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UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene)

UHMW

UHMW

UHMW

UHMW – Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

 

UHMW or UHMWPE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) is an extremely tough plastic with high abrasion and wear resistance. The versatility of polyethylene has made it a popular plastic for countless industrial applications that require durability, low friction, and chemical resistance. Applications include UHMW wear strips, chain guides, packaging machinery parts, and marine dock fender pads.

Is UHMW right for your next project? Our plastics experts can answer your questions and advise on material applications, and machined parts or fabricated parts.

STANDARD SIZES

SHEET
Dimensions:
12 in x 12 in – 60 in x 120 in
Thickness:
0.062 in – 7 in

OPTIONS AVAILABLE

COLOR
Sheet:
White (Natural), Black,Green, Lime Green, Grey, Blue, Dark Blue
Rod: 
White (Natural), Black
GRADES
Virgin, Reprocessed, Anti-Static, 
Oil-Filled, Glass-Filled, Enhanced
Bearing and Wear, FDA Compliant,
Metal and X-ray Detectable
ROD
Outside Diameter:
0.250 in – 10 in
POLYSTONE®
MEGASHEET
Dimensions: 96 in x 240 in
Thickness: 0.062 in – 7 in
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UHMW IS WIDELY USED FOR:

  • Chute, hopper, and truck bed liners
  • Wear strips and guide rails
  • Star wheels and idler sprockets
  • High speed conveyors
  • Packaging machinery parts
  • Food processing machinery parts
  • Bumpers, pile guards, and dock fenders

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Extremely tough and durable
  • Low friction
  • Excellent abrasion resistance
  • Good chemical resistance
  • Low moisture absorption
  • Easy to fabricate

COMMON BRANDS:

  • Polystone® M
  • Tivar®
  • GUR®

Length, width, thickness, and diameter tolerances vary by size, by manufacturer, brand, and grade. Custom sizes and colors available upon request. Also available as a tape.

UHMW Properties and Material Options

UHMW Liners– UHMW sheet is often used for lining chutes and hoppers to protect metal surfaces and to keep solid materials like sand, wood chips, or coal moving smoothly.

UHMW Parts– Easy to fabricate, UHMW is also used for packaging, conveyor, and food processing machinery parts including star wheels, idler sprockets, and under-chain wear strips.

UHMW Wood Replacement– UHMW offers very low moisture absorption and is a popular choice for marine construction applications like dock fender pads, pile guards, and anti-skid walkways. UHMW does not corrode, rot, or splinter like wood.

X-ray Detectable UHMW– Polystone® M XDT is an FDA compliant detectable UHMW designed to be visible to x-ray inspection technology. It has excellent impact and wear resistance, and low sliding properties for food and beverage processing.

UHMW Grades– Several grades of UHMW are available, including reprocessed, enhanced bearing and wear, and FDA compliant.

Tech Tip– Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene has a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion. This may make it difficult to hold tight tolerances on UHMW parts that will be exposed to changing temperatures.

TYPICAL PROPERTIES OF UHMW

 UNITSASTM TESTUHMW-PE
Tensile strengthpsiD6383,100
Flexural moduluspsiD790110,000
Izod impact (notched)ft-lbs/in of notchD25618.0*
Heat deflection temperature @ 264 psi°FD648 
Maximum continuous service temperature in air°F 180
Maximum continuous service temperature in air% D570slight
Coefficient of linear thermal expansionin/in/°Fx10-5D69611.1

Values may vary according to brand name. Please ask your Petron Thermoplast representative for more specific information about an individual brand. *Double-15° notch.

POPULAR PLASTIC MATERIAL COMPARISONS:

HDPE vs. UHMW— Both are abrasion resistant, but which is right for your specific application?

Explore the physical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties of UHMW.

Sort, compare, and find the plastic material suited for your application using our interactive properties table.

IMPACT AND ABRASION RESISTANCE OF UHMW

UHMW Machining

1. Cutting

Use sharp, carbide-tipped tools to avoid friction that can generate excessive heat. Laser cutting is not suitable due to the risk of melting.

2. Milling

For milling, sharp tools with high rake angles and generous clearance are recommended to achieve smooth cuts.

3. Drilling

Standard twist drills work well, but specialized UHMW drills with polished flutes help reduce friction.

4. Turning

Similar to cutting and milling, sharp carbide or high-speed steel tools work best for turning UHMW.

5. Sawing

For sawing UHMW, use a band saw or circular saw with carbide-tipped blades. A fine-toothed blade helps prevent chipping.

6. Finishing

UHMW does not respond well to traditional finishing techniques like sanding, as it may lead to “furring” or rough edges. Flame polishing can be used in some cases to smooth edges.

Applications of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW)

UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) is a versatile thermoplastic with unique properties that make it ideal for a wide range of applications across various industries. Here are some of the most common applications of UHMW:

1. Conveyor Systems

Wear strips, guide rails, rollers, and chain guides.

2. Food Processing

Cutting boards, food handling equipment, chutes, scrapers, and wear parts.

3. Medical Devices

Prosthetic joints, implants, and orthopedic devices.

4. Automotive Industry

Bearings, bushings, gears, liners, and impact protection.

5. Mining and Aggregate Processing

Chutes, hoppers, liners, and impact pads.

6. Industrial Machinery

Gears, sprockets, wear strips, and machine guards.

7. Pulp and Paper Industry

Rollers, scrapers, gears, and bushings.

8. Marine Industry

Dock fenders, bumpers, and boat sliders.

9. Textile Industry

Loom parts, guides, and rollers.

10. Agriculture

Equipment liners, bearings, bushings, and seed drill components.

11. Cryogenics

Liners, seals, and cryogenic containment parts.

12. Packaging Industry

Star wheels, guide rails, and wear strips for packaging machines.

13. Aerospace

Liners, wear plates, and protective co

14. Recreation

Ski bottoms, snowmobile tracks, and skateboard ramps.

15. Chemical Processing

Tank liners, seals, gaskets, and valve components.

UHMW Machined Parts Made by Petron Thermoplast

Petron Thermoplast specializes in the precision machining of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW) to create custom, high-performance components for a variety of industries. Our expertise in working with UHMW ensures that you receive parts that meet the highest standards of durability, reliability, and functionality, even in the most demanding applications.

Our UHMW machined components are tailored for various industries – 

1. Wear Strips and Guide Rails

2. Bearings and Bushings

3. Chutes, Hoppers, and Liners

4. Sprockets and Gears

5. Dock Fenders and Marine Components

6. Medical and Food Processing Components

7. Custom Components

UHMW Machined Parts

Petron Thermoplast Machining Capabilities

Petron Thermoplast’s advanced CNC machining capabilities ensure that all UHMW parts are produced with precision, consistency, and high performance. Our services offer:

Custom Machining: We create parts based on your specific designs or help develop new solutions tailored to your application.

High Precision: Our CNC machining ensures tight tolerances and superior surface finishes for smooth, reliable operation.

Quick Turnaround: We deliver your custom parts promptly while maintaining top-notch quality.

Expert Support: Our team offers technical expertise in selecting the right materials, optimizing designs, and recommending the best machining techniques for your project.

UHMW Grades We Work With

At Petron Thermoplast, we work with a variety of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW) grades to meet the diverse needs of different industries. Each grade of UHMW is engineered for specific applications, offering unique properties that make them suitable for various environments. Below are some of the common UHMW grades we work with:

  • Virgin UHMW
  • Reprocessed UHMW
  • Anti-Static UHMW
  • High-Temperature UHMW
  • Lubricated UHMW
  • UV-Stabilized UHMW
  • FDA-Compliant UHMW
  • Conductive UHMW
  • Glass-Filled UHMW
  • Flame-Retardant UHMW

Why Choose Petron Thermoplast?

Selecting the right partner for your UHMWPE plastic machining and material needs is crucial for ensuring high-quality products and reliable performance. Here’s why Petron Thermoplast stands out as the ideal choice:

  • Expertise in High-Performance Plastics
  • Comprehensive Material Selection
  • Industry Experience
  • Quality Assurance
  • Advanced Machining Capabilities
  • Customer-Centric Approach
  • Competitive Pricing
  • Timely Delivery

Choosing Petron Thermoplast means partnering with a company dedicated to delivering excellence in UHMW plastic machining and fabrication. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction ensures that you receive the best possible products and services, tailored to your needs. Whether you require standard components or custom-engineered solutions, Petron Thermoplast is your trusted partner for success.

Conclusion

Petron Thermoplast stands as a leader in the thermoplastics industry, offering unmatched expertise in the machining and manufacturing of high-performance materials like UHMWPE, PEEK, and Delrin. With a focus on precision, customization, and innovation, we provide reliable and durable solutions tailored to meet the unique demands of industries ranging from automotive and medical to food processing and mining. We deliver with efficiency, expertise, and excellence. Choosing Petron Thermoplast means choosing durability, reliability, and performance you can trust.

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