Shrink wrap used for scaffolding, especially the one produced by Solicom under the Verisafe brand, is primarily made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). LDPE is preferred due to its excellent balance of flexibility, durability, and resilience, which allows it to be effectively heated and conformed to complex scaffolding structures. It also boasts high puncture resistance and can withstand extreme weather conditions, critical characteristics for scaffolding applications. Thus, while both LDPE and HDPE are types of polyethylene, it’s LDPE that is specifically used in the production of Solicom’s Verisafe scaffold shrink wrap.
Shrink wrap is typically made from Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE). LDPE is a flexible, lightweight, and translucent material, which makes it ideal for shrink wrap applications. This type of polyethylene shrinks at relatively low temperatures, ensuring that the goods underneath are not damaged by heat during the application process.
LDPE is often preferred over High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) for shrink wrap due to its superior flexibility, ductility, and resilience to impacts and punctures. These properties allow the LDPE shrink wrap to conform closely to the shape of the object it’s covering, providing a tight and secure fit.
On the other hand, HDPE is a denser, more rigid type of polyethylene. It is primarily used in applications where greater strength and resistance to chemicals or UV radiation are required, such as in making plastic bottles, containers, or piping for water and gas.
While both LDPE and HDPE are types of polyethylene, their different physical properties make them suitable for different applications. For shrink wrap purposes, especially in construction or industrial environments like scaffold wrapping, LDPE is commonly used due to its specific qualities as mentioned above.