Marlex HXM 50100: specs and equivalent grades
Chevron Phillips Chemical extra high molecular weight ethylene-hexene HDPE for large blow molded and thermoformed parts. Published data, grades from other producers to ask about, and how to request a quote from one gaylord.
Request a QuoteThe short answer
Marlex HXM 50100 is Chevron Phillips Chemical's extra high molecular weight ethylene-hexene copolymer HDPE (HMW-HDPE) for large blow molded and thermoformed parts that need high ESCR, rigidity and low-temperature impact strength. CPChem positions it for blow molding and thermoforming, not film. Published high load melt index is 10 g/10 min, measured at 190°C / 374°F, 21.6 kg, ASTM D1238, and density is 0.948 g/cm³ (ASTM D1505). CPChem is still owned by Chevron and Phillips 66; we found no ownership change as of October 2026. Grades from other producers to ask about include ExxonMobil HD 49100HL and Formolene HL5010. They are not identical, so compare the data sheets and run a trial before switching.
Also written as: Marlex HXM 50100-01 and Marlex HXM 50100P are separate CPChem products with their own sheets; do not treat them as the same grade without checking. Quote the full code from your drawing or bag label.
Buying Marlex HXM 50100: 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.
Marlex HXM 50100 specs from the data sheet
Typical values from CPChem's Marlex HXM 50100 product page and technical data sheet (revision August 2021). Typical values are 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) | Chevron Phillips Chemical | CPChem product page, October 2026 |
| Polymer | HMW-HDPE, extra high molecular weight ethylene-hexene copolymer | |
| Process | Blow molding and thermoforming (large parts) | CPChem data sheet |
| Melt flow (HLMI) | 10 g/10 min | 190°C / 374°F, 21.6 kg, ASTM D1238 |
| Density | 0.948 g/cm³ | ASTM D1505 |
| ESCR | More than 1000 h (F50, 100% Igepal, condition B) | ASTM D1693 |
| Tensile impact | 90 ft·lb/in² (190 kJ/m²) | ASTM D1822, Type S bar |
| Flexural modulus (tangent) | 175,000 psi (1,200 MPa) | ASTM D790, 16:1 span:depth, 0.5 in/min |
| Tensile strength at yield | 3,600 psi (25 MPa) | ASTM D638, Type IV bar, 2 in/min |
| Elongation at break | 700 % | ASTM D638, Type IV bar, 2 in/min |
| Shore D hardness | 68 | ASTM D2240 |
| Brittleness temperature | Below −75°C / −103°F | ASTM D746, Type A |
| Vicat softening temperature | 126°C / 259°F | ASTM D1525, Loading 1, Rate A (CPChem lists 258°F) |
| Heat deflection temperature at 66 psi (0.45 MPa) | 78°C / 172°F | ASTM D648, Method A (CPChem lists 173°F) |
| Flammability | UL 94 HB | CPChem data sheet (UL yellow card, file E349283) |
| Agency listings | ASTM D4976 PE 235; FDA 21 CFR 177.1520(c) 3.2a (use conditions B through H); NSF Standard 61; listed in the Drug Master File | CPChem data sheet; CPChem also posts a food-contact PRO for this grade |
| Test specimens | Compression molded | ASTM D4703, Procedure C, Annex A1 |
| Drying | Not published on the data sheet | CPChem product page |
| Melt or mold temperature | Not published on the data sheet | CPChem product page |
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 Marlex HXM 50100
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 Marlex HXM 50100, any change needs your approval and usually a trial.
| Grade | Producer | Melt flow | Density | Key property | How it compares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExxonMobil HD 49100HL | ExxonMobil | 10 g/10 min HLMI (190°C / 374°F, 21.6 kg, ASTM D1238) | 0.949 g/cm³ (ASTM D1505) | ESCR more than 1000 hr (100% Igepal, ASTM D1693); flexural modulus 1% secant 920 MPa (130,000 psi); Charpy notched 19 kJ/m² (ISO 179/1eA) | Close match on HLMI, density and ESCR. HMW-HDPE copolymer for large part blow molding, drums, fuel tanks, heavy gauge sheet, pallets and thermoformed parts. Lower stated stiffness (1% secant vs tangent, so not one for one). ExxonMobil's product finder lists Paxon BC50-100 as its legacy name, and says it is not for biodiesel fuel systems. Quote this alternative › |
| Formolene HL5010 | Formosa Plastics USA | 10.0 g/10 min HLMI (190°C / 374°F, 21.6 kg, ASTM D1238) | 0.948 g/cm³ (ASTM D1505) | ESCR more than 1000 h (condition B, 100% Igepal, ASTM D1693); flexural modulus 170,000 psi (1172 MPa, ASTM D790); brittleness below −91°C (ASTM D746) | Close match. Extra high molecular weight hexene copolymer for large part blow molding (55-gallon containers, fuel and agricultural tanks), pallets, large formed parts and corrugated pipe. Same HLMI and density on paper; slightly lower stated stiffness (170,000 vs 175,000 psi). Formosa states FDA 21 CFR 177.1520. An older 2021 copy of the sheet printed the load as 2.16 kg; the current 06/2022 sheet and Formosa's grade list give it as HLMI. Quote this alternative › |
From each producer’s published data. Brand owners and grade names change; confirm on the current data sheet.
Typical uses for Marlex HXM 50100
From CPChem's product page and data sheet for Marlex HXM 50100:
- Shipping containers
- Jerry cans
- Fuel containers
- Agricultural chemical tanks
- Thermoformed pallets, automotive dunnage, truck bedliners and playground equipment (CPChem data sheet)
What to check before you switch
- If you were told this is a film grade, check. CPChem positions HXM 50100 for blow molding and thermoforming. For HMW-HDPE film, ask us for a film grade instead.
- Melt flow for this grade is HLMI at 21.6 kg. Do not compare it with a 2.16 kg melt index; confirm the load on every sheet you compare.
- For fuel containers, check the alternative's approvals and fuel compatibility (ExxonMobil excludes biodiesel for HD 49100HL).
- Run parison sag and pinch-off weld checks on large blow molded parts; melt strength matters more than the HLMI number.
- Ask for the producer's food-contact or NSF letter for the exact grade if the part needs one.
- Run a trial lot and check wall distribution, drop impact and cycle time before you switch production.
Buying Marlex HXM 50100: 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 Marlex HXM 50100 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 Marlex HXM 50100 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
- CPChem Marlex HXM 50100 product page
- CPChem Marlex HXM 50100 technical data sheet (PDF)
- ExxonMobil HD 49100HL data sheet (PDF)
- ExxonMobil Signature Polymers new-to-old PE product finder (PDF)
- Formosa Formolene HL5010 data sheet, revised 06/2022 (PDF)
Common questions
What is Marlex HXM 50100?
Marlex HXM 50100 is Chevron Phillips Chemical's extra high molecular weight ethylene-hexene HDPE for large blow molded and thermoformed parts, such as shipping containers, jerry cans, fuel containers and agricultural chemical tanks.
What is the melt index of Marlex HXM 50100?
Its high load melt index is 10 g/10 min, measured at 190°C / 374°F, 21.6 kg, ASTM D1238. Density is 0.948 g/cm³ (ASTM D1505).
What is equivalent to Marlex HXM 50100?
Grades from other producers to ask about include ExxonMobil HD 49100HL and Formolene HL5010. None is identical; compare data sheets and run a trial, and get approval if your part names Marlex HXM 50100.
Is Marlex HXM 50100 a film grade?
No. CPChem positions it for blow molding and thermoforming. If you need HMW-HDPE film, ask for a film grade.
Can ResinBridge supply Marlex HXM 50100?
We quote Marlex HXM 50100 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 Marlex HXM 50100 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 Marlex HXM 50100 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?
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