UHMW Plastic | UHMW-PE | Piedmont Plastics

Common Properties

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

Physical Properties

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

Electrical Properties

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

Mechanical Properties

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

Thermal Properties

CTE, linear 20010^-6 in/in/°F
CTE, linear, Transverse to Flow 20010^-6 in/in/°F
Deflection Temperature at 0.46 MPa (66 psi) 80°C
Deflection Temperature at 1.8 MPa (264 psi) 50°C
Vicat Softening Point 90°C
Flammability, UL94 HB
Max Continuous Operating Temperature in F 180°F
Minimum Operating Temperature in F - 150°F
Thermal Conductivity 0.41W/m·K

Regulations

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

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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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.