The commonest plastic that can be found in daily life is polyethylene ( PE ) which is polymerized from ethylene industrially fractionated petroleum.

Polyethylene of low density added with a small quantity of oxygen is heated to 200 celsius degree under a high pressure of approximately 2000 air pressure, white wax like polyethylene can thereby be obtained, and the method is called high pressure ethylene polymerization. With special organic metal catalyzer, the ethylene can be polymerized under normal temperature into polyethylene of high density, and such method is called low pressure ethylene polymerization. Polyethylene is generally a milk white, translucent or opaque substance which is lighter than water and can fall drop by drop like olefin when being burnt, it has sound water resistance, electric insulation, acid and alkali resistance. The substance can dissolve in hot toluene yet is quite stable against most chemicals and therefore it can be easily molded. The melt index indicates the fusion viscosity of polyethylene, the smaller the index is, the larger the molecular weight and the higher the mechanical strength, although the fluidity is lower.

The low heat resistance and the inactive chemical property of polyethylene result in bad printing and bonding.
The substance can be used to manufacture all kinds of bottles, fishnet, ropes, cables. Telephone wire stringing, chopping boards as well as dustbins etc.