UHMW Plastic | UHMW-PE | Piedmont Plastics

Common Properties

Typical Widths 12 to 48 in
Common Brand Names Tivar®, Polystone®, Proteus®, Ultra - Slide
Typical Lengths 24 to 120 in
Common Profiles Rod, Sheet, Film, Tube
Common Colors White, Black, Green, Blue
Typical Rod Diameters 0.250 – 6 in
Friendly Names Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, UHMW-PE, UHMW Polyethylene
Typical Thickness Size 0.003 to 6 in

Electrical Properties

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) not specified volts
Arc Resistance not specified seconds
Surface Resistivity 10^16 ohm/sq
Dielectric Constant 2.3 unitless
Dissipation Factor 0.0004 unitless
Breakdown Voltage not specified volts
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Sensitivity not specified unitless
Dielectric Strength 48 kV/mm
Volume Resistivity 10^17 ohm·cm
Thermal Coefficient of Dielectric Constant not specified unitless

Mechanical Properties

Compressive Yield Strength 21 MPa
Izod Impact, Unnotched No Break -
Bearing Yield Strength 21 MPa
Hardness, Rockwell R 60 Scale
Tensile Strength, Ultimate 40 MPa
Gardner Impact >182 J
Modulus of Elasticity 690 MPa
Flexural Yield Strength 21 MPa
Shear Strength 28 MPa
Elongation at Yield 10 %
Instrumented Impact Total Energy High -
Flexural Modulus 650 MPa
Tensile Strength, Yield 21 MPa
Izod Impact, Notched No Break -
Falling Dart Impact No Break -
Elongation at Break 350 %

Physical Properties

Water Absorption 0.01 %
Moisture Absorption at Equilibrium 0.2 %
Melt Flow 10 g/10 min
Linear Mold Shrinkage 0.005 mm/mm
Density 0.9 g/cm³

Regulation Properties

FDA REACH Compliant NSF USP Class VI RoHS Compliant Canada AG USDA ASTM/Mil-Spec

Thermal Properties

Deflection Temperature at 1.8 MPa (264 psi) 50 °C
CTE, linear, Transverse to Flow 200 10^-6 in/in/°F
Minimum Operating Temperature in F -150 °F
Thermal Conductivity 0.41 W/m·K
Deflection Temperature at 0.46 MPa (66 psi) 80 °C
CTE, linear 200 10^-6 in/in/°F
Max Continuous Operating Temperature in F 180 °F
Vicat Softening Point 90 °C
Flammability, UL94 HB

UHMW at Piedmont Plastics

Virgin UHMW, also known as UHMW-PE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene), is a tough and durable plastic used in a wide range of industries. This high-performance thermoplastic is especially popular in food and beverage processing, bottling and canning, conveying systems, material handling, and packaging. As a machinable material, UHMW plastic is versatile, easy to work with, and offers long-lasting performance, even in demanding environments.

Available in plastic rod, plastic sheet, and plastic tube form, UHMW outperforms traditional materials like metal, wood, and nylon when it comes to abrasion resistance and impact strength. Its slick surface and low coefficient of friction help reduce equipment wear, lower energy use, and minimize maintenance costs. UHMW sheet can also handle extreme temperatures from as low as -22°F (-30°C) up to 180°F (82°C) without losing its physical properties.

Thanks to its natural lubricity and resistance to moisture, UHMW is ideal for industrial applications such as conveyor wear strips, truck bed liners, star wheels, valves, and food service components. It's also FDA and USDA compliant, making it safe for use in food-related environments.

As a trusted plastic supplier and plastic sheet distributor, Piedmont Plastics offers a wide selection of UHMW plastic in various sizes, thicknesses, and colors. We also provide custom cut-to-size services to meet your specific needs.

Need help choosing the right UHMW sheet, rod, or tube? Contact Piedmont Plastics today for expert guidance and industrial plastic solutions that work!

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Key Features of UHMW

UHMW offers numerous benefits that make it a top-performing material in a variety of uses. Below are some of its most notable features:

Abrasion and Moisture Resistance: With a molecular weight ranging from 3.1 million to 100 million grams per mole, UHMW exhibits exceptional resistance to abrasion and moisture absorption, with abrasion resistance improving as its molecular weight increases.
Durability and Cost-Efficiency: Virgin UHMW is a highly durable, cost-efficient material with superior impact and chemical resistance.
Toughness and Low Friction: UHMW’s toughness, low coefficient of friction, and inherent lubricity make it ideal for high-friction applications. These qualities help reduce maintenance costs and energy consumption while extending the life of the equipment.
Temperature Resilience: UHMW performs well in a temperature range of up to 180°F (82°C) and maintains its physical properties at temperatures as low as -22°F (-30°C).
Chemical Resistance and Machinability: An FDA and USDA-compliant material, virgin UHMW is chemical-resistant and easy to machine.

Due to these features, UHMW is extremely useful and has become a popular choice for a variety of industrial applications.

Benefits of UHMW

Known for its extremely high molecular weight, UHMW boasts superior impact and chemical resistance that allow it to flourish in even the harshest environments. Its toughness, low coefficient of friction, and inherent lubricity make UHMW ideal for many high-stress applications. Contact us to receive expert guidance in finding the right UHMW material!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about UHMW? Our FAQs cover the essentials to help you make informed decisions.

UHMW PE is commonly used for wear parts, liners, and components that require high impact and abrasion resistance.

Both versions are highly durable, impact-resistant, and low-friction. However, reprocessed UHMW is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, making it ideal for applications that do not require FDA or USDA compliance.

Yes, many grades are FDA, USDA, and NSF compliant, making them suitable for food processing and packaging.

UHMW can be cut using standard tools such as band saws or table saws with carbide-tipped blades. Piedmont Plastics also offers cut-to-size services upon request.

Yes, it has excellent resistance to a wide range of chemicals, including most acids and bases.

Common UHMW grades include virgin, reprocessed, anti-static, FDA compliant, glass-filled, oil-filled, enhanced bearing and wear, metal and x-ray detectable.

Why Buy UHMW from Piedmont Plastics?

At Piedmont Plastics, we offer industry-leading solutions across countless industries. Our team of dedicated industrial specialists are ready to identify the best materials, so let our experts help you find the perfect UHMW product for your unique application.

Here's what sets us apart:

Extensive Product Range: We offer a wide selection of UHMW sheet, rod, and tube in various sizes, thicknesses, lengths, and colors to meet the demands of multiple industries and applications.
Custom Cutting and Fabrication: Using state-of-the-art CNC equipment, we deliver UHMW parts tailored to your exact design and performance requirements.
Trusted Industry Knowledge: With decades of hands-on experience, our team provides expert support to help you choose the right UHMW solution for your project.
Nationwide Accessibility: Our network of branches across North America ensures quick and convenient access to UHMW and other top-quality performance plastics.
Reliable Product Quality: Every UHMW product we offer is held to strict quality standards, delivering dependable performance and lasting durability.