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What is the effect of molecular weight on the melting point of polyethylene?

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The effect of molecular weight on the melting point of polyethylene is quite significant. Polyethylene is a polymer, which means it consists of long chains of ethylene monomers  C2H4  linked together. The molecular weight of polyethylene is determined by the number of monomers in the chain, and it can vary widely depending on the specific type of polyethylene.As the molecular weight of polyethylene increases, the melting point of the polymer also increases. This is because higher molecular weight polymers have longer chains, which leads to stronger intermolecular forces, such as van der Waals forces, between the chains. These stronger forces require more energy to overcome, resulting in a higher melting point.In general, low-density polyethylene  LDPE  has a lower molecular weight and a lower melting point  around 105-115C  compared to high-density polyethylene  HDPE , which has a higher molecular weight and a higher melting point  around 130-137C .It is important to note that other factors, such as the degree of crystallinity, branching, and cross-linking, can also influence the melting point of polyethylene. However, molecular weight remains a significant factor in determining the melting point of this polymer.
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