Polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer composed of long chains of the monomer ethylene (IUPAC name ethene). The recommended scientific name polyethene is systematically derived from the scientific name of these monomers. Under certain conditions very useful to use the nomenclature structure, based, in cases such as the IUPAC recommends poly (methylene) (poly (methanediyl) is a non-preferred alternative). Differences in names between the two systems is due to open the double bonds of monomers which on polymerization.
This name was abbreviated to PE in a manner similar to that with others, such as polypropylene and polystyrene polymers are shortened to PP and PS respectively. In the United Kingdom the polymer is usually called Polyethylene Plastic, although this is not scientifically recognized.
Today many artists who use this material as a trial for their innovation in creating art that different from before, used as a medium of art or media only as a canvas.