{"id":239454,"date":"2020-10-09T19:52:31","date_gmt":"2020-10-09T19:52:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polybags.com\/?p=239454"},"modified":"2020-10-09T19:52:36","modified_gmt":"2020-10-09T19:52:36","slug":"which-type-of-plastic-bag-is-the-strongest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.polybags.com\/which-type-of-plastic-bag-is-the-strongest\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Type of Plastic Bag is the Strongest?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]There are many types of plastic bags (poly bags), but not all have the same strength capabilities. The type of plastic bag that is the strongest will depend on the way the plastic is made.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, different <\/span>types of poly bags<\/span><\/a> are developed just for their strength properties. <\/span>The strongest type of plastic bag is made of HDPE, or high density polyethylene.<\/b> Changes to the material that determine thickness and strength occur during the polymerization process. Let\u2019s break this down a bit further.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Determines Plastic Bag Strength?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Plastic bag strength is established by the way the ethylene reacts during the polymerization process. To make polyethylene, small molecules of the ethylene bind together to form a chain of molecules, called a polymer. From this principal chain, branches can start to form. <\/span>The more branches that form, the thinner and less dense the resulting polyethylene.<\/b> To make a denser, sturdier polyethylene, fewer branches have to form.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, if the main polymer chain is relatively straight with few branches, it is called High Density Polyethylene. HDPE is made of tightly packed molecules that not only make it more dense, but also less flexible. It can be used to make plastic bags that are stronger and more durable than lower density plastics.<\/span><\/p>\n

If the polymer chain has many branches that form along the main strand, it might be MDPE or LDPE. Medium density polyethylene and low density polyethylene are more flexible than HDPE and also have a lesser resistance.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Can You Tell Which Type of Plastic Bag is the Strongest?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The strength of a plastic bag is determined by its material and thickness. We already know that the material HDPE produces the strongest plastic bags, but what about thickness? Thicker bags are typically stronger than thinner bags of the same material. To determine the thickness of a plastic bag, or its <\/span>gauge<\/span><\/i>, you need to find its <\/span>mil score<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mil is a measurement used to express plastic bag thickness. <\/span>A mil is equal to a thousandth of an inch.<\/b> To get an idea of how bag thickness is expressed in mils, refer to these common examples of types of plastic bags:<\/span><\/p>\n