- Copolymer Polypropylene
- Homopolymer Polypropylene
- NorthPlex®
- Northvane®
- Sea-Flex®
- Northene-Low Density Polyethylene
- Northene 500
- Northene 1000
- Northene HD
- Northfoam® 140 / 170
- Northfoam® 33
- Plastazote Foam®
- Carbon Fibre Braid
- Carbon Fibre Matting
- Glass Fibre Braid
- Carbon/Glass Fibre Braid
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Northene-Low Density Polyethylene
Northene Low Density Polyethylene is a soft, flexible material used mainly in orthotic applications. The combination of flexibility and a degree of rigidity makes it a popular choice of material in the manufacture of TLSO braces. Northene can also be used to make wrist splints, neck braces, resting splints and ffo’s (as an alternative for Vitrathene®).
An issue to be noted with any low density polyethylene is susceptibility to attack by human skin oil. This affects the material by attacking the surface, and weakening the material. Where the material is under stress, small cracks, or crazing, will appear and the material will eventually fail. The degree to which the material is exposed to human skin oil will obviously affect the outcome.
Northene Low Density Polyethylene is made using a specific polymer designated by NSP, and extruded very carefully to minimise the level of shrinkage that affects the material. NSP guarantees that our Northene LDPE will shrink by no more than 6% (area) when heated at our recommended temperature. Other extruded LDPE sheet can shrink by up to 30% (area).
- Semi flexible
- Good impact strength
- Maximum shrinkage = 6%, guaranteed when heated at the correct temperature.
- Affected by skin oil exuded in sweat. Can lead to stress cracking.
Available in the following thickness:
1.5mm, 3.1mm, 4.7mm, 6mm.
Tolerance on thickness: ±5%
Colours available:
Natural.
Sheet size for orthotics:
2440 x 1220mm.
Square size for prosthetics:
406 x 406mm, 343 x 343mm, 305 x 305mm.
Moulding temperature:
Orthotics 150°C/302°F
Prosthetics 150°C/302°F
Cooking time:
3 minutes per mm thickness. N.B. As all ovens have slightly different heating characteristics please use our recommended timings as a guide only.
For information regarding the NSP range of ovens click here
Support Documents
- Northene-Low Density Polyethylene -
Product Leaflet - Northene-Low Density Polyethylene - Material Saftey Data sheet
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