Gail HDPE G Lex W55A004

Gail HDPE G‑Lex W55A004 is a high‑density polyethylene (HDPE) grade for monofilament extrusion manufactured by GAIL (India) Limited. It is engineered with a very narrow molecular‑weight distribution (MWD) to support consistent extrusion, draw‑down, and tensile development in monofilament spinning and drawing operations.

GAIL positions W55A004/W55A004N for an optimum balance of strength and elongation, specifically designed to manufacture high‑tenacity monofilament yarn used in fishing nets, ropes, twines, and similar high‑strength cordage applications. In real production terms, this grade is chosen when converters want stable processing at speed, predictable filament behavior during drawing, and a finished yarn that can withstand repeated tension and outdoor service.

W55A004 is produced in the G‑Lex HDPE family (CX‑slurry process). It is supplied as natural‑colour pellets in 25 kg woven sacks and should be stored dry at temperatures below 50°C.

Technical insights

• Melt Flow Index (I2, 190°C/2.16 kg): 0.45 g/10 min (typical). A medium MFI helps support steady extrusion and throughput for monofilament/raffia lines while still enabling strong drawn filament properties.
• Density (23°C): 0.955 g/cm³ (typical). Higher density HDPE typically contributes to stiffness and strength development in drawn structures, supporting netting and rope performance.
• Very narrow MWD (design intent). Narrow MWD is commonly associated with more uniform melt behavior, helping deliver consistent filament diameter control and more predictable draw response.
• Tensile strength at yield: 250 kg/cm² (typical). Indicates the resin’s ability to resist yielding under load—relevant for yarns exposed to sustained tension.
• Elongation at yield: 10% (typical). Helps indicate early‑stage deformation behavior; useful when balancing stiffness with controlled stretch.
• Elongation at break: >600% (typical). High elongation at break supports toughness and helps reduce brittle failure risk in demanding cordage applications.
• Flexural modulus: 10,000 kg/cm² (typical). A stiffness indicator that can support dimensional stability and “body” in monofilament/raffia products.
• Shore D hardness: 63 (typical). A quick indicator of surface hardness/rigidity.
• Vicat softening point: 123°C (typical). Helps indicate thermal softening behavior, relevant for service temperature expectations and downstream handling.
• Processing guidance (typical): Barrel temperature 200–270°C as a starting window for monofilament and raffia extrusion; optimize based on die design, output rate, quench conditions, and draw ratio.

Applications

Fishing‑net monofilament yarn. W55A004 is designed for producing high‑tenacity HDPE monofilament used in fishing nets, where filaments face repeated cyclic loading, wet‑marine exposure, and abrasion. The grade’s narrow‑MWD positioning supports consistent spinning and drawing for stable net performance.

Ropes, twines, and cordage. For rope and twine manufacturers, this HDPE monofilament grade is used when higher strength and reliable elongation are needed for outdoor and industrial handling. It’s commonly searched as HDPE dana/granules for rope monofilament and netting yarn.

Raffia‑type yarn and related woven/cording products. W55A004 is also used in raffia‑type applications where converters want a balance of processability and mechanical performance for high‑strength woven or corded structures.

Comparable alternatives

Within GAIL’s monofilament/raffia family, buyers often compare W55A004/W55A004N with grades such as W52ASR009/W52ASR009N and W50A009. However, treat interchangeability as trial‑dependent: even when MFI values appear similar, differences in density, MWD design intent, and the resulting draw behavior can change filament tenacity, stretch profile, and line stability.

As a positioning guide based on the provided sources: W55A004 is described for high‑tenacity monofilament yarn (fishing nets and ropes), while other raffia/rope grades may be positioned for medium‑strength twines/ropes or different processing targets. For best results, match the intended end‑use (netting vs general twine), verify key typical properties (MFI, density, tensile/elongation), and validate on your extrusion + drawing conditions (quench, draw ratio, annealing, and winding).

Across India, multiple suppliers offer HDPE raffia/monofilament grades, but direct equivalence should not be assumed unless confirmed against manufacturer technical data sheets and proven in production trials.

Common search variants

Also searched as: Gail W55A004 HDPE, G‑Lex W55A004 monofilament grade, W55A004 raffia HDPE, HDPE monofilament granules/dana, W55A004 0.45 MFI.