Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW)

DESCRIPTION

Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene is one of the toughest low-cost plastics and it can withstand the harshest environment.  It has strong resistance to most chemicals.  Excellent performance in a broad range of temperatures, especially in cold temperatures.  It is extremely abrasion resistant and able to outwear steel in many applications.  Finally, it is almost as slick as Teflon and used frequently as a bearing surface.  The specific gravity of 0.93 suggests it is lighter than water.

PRIMARY SOURCE

About the supplier:

Rochling SE & Co. is our primary source of UHMW Polyethylene stock shapes.

Available Sizes:

Sheet: .060”-2.50” Gage   48” Wide. 96” or 120” Long.

Rod: 0.25” up to 10.0” Diameter

Most any size can be readily sourced.  Reprocessed UHMW available in black is also a popular choice and saves money over virgin selections.

PropertyTest MethodUnitGuideline Value
General properties
Specific GravityASTM D792g/cm³0.93
Water AbsorptionASTM D570%<0.10
Mechanical properties
Wear resistanceSand-slurry100
HardnessASTM D2240Shore D62-66
Tensile Strength at yield 73°FASTM D638psi3100
Tensile ModulusASTM D638psi100000
Elongation at BreakASTM D638%>350
Flexural StrengthASTM D790psi3500
Compressive StrengthASTM D695psi3000
Izod Impact, NotchedASTM D256ft-lb/inNo Break
Coefficient of Friction, Dynamic0.10-0.22
Coefficient of Friction, Static0.15-0.20
Izod Impact StrengthASTM D4020kJ/m²125
Thermal properties
CTE, linearASTM D696in/in/°F1.1x 10-4
Melting PointASTM D3418°F266-275
Vicat Softening PointISO306°F176
Maximum Service Temperature, Air°F180
Heat Deflection Temperature 264psiASTM D648°F108
Flammability, UL941/8 inchHB

Most any size can be readily sourced.  Reprocessed UHMW available in black is also a popular choice and saves money over virgin selections.

UHMW Properties

PropertyTest MethodUnitGuideline Value
Electrical properties
Volume ResistivityASTM D257Ωcm>10¹⁵
Dielectric constantASTM D1501MHz2.3
Dielectric strengthASTM D149kV/mm45
Surface resistivityASTM D257Ohm/cm>10¹²
Compliance properties
FDAYes
NSFNo
USDAYes

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Properties Guide

Temperature (Deg F)

PlasticMaxMinRange
PTFE-Teflon500-328828
PAI-Torlon482-328810
PEEK-Polyetheretherketone482-76558
PEI-Ultem392-58450
PPSU-Radel356-58414
PPS-Polyphenylene sulfide356-4360
PSU Polysufone302-58360
PVDF-Polyvinylidene fluoride302-58360
PC-Polcarbonate275-76351
PA-Nylon Extruded225-22247
POM-Acetal Homopolymer221-58279
PA-Cast Nylon221-22243
HDPE-Polyethelene212-40252
PET-P Polyester210-58268
Acetal Copolymer203-58261
UHMW-Polyethelene180-238418
PMMA-Acrylic194-40234
ABS-Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene176-4180
PP-Polypropylene16232130
PVC-Polyvinyl Chloride14414130

Tensile (PSI)

PlasticTensile PSI
PAI-Torlon20,000
PEI-Ultem15,000
PEEK-Polyetheretherketone14,500
Nylon Cast13,000
PPS-Polyphenylene sulfide12,500
PA-Nylon Extruded12,000
PET-P Polyester11,750
PPSU-Radel10,100
PSU-Polysulfone10,050
POM-Acetal Homopolymer10,000
PC-Polcarbonate10,000
Acetal Copolymer9,750
PMMA-Acrylic9,000
PVC-Polyvinyl Chloride7,500
PVDF-Polyvinylidene fluoride7,000
ABS-Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene5,100
UHMW- Polyethelene5,000
HDPE-Polyethelene4,000
PTFE-Teflon3,500
PP-Polypropylene3,500
This chart is meant to show relative temperatures and strength of the plastics listed.
Actual values may be different in each application.