Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE, UHMW) is a subset of the thermoplastic polyethylene. Also known as high-modulus polyethylene, (HMPE), or high-performance polyethylene (HPPE), it has extremely long chains, with a molecular mass usually between 2 and 6 million u. The longer chain serves to transfer load more effectively to the polymer backbone by strengthening intermolecular interactions. This results in a very tough material, with the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic presently made.

UHMWPE is odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic. It is highly resistant to corrosive chemicals except oxidizing acids; has extremely low moisture absorption and a very low coefficient of friction; is self-lubricating; and is highly resistant to abrasion, in some forms being 15 times more resistant to abrasion than carbon steel. Its coefficient of friction is significantly lower than that of nylon and acetal, and is comparable to that of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), but UHMWPE has better abrasion resistance than PTFE.

General

Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene is the engineering grade Polyethylene. It has impact strength, wear resistance, and excellent resistance to small particle abrasion.

UHMWPE is available in several grades :

• General purpose
• Static reduced
• Mineral re-inforced

Please contact our staff to determine the best material for your requirements. Our service areas include the following suburbs of Victoria: Melbourne, Clayton, Dandenong, Ringwood, Hallam, Narre Warren, Frankston, Springvale & Keysborough. If you would like our assistance and expertise, get in touch with us.