of polyethylene has dissolved.
- 4
  Open the drain in the mixing chamber and collect the xylene solution of polyethylene in a storage bottle for use later.

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