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Medium-density polyethylene
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<table><tbody><tr><th colspan="2">MDPE</th></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Density/92p6hh9I">Density</a></td><td>0.926–0.940 <a href="/facts/Gram/sRSW5RJb">g</a>/<a href="/facts/Cubic_centimetre/B8X0UHDI">cm3</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Young_modulus/MV5JMCIM">Young modulus</a>/ E modulus/ <a href="/facts/Tensile_modulus/MV5JMCIM">Tensile modulus</a></td><td>172–379 <a href="/facts/Mega-/rk32jTkD">M</a><a href="/facts/Pascal_(unit)/Am1To2Qm">Pa</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Tensile_strength/Cv2jPplR">Tensile strength</a>(σt)</td><td>12.4–19.3 <a href="/facts/Mega-/rk32jTkD">M</a><a href="/facts/Pascal_(unit)/Am1To2Qm">Pa</a></td></tr><tr><td>Elongation @ break</td><td>100–150%</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Brittleness/cn27H2vg">Brittleness</a>, low temperature</td><td>−118 °<a href="/facts/Degree_Celsius/okAEu1CA">C</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Vicat_softening_point/pe0xwcqa">Vicat</a></td><td>99–124 °<a href="/facts/Degree_Celsius/okAEu1CA">C</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Specific_heat_capacity/9P0U6YgI">Specific heat</a> (c)</td><td>1.916 <a href="/facts/Kilo-/akxTdXyp">k</a><a href="/facts/Joules/9ndq9jD2">J</a>/<a href="/facts/Kilogram/lU2zbPk8">kg</a>.<a href="/facts/Kelvin/E3trzC4C">K</a></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><th colspan="2">Source: J.Brandrup, E. H. Immergut & E.A. Grulke, Polymer Handbook Fourth edition, <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 0-471-48171-8</th></tr></tbody></table> <p>Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) is a type of <a href="/facts/Polyethylene/LaaAf4cn">polyethylene</a> defined by a density range of 0.926–0.940 g/cm3. It is less dense than <a href="/facts/HDPE/9mUm98TQ">HDPE</a>, which is more common. </p><p>MDPE can be produced by chromium/silica catalysts, <a href="/facts/Ziegler-Natta_catalysts/bkDSDf9d">Ziegler-Natta catalysts</a> or <a href="/facts/Metallocene_catalysts/bkDSDf9d">metallocene catalysts</a>. MDPE has good shock and drop resistance properties. It also is less notch sensitive than HDPE. Stress cracking resistance is better than that of HDPE. MDPE is typically used in gas pipes and fittings, sacks, <a href="/facts/Shrink_film/zErUmBYt">shrink film</a>, packaging film, carrier bags, and screw closures. </p><p>In the United Kingdom, black (or blue) MDPE is often used for water and waste water plumbing, and may also be referred to as 'black alkathene.' </p>