Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) is a type of plastic classified as an engineering plastic.
Due to its excellent durability and lowest friction, it is used as a material for machine parts such as gears and guide rails, as well as hoppers, etc. We manufacture ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene adhesive tape.
In this article, we will explain the characteristics and uses of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, as well as how it differs from fluororesin.

With competitive price and timely delivery, SL Tec sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

What is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene?

Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene refers to polyethylene whose &#; &#; molecular &#; &#; weight has been increased from the usual 20,000 to 300,000 to 1 to 7 million .
It is also sometimes called "UHMW-PE," "UHMW," "U-PE," or "UPE," which are the initials of its official name.
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is a synthetic resin classified as a thermoplastic resin, and is one of the engineering plastics.
Because it has excellent abrasion resistance and lowest friction second only to fluororesin, it is used as a material for machine parts such as gears and guide rails, as well as hoppers.

Characteristics of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (advantages and disadvantages)

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has the following characteristics:

Benefits

-Excellent lowest friction and abrasion resistance

Its main features are its excellent lowest friction and abrasion resistance. It can be used for a long time in sliding applications because there is little risk of it being scratched or scraped.

&#;Excellent impact resistance

It has extremely high impact resistance, exceeding that of polycarbonate (PC).

&#;Excellent chemical resistance

Its stable molecular structure also provides excellent chemical resistance, allowing it to be used in environments where liquids or chemicals are used.

&#;Excellent water absorption

Its water absorption rate is low at less than 0.01 %, making it an ideal material for areas where water is used.

Disadvantages

Not suitable for high temperatures

The maximum operating temperature for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is generally 80°C, making it unsuitable for use in high temperature environments.
However, it can be used in low temperature environments down to -100°C.

- Large linear expansion coefficient

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has a large linear expansion coefficient, so it is not suitable for places where sudden temperature changes occur.

Not suitable for adhesive processing

Because of its high self-lubrication, it is difficult to bond with dissimilar materials, so be careful when combining it with other parts or materials, as you will need to carefully consider the design beforehand.

Main applications of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene

Taking advantage of its excellent properties, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is used for a wide range of applications.
It is mainly used in applications where it has high wear resistance and self-lubrication.

&#; Gears
&#; Guide rail
&#; Roller
&#; Liner
&#;Food machinery
&#; Hopper
&#; Marine rope

Introduction of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene tape

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is used for a variety of purposes, and in addition to being used as molded products such as machine parts, it is often processed into films and adhesive tapes.
When used as an adhesive tape, it can be partially imparted with the properties of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, making it easy to use in food factories and transportation processes.
We manufacture adhesive tapes made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
Please consider this product if you are looking to partially add the properties of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene!

&#; AUE-112B
This adhesive tape has an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) film base and an acrylic adhesive applied to one side, providing excellent slip resistance.

&#; AUB-112B *Anti-static type
This adhesive tape uses a conductive carbon-containing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) film as a base material, with an acrylic adhesive applied to one side.

These products can be used for the following purposes:

Applications by industry

[Food and Logistics]

By attaching it to the guide of roller conveyors used in food and beverage factories and logistics plants, it prevents products from getting stuck and ensures smooth product transport. It also prevents damage to the products and the guide.
Additionally, in hoppers used in food factories, etc., attaching it to the slope of the material inlet area allows the material to flow smoothly and reduces residue inside the hopper.

&#;car&#;

It is also used in automobile parts due to its excellent abrasion resistance and impact resistance. In automobile applications, it is used in places where it is subject to impact and where lowest friction is required.

&#;others&#;

It is also used on skis and snowboards where lowest friction is required, and in the sliding parts of office equipment.

Differences between ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and fluororesin

The differences between ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and fluororesin are summarized in the table below.
If you are using it in an environment with temperatures between 100&#; and 200&#;, you may want to consider fluororesin (PTFE).
When selecting a material, we recommend that you decide in advance which characteristics are important and then compare them.

*The displayed data is a representative value and is not a quality assurance value.

More information about fluororesin can be found here .
If you are considering a fluororesin adhesive tape instead of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene adhesive tape, we recommend the product below.

&#; ASF-110FR
This adhesive tape has a fluororesin (PTFE) film base and a silicone adhesive applied to one side. It has excellent heat resistance, lowest friction, and chemical resistance.

&#; PTFE Cutting Products

For those considering molded products other than ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, we can also propose PTFE machined products, which are processed by cutting PTFE processing materials into various shapes according to the customer's specifications. These parts can be used in a wide range of fields as they are heat resistance, chemical resistance, and non-stick characteristics parts.

&#; Injection molding products
These are Injection molding products made from various functional engineering plastics, including fluororesin. With our extensive know-how, we can propose the appropriate molded product shape from the design stage onwards.
Representative examples of our achievements include fluororesins (PFA, ETFE, PVDF, ETCFE), engineering plastics/super engineering plastics (PEEK, PSU, 4-6PA, PPS, PEI, etc.), and general-purpose resins (PP, PE, PS, PVC, PBT, etc.).

summary

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is an engineering plastic with excellent characteristics.
Its main features are its excellent lowest friction, abrasion resistance and impact resistance.
Although it is not suitable for use in high temperature environments of 100°C or higher, it is a recommended material for sliding applications in usable temperature environments and for applications requiring resistance to wear and impact.
In addition, our ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene tape is recommended for applications that require partial lowest friction, high abrasion resistance, and impact resistance. If you would like to try it out, please feel free to contact us.

What is UHMWPE Material and How Is It Used?

There are many possibilities available when selecting the appropriate polymers for your special projects, which can make it challenging to make a decision. UHMW plastic could be the best option for you if you&#;re looking for a robust, lightweight, and long-lasting plastic. This plastic, often referred to as Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene frequently goes under the radar and is not widely used by manufacturers and enterprises.

But as it turns out, this plastic is perfect for industrial and commercial uses. For a good reason, too&#;it offers a wealth of advantages over other kinds of plastic available on the market. Look at this:

What is UHMWPE Material?

UHMW stands for Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, as was previously mentioned. This material is robust and adaptable, with good abrasion, impact, and wear resistance while yet being relatively light. The large molecular weight and surface of UHMW&#;between 3 and 6 million molecules&#;are the key to this material&#;s exceptional qualities. Since of this, UHMW is perfect for high-temperature locations because it won&#;t melt or transform into molten liquid.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit UHMWPE Plant.

What is Polyethylene Plastic Used For?

In general, polyethylene plastic has a number of beneficial uses. When precautions must be taken as well, it is appropriate due to its strength and longevity. Let&#;s examine UHMWPE Material and how it may benefit you, spanning a range of commercial and industrial usage.

Automotives

UHMWPE does not meet the criterion since PTFE is often used in automotive applications in high-temperature settings. However, there are a variety of applications where the components function at room temperature, e.g., automobile doors, seats, hand levers, etc., and UHMWPE can find a lot of use here. We are aware that UHMWPE is employed in the worn strip found within automobile doors. UHMWPE wear strips are often a good, affordable substitute for PTFE wear strips.

Infrastructure

Although legal limitations forbid the use of materials other than PTFE in POT bearings, there are several sliding bearing applications that do not comply with government regulations and are thus potential uses for UHMWPE. UHMWPE might be used to make plain sliding pads and sliding bearings successfully.

Electronics

PTFE has historically been utilized as insulation in many electronics component parts. We have successfully tested UHMWPE for these applications in a number of instances and persuaded the customer to switch.

Food Service Cabinetry

Materials used in food service must be simple to sanitize while preventing the growth of mold and germs. Additionally, materials must be durable enough to withstand potentially harsh cleansers. UHMW is robust enough to withstand all kinds of cleansers and is rust-resistant. The best part is that it is available in a variety of finishes, making it simple to match a UHMW food shelf to existing decor.

UHMW polyethylene conveyor system

UHMWPE material is ideally suited for conveyor systems because of its capacity to tolerate high temperatures, frequent stress, and chemical exposure. This material is also perfect for making star wheels for conveyor systems, which hasten and effectively move goods through assembly and sorting processes.

UHMW polyethylene dock

UHMW is frequently used to make docks and dock fenders for a good cause. This material can survive moisture for a long time and is water-resistant. Additionally, it is resistant to abrasion. Thus there is almost little risk that it will sustain damage when boats crash into it when docking.

Boom Trucks and Outrigger Pads

UHMW is frequently used for boom trucks and outrigger pads. UHMWPE Material performs well in these high-stress applications due to its low friction coefficient and excellent impact strength. Outrigger pads can prevent cranes and boom trucks from slipping on unsteady construction sites. Furthermore, UHMWPE Material performs well outdoors since it can withstand a broad range of temperatures.

UHMW Polyethylene Body armor

It might surprise you to hear that impact resistance makes UHMW plastic the perfect material for body armor. Additionally, it is flexible and lightweight, which makes it pleasant to wear and allows it to be twisted into the various sizes and forms required to shape armor properly.

The advantages of UHMWPE include, but are not limited to:

• Excellent stress resistance and strong fracture resistance
• 15 times more resistant to abrasion than carbon steel in terms of wear resistance
• Its 40% stronger yarns than Aramid
• Its excellent chemical resistance makes it extremely resistant to the majority of alkalis and acids, organic solvents, degreasers, and electrolytic assault
• It is harmless.
• Outstanding dielectric characteristics
• Very low coefficient of friction and self-lubricating (comparable to PTFE)
• Non-staining
• Endorsed by the FDA for use in food and medicine
• Will float in water due to low specific gravity.

Although this can seem like the perfect material, there are a few drawbacks you need to be aware of. UHMWPE is not appropriate for high-temperature applications since it has a lower melting point (297° to 305° F) than several popular polymers. It also has a low coefficient of friction, which may be a disadvantage depending on the application.

Under steady stress, UHMWPE Material yarns can also experience &#;creep,&#; which is a progressive elongation of the fibers. Some individuals would see the cost as a drawback, but with UHMWPE, less really is more. Given this material&#;s robustness, you wouldn&#;t need to purchase as much as you could with other materials.

Still unsure if UHMWPE is the best material for your product? For the benefit of our clients, Service Thread creates and provides engineered yarns and sewing threads to address product and processing issues. We weave proactive, individualized service throughout all we do. Get in touch with us to learn which fiber is suitable for your application.

Final Thoughts

UHMW can be the ideal choice for you if you&#;re looking for a new abrasion-resistant plastic or need one that will last for a long period. Looking at a few of the practical uses that highlight these advantages can encourage you to choose UHMWPE Material for your upcoming project. Please visit the website of Petron Thermoplast and learn more about the product online.

For more information, please visit MMA Plant.