🧩 PP+PE – Polypropylene with Polyethylene
(Weldable flexible and chemically resistant plastic, used in technical parts and automotive exterior casings)
🔹 What is PP+PE
PP+PE is a blend of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), two thermoplastics from the polyolefin family.
The combination offers a material with increased impact resistance, improved flexibility, and excellent chemical resistance, while maintaining the low weight characteristic of PP. It is frequently used in technical automotive parts, mudguards, casings, small tanks, or covers that require elasticity and dimensional stability.
🔧 Composition
- PP (Polypropylene) – rigid and thermally stable component
- PE (Polyethylene, LD or HD) – flexible, shock-resistant component
- Additives – compatibilizers, UV stabilizers, antioxidants
- Typical ratio: PP 60–80 % / PE 20–40 %, depending on the application
🚗 Where PP+PE is used in the automotive industry
| Component | Example parts | Observations |
| Body / Exterior | Mudguards, covers, extensions | Elastic, impact and vibration resistant |
| Engine Compartment | Sensor housings, small tanks | Good chemical and thermal resistance |
| Technical Interior | Panels, flexible plugs | Matte surface, deformation stable |
| Aftermarket | Universal parts, protectors | Weldable, durable, and easy to process |
🔧 Welding temperatures and methods
| Method | Optimal temperature | Observations |
| Hot air | 260 – 280 °C | Uniform weld, balanced melting |
| Heat plate (mirror) | 250 – 270 °C | Clean and controlled bonding |
| Manual extrusion | 240 – 260 °C | Ideal for long cracks and corners |
| Ultrasonic | — | Possible only for small thicknesses |
🔩 What to weld PP+PE with (Material compatibility)
The question “what to weld PP+PE with” is common because the two materials have different melting points. Welding is only possible with materials from the same polyolefin family, using a compatible filler rod (PP/PE blend).
✅ Compatible:
- PP+PE ↔ PP+PE – ideal combination
- PP+PE ↔ PP-C / PP-H / PE-HD / PE-LD – good compatibility
- PP+PE ↔ PP+EPDM / PP+HI – partially compatible (similar elasticity)
❌ Incompatible:
- ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PVC – different structures, will not bond
💡 ReplastMD Recommendation:
Use mixed PP/PE rods or PP-C / PE-HD at a temperature of 270 °C. Clean the welding area thoroughly, ensure simultaneous melting of both ends, and avoid sudden cooling for a uniform joint.
🏭 Manufacturers and trade names
| Manufacturer | Brand / Series | Country / Region |
| LyondellBasell | Hostacom® PP/PE | Germany / Netherlands |
| Borealis | Daplen® PE-PP | Austria |
| SABIC | PP-PE Alloy | Netherlands / Global |
| TotalEnergies | Lumicene® PE/PP | France |
| Hyundai EP | Polytron® PP-PE | South Korea |
| Ravago | Enyglos® PE-PP | EU |
🧠 How to identify PP+PE
- Engraved marking: >PP-PE< or >PP/PE<
- Yellow-blue flame, faint paraffin smell
- Semi-elastic material, not brittle
- Melts at 260–270 °C without bubbles
- Floats completely in water (density < 1 g/cm³)
🛠️ PP+PE Welding at ReplastMD:
At our service center in Chisinau (Ciocana sector), ReplastMD performs professional PP-PE welding for:
- mudguards, covers, housings, and flexible parts
- restoration of mounts, broken corners, and deformed extensions
- reinforcements using our own PP/PE rods