DOW LDPE 640I: specs and equivalent grades
Dow barefoot general purpose LDPE liner resin for thin gauge film that needs good drawdown and toughness. Published data, grades from other producers to ask about, and how to request a quote from one gaylord.
Request a QuoteThe short answer
DOW LDPE 640I is a barefoot (no slip or antiblock) general purpose low density polyethylene liner resin for thin gauge film that needs good drawdown and toughness. Published melt index is 2.0 g/10 min, measured at 190°C / 374°F, 2.16 kg, and density is 0.920 g/cm³ (ASTM D792) on Dow’s technical data sheet (Dow’s full technical sheet sits behind a login). Dow still owns the grade; we found no ownership change as of October 2026. Grades from other producers to ask about include Petrothene NA952000, NOVAPOL LF-0219-A and Westlake EF412AA. They are not identical, so compare the data sheets and run a trial before switching.
Also written as: Polyethylene 640I Low Density (Dow's product page name), DOW™ LDPE 640I. We did not see color or additive suffix codes for this grade on Dow documents. Quote the full code from your drawing or bag label.
Buying DOW LDPE 640I: one gaylord to a railcar · supplier COA on every prime lot · ships from 22+ partner warehouse locations · a polymer chemist checks the grade code before we quote · we aim to quote within one to three business days
Have a part number or drawing callout?
Paste it as written. A polymer chemist will tell you which grade it calls for, suggest equivalents and quote it by email.
DOW LDPE 640I specs from the data sheet
Typical values from Dow’s DOW LDPE 640I technical data sheet (Form No. 400-00007193en, viewed on dow.com October 31, 2026). Dow states these are typical properties, not specifications; the lot COA shows what you actually receive. Values only compare at the same test method and condition.
| Property | Value | Test method or note |
|---|---|---|
| Producer (brand owner) | Dow | No ownership change found as of October 2026 |
| Polymer | Low density polyethylene, barefoot general purpose liner resin | Dow TDS |
| Process | Blown and cast film; optimum gauge 0.8–3.0 mil | Dow TDS |
| Additives | Antiblock: no. Slip: no. Processing aid: no. | Dow TDS |
| Melt index | 2.0 g/10 min | 190°C / 374°F, 2.16 kg, ASTM D1238 |
| Density | 0.920 g/cm³ | ASTM D792 |
| ESCR | 2.0 h | ASTM D1693 |
| Tensile strength, yield / break (plaque) | 8.96 MPa (1,300 psi) / 11.0 MPa (1,600 psi) | ASTM D638 |
| Tensile elongation, yield / break (plaque) | 4.0 % / 600 % | ASTM D638 |
| Flexural modulus, 2% secant | 234 MPa (34,000 psi) | ASTM D790 |
| Film toughness, MD / TD, 1.0 mil cast | 148 / 191 J/cm³ (1,790 / 2,310 ft·lb/in³) | ASTM D882 |
| Film tensile at break, MD / TD, 1.0 mil cast | 34.3 / 22.3 MPa (4,970 / 3,240 psi) | ASTM D882 |
| Film elongation at break, MD / TD, 1.0 mil cast | 260 % / 700 % | ASTM D882 |
| Food contact and medical | Dow lists compliance with U.S. FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 (c) 2.2, a U.S. FDA DMF, EU No 10/2011, Canadian HPFB No Objection (with limitations) and USP Class VI. Consult the regulations for details. | Dow TDS |
| Drying | Not published | Dow TDS |
Source data sheets are listed at the bottom of this page. Confirm against the current sheet for your exact grade code and color.
The producer’s sheet gives no drying step; PE and PP do not normally need drying, but material moved from a cold warehouse into a warm plant can pick up surface condensation, so let it reach room temperature in the closed box before opening.
Grades to ask about instead of DOW LDPE 640I
These grades from other producers have similar published specs. None is a drop-in replacement: additive packages, flow at molding shear rates, color and approvals differ. If your part, drawing or customer approval names DOW LDPE 640I, any change needs your approval and usually a trial.
| Grade | Producer | Melt flow | Density | Key property | How it compares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrothene NA952000 | LyondellBasell | 2.0 g/10 min (190°C / 374°F, 2.16 kg) | 0.919 g/cm³ (base resin, 23°C) | Dart F50 110 g; Elmendorf tear MD / TD 350 / 70 g; no slip or antiblock | Close match on melt index and density, also barefoot. LyondellBasell positions it for liners and bags but also for injection molded caps and closures and blow molded squeeze bottles; TD tear on its sheet is much lower. The product page does not list test methods. North America. Quote this alternative › |
| NOVAPOL LF-0219-A | NOVA Chemicals (part of Borouge International) | 2.3 g/10 min (190°C / 374°F, 2.16 kg, ASTM D1238) | 0.918 g/cm³ (ASTM D792) | Dart 160 g (ASTM D1709A); tear MD / TD 165 / 150 g (ASTM D1922); haze 15% (ASTM D1003), 38 µm blown film | Partial match. Homopolymer LDPE film resin for industrial packaging, liners and blends with LLDPE; no slip or antiblock; slightly higher flow and lower density, tested on 38 µm film so film numbers do not compare directly. FDA 21 CFR 177.1520(c) 2.1 listed. NOVA has been part of Borouge International since the end of March 2026. Quote this alternative › |
| Westlake EF412AA | Westlake | 2.0 g/10 min (190°C / 374°F, 2.16 kg, ASTM D1238) | 0.923 g/cm³ (ASTM D1505) | Haze 4.5% (ASTM D1003); gloss 84 (45°); dart 100 g (ASTM D1709), 1.25 mil film | Partial match. EF412AA is the barefoot version of EF412. Same melt index, slightly higher density, much clearer film; Westlake aims it at clarity packaging, produce and bakery bags rather than liners. Westlake says it has some 21 CFR clearances and to ask for food-contact statements. Quote this alternative › |
From each producer’s published data. Brand owners and grade names change; confirm on the current data sheet.
Typical uses for DOW LDPE 640I
From Dow's product page for 640I:
- Waste liners
- Closures, lids and lidding films
- Industrial films
- Medical packaging
What to check before you switch
- Compare film data at the same gauge and process: Dow reports 1.0 mil cast and 2.0 mil blown film values.
- 640I is barefoot. If your film needs slip or antiblock, confirm the masterbatch you add today, and that the alternative is also barefoot (NA952000 and EF412AA are; check others).
- Film values from different producers use different gauges (38 µm for NOVAPOL LF-0219-A, 1.25 mil for EF412); compare dart and tear only at the same thickness and blow-up ratio.
- If you blend 640I with LLDPE for liners, run the blend ratio on the alternative too; drawdown and bubble stability can shift.
- Ask for the producer's food-contact or regulatory letter for the exact grade if the film needs one.
- Run a trial lot and check gauge control, gels and seal strength before you switch production.
Buying DOW LDPE 640I: price, lead time and lot size
- Lot size. From one gaylord to a railcar. See gaylord, LTL and truckload for typical weights per box.
- Where it ships from. 22+ partner warehouse locations. Material already in a partner warehouse usually moves sooner than a grade that has to come from the producer; your quote says which applies.
- Price. We do not publish prices because they move with feedstock, freight and order size. What moves your price most: lot size, color, ship-to region, and whether you need DOW LDPE 640I itself or can accept a matched alternative. See how resin is priced and the monthly market update.
- Paperwork. Supplier COA on every prime lot (what a COA shows). Ask for the producer’s regulatory letter or UL file if your part needs them.
- Trying an alternative? Start with one gaylord as a trial lot, molded and checked before you commit a full release.
- If DOW LDPE 640I itself is not available. Some branded grades are sold only through the producer’s own channels or go on allocation. If we cannot source it, we tell you, then quote a matched alternative with a side-by-side comparison.
Send the grade code, your annual volume and ship-to location. A polymer chemist checks it before we quote; we have been in the resin business for 30+ years. For several grades at once, use the resin RFQ template.
Trade names belong to their owners. ResinBridge is not affiliated with these producers; grade names are used only to identify the material. Data reflects published sheets as of October 2026.
Sources
- Dow: DOW LDPE 640I technical data sheet, Form 400-00007193en (dow.com)
- Dow product page: Polyethylene 640I Low Density
- Listing of Dow data for LDPE 640I (MatWeb format, trader site)
- LyondellBasell Petrothene NA952000 product page
- NOVA Chemicals NOVAPOL LF-0219-A data sheet (PDF)
- Westlake EF412 technical data sheet (PDF)
Common questions
What is DOW LDPE 640I?
DOW LDPE 640I is a barefoot general purpose low density polyethylene liner resin for thin gauge film that needs good drawdown and toughness.
What is the melt index of DOW LDPE 640I?
2.0 g/10 min, measured at 190°C / 374°F, 2.16 kg (ASTM D1238). Density is 0.920 g/cm³ (ASTM D792), per Dow’s technical data sheet.
What is equivalent to DOW LDPE 640I?
Grades from other producers to ask about include Petrothene NA952000, NOVAPOL LF-0219-A and Westlake EF412AA. None is identical; compare data sheets and run a trial, and get approval if your part names DOW LDPE 640I.
Is DOW LDPE 640I food-contact compliant?
Dow’s technical data sheet lists compliance with FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 (c) 2.2, EU No 10/2011 and USP Class VI. Ask Dow for the current regulatory letter for your exact use.
Can ResinBridge supply DOW LDPE 640I?
We quote DOW LDPE 640I when our supply partners can source it. If they cannot, we say so up front and quote a matched alternative, named on the quote with its data sheet, so you can decide whether to trial it.
If your grade is not listed, tell us what you run. We source commodity, engineering and specialty resins.
Need DOW LDPE 640I or an equivalent?
A polymer chemist reviews every request, then matches your grade or finds a matched alternative and prices it.
What to send for an accurate quote
- The grade name, from any supplier, or a data sheet
- Color (natural, black or a custom match)
- Fill type and percentage, if any
- Melt flow, if you know it
- Quantity for this order and what you use in a year
- Ship-to city and state or province
Quote DOW LDPE 640I or a matched alternative
A polymer chemist checks the data sheet and tells you exactly what you would get before you order.
Request a QuoteNot sure which grade fits your part?
Send the grade you run now, or describe the part.