Key Questions to Ask When Ordering Uhmwpe Plastics Plates

What is UHMW-PE?

UHMW-PE stands for Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. It is the highest quality polyethylene (PE) available, engineered for tough jobs and a wide range of applications. It delivers savings in a number of difficult applications. Ultra High Molecular Weight is the secret of this polymer's unique properties. Its high-density polyethylene resin has a molecular weight range of 3 to 6 million, compared to 300,000 to 500,000 for high molecular weight (HMW) resins. That difference is what ensures that this material is strong enough to withstand abrasion and impact better than lower level poly products. UHMW-PE's high molecular weight means it will not melt or flow as a molten liquid. Processing methods are therefore derived from those of powder metal technology. UHMW-PE cannot be transformed and molded by conventional plastic processing techniques (injection molding, blow molding or thermoforming). Compression molding is the most common conversion process used with this resin because it produces a stronger, more consistent product.

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What is TIVAR®?

TIVAR® is the brand name (from Poly-Hi) for a special formulation of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE). UHMW-PE is a unique family of high-density polyethylene with a molecular weight 3 million or higher. UHMW-PE is a high performance polymer with a high melt viscosity that can be extruded, fabricated or compression molded.

What does TIVAR® stand for?

TIVAR® is an acronym for Tough Inert Very Abrasion Resistant.

What are the key properties of TIVAR® UHMW-PE?

TIVAR® is known for its high abrasion resistance, natural lubrication, high impact strength, chemical-, corrosion-, and moisture-resistance and acoustic impedance.

Why use TIVAR®?

Due to its abrasion-, corrosion-, chemical- and moisture-resistant properties, TIVAR® is commonly used in applications where conditions may be too harsh for other materials. It is a cost-effective high performance polymer used to produce low cost, high quality parts.

How does TIVAR® compare to other materials?

In most cases, TIVAR® will out-wear materials such as Nylon, Teflon® or Acetal. It can also outperform metals such as steel and aluminum when used in the proper applications. Material performance is of course dependent on the specific environmental conditions.

Where is UHMW used?

UHMW is a self-lubricating material which exhibits excellent wear and abrasion properties as well as adding extremely high impact strength. A few of the markets which would utilize these attributes would be snowboard bottoms, package handling, packaging, food processing and automotive.

What are the benefits of UHMW-PE?

The high molecular weight is what gives UHMW-PE a unique combination of high impact strength efficient of friction and abrasion resistance that outwears carbon steel 10 to 1 making it more suitable for applications where lower molecular weight grades fail.

Are UHMW-PE USDA and FDA approved?

Yes, UHMW-PE is both FDA and USDA approved for use in food processing and medical applications.

How do you differentiate UHMW from HDPE?

There are three tests you can perform:

1. Burn Test ' light it with a match and smell the smoke. If it smells like candle wax ' that indicates polyethylene. UHMW does not drip as readily as HDPE but it will drip.
2. Oven Test ' place it in an aluminum dish in a 300 degree oven. Regular HDPE will slump or melt but UHMW will not change size or shape. However, it could warp or distort due to built in stresses.
3. Saw Test ' When cut with a saw, regular HDPE gives sawdust or filings while UHMW gives strings or nothing.

What is the temperature range of UHMW?

UHMW-PE can operate continuously up to 180 degrees F and intermittently at 200 degrees F with custom blends available to enhance the temperature range up to 300 degrees F. UHMW-PE can perform without degradation at extremely low temperatures (-452 degrees F).

What are the heat characteristics of UHMW?

The sustained high temperature use is 180 degrees F and the intermittent use is 200 degrees F.

Does UHMW degrade at higher temperatures?

Not for short times but for longer times above 200 degrees F it loses mechanical properties, abrasion and impact.

What chemicals affect UHMW?

Water solutions are generally safe except highly oxidizing chemicals such as bleach. Hydrocarbons such as gasoline, kerosene, oil and grease cause swelling. Chlorinated solvents cause swelling. Organic alcohols, ketones and acids have little effect.

How does the environment affect UHMW?

• Wind ' no effect
• Rain or sea water ' no effect
• Sun without protection ' depends on thickness and location. The thicker the better. In Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, and other desert areas ' less than one year.

What is the flammability of UHMW?

UHMW has no UL recognition. It would be HB on UL-1 ' that is slow burning (less than 3' per minute).

How can you tell if a sample of UHMW contains regrind?

It is hard to tell ' maybe some black or other colored specks might be present. The only way to determine is by a sand slurry test. After that test, it would tend to feel stiffer or harder. There may be some increase in modules. If the resin has been reprocessed many times, abrasion and impact resistance can greatly affected.

Can UHMW be used for underwater applications?.

Yes, UHMW does not absorb water and is chemically inert.

How does UHMW protect metal from wearing away?

UHMW has the highest abrasion resistance of any thermoplastic polymer. When used as a wear liner, UHMW will not cake or stick to metal. It also offers excellent noise abatement in material handling applications.

Is it necessary to grease or oil UHMW?

No, UHMW is a self-lubricating polymer and requires no additional lubrication.

Is UHMW affected by cryogenics?

Hydrogen and nitrogen don't affect it, but oxygen could.

Are there any high performance blends that can be added to UHMW-PE?

UHMW manufacturers have done extensive research on numerous additives that can enhance a property of UHMW-PE thereby providing customized products to meet customer requirements.

Is TIVAR® H.O.T weldable?

Yes

Is TIVAR® H.O.T available in other colors?

No, only pigmented white (the standard, stock color) and black FDA can be made. For black, minimum order amounts would apply. Other colors would bleed out at higher temperatures, and therefore something you would want to avoid.

What other colors of UHMW-PE are available?

While natural (milky white) and black are standard stock colors, UHMW-PE can be produced in a variety of Pantone colors.

Does TIVAR® melt or freeze?

Although TIVAR® never actually melts, it will begin to lose its excellent properties at a temperature of 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). TIVAR® will generally perform very well down to cryogenic temperatures, but like other plastics, it will expand and contract with variations in temperatures.

Is UHMW available in a conductive or anti-static form?

UHMW can be manufactured in conductive or anti-static forms making it ideal for use in electronics and semi conductor applications.

Is UHMW UV stable?

In its natural state, UHMW-PE is not UV stable, but formulations are available to provide UV stability in natural, black or any custom color.

Many people ask: can I coat UHMW on wear surfaces?

No, you can't coat UHMW on because of two reasons: It does not melt to form a continuous surface.; It requires pressure to weld all the unmelted particles at high temperatures.

Is there an alternative to coating parts?

Yes, wear tape is a thin film of UHMW with adhesive backing than can be bonded to the surface.

In what form are UHMW-PE film and tape available?

UHMW can be made in films .003' through .125' thick in continuous coil from ¼' up to 24' wide and cut to length in pieces and in stamped parts.

What kind of tolerances can you get with TIVAR®?

Tolerance levels are dependent on the manufacturing method and part design. Contact us for specific technical data.

Can UHMW be ultrasonically welded?

Yes, again the process is much like regular HDPE. Thick sections of UHMW may be more difficult than HDPE because of lower modules. If the plastic is softer, like UHMW, more attenuation of the ultrasonic energy occurs.

Can UHMW be thermal welded?

Yes, it behaves much like regular HDPE. The minimum temperature is 400 degrees F and the minimum pressure of 300 psi is highly recommended.

What percentage of parent strength of UHMW can be attained?

0.8%.

Can adhesives be used to secure UHMW liners?

Not for most applications. The reason is the large difference between the coefficient of thermal expansion of metal and UHMW puts high stresses on the bond if the bond encounters temperature extremes.

What are my installation options for UHMW?

There are two methods of adhering ' the use of pressure sensitive systems (peel and stick) and allowing UHMW-PE to be bonded using epoxy systems or contact cements. A traditional metal mechanical fastening can also be used if preferred.

Can UHMW be formed into a curved liner?

Bending or folding sheet can be done efficiently above the melt point  at 300 degrees F. At that temperature, it shapes easily. However, it must be fastened in the bent or folded position until cooled.

How thick should UHMW liners be?

The minimum UHMW thickness is usually 1/4'. The liner should be thicker in impact areas and thinner in slide areas. Important notes: UHMW cannot be firmly fastened to metals because of a large difference in thermal expansion. UHMW expands five times as fast as steel and three times as fast as aluminum and about the same as wood but slightly more than concrete.

What is the best way to secure UHMW liners to metal?

Fasteners are the best way to secure UHMW to metal. The UHMW must be allowed to expand or float. Large flat head fasteners must be used. Fastener shaft holes in UHMW must be over-sized to allow for sheet expansion and contraction.

Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW) sheets are gradually gaining prominence across various industries requiring materials with high strength, durability and chemical resistance. Compared to traditional plastics, UHMW sheets manifest exceptional properties like abrasion resistance, low friction coefficient and impact resistance {UHMW sheets benefits}.

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As demands grow for lightweight and reliable materials in manufacturing, UHMW rises as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to metals or wood. Global UHMW sheets market is projected to reach $1.8 billion by , at an annual growth rate of 9.4% from to (Allied Market Research).

Hence an in-depth comparison of UHMW's properties {UHMW plastic properties} with existing thermoplastics is meaningful for both engineers and procurement managers innovating this versatile material into their production line or end-products. This article provides a detailed feature-by-feature analysis on how UHMW polyethylene {UHMW polyethylene applications} fares across key parameters and helps identify the right fit for specific applications.

What are UHMW Sheets?

UHMW belongs to the broader family of polyethylene plastics, but with an ultra high molecular weight (3.1 to 6 million g/mol) that sets it apart. These long polymer chains bolster UHMW with exceptional strength and resistance capacities suited for the most demanding applications.

Some standout properties of UHMW sheets are:

• Extreme abrasion resistance, beyond other engineering plastics
  • Up to 250 times of HDPE, 500 times for polypropylene
• Low coefficient of friction
  • Static COF: 0.1 to 0.3, Dynamic COF: 0.03 to 0.3
• High impact strength
  • No break upto -150°C, suitably performing at sub-zero temperatures
• Lightweight, EASY to fabricate into components
• Excellent chemical resistance to acids, bases, alcohols etc
• Weathering resistance, stable against UV rays, moisture etc
• Bio-inertness

Owing to this exclusive combination of features, UHMW sheets find widespread use in parts and components exposed to friction, corrosion, harsh weather elements or requiring to withstand impact. This includes materials handling equipment, dock fenders, star-wheels, conveyor side guards, processing machine parts amongst others. Further sections analyze how UHMW sheets fare when compared to other competing plastics.

Comparison with Other Plastics

UHMW vs Acrylic

Acrylic is a popular material when optical clarity and UV resistance are vital, for applications like signboards, aquariums, lenses or lighting fixtures. {UHMW versus acrylic} But UHMW trumps heavily in mechanical strengths.

UHMW sheets {UHMW sheets durability} have outstanding abrasion resistance that acrylic lacks, causing the latter to become stress cracked and opaque under repeated surface wear conditions. UHMW retains dimensional stability and functionally even when dragged over abrasive belt surfaces over long durations. This is vital in parts like conveyor side guards, hopper liners for movement of hard minerals, blast booth wall protection applications demanding wear resistance under heavy friction conditions etc. Tests have revealed UHMW sheets to demonstrate abrasion resistance of 4-10 times that of acrylic material.

Further, UHMW's {UHMW sheets resistance properties} resistance to corrosive chemicals and most solvents gives it an edge over acrylic's higher susceptibility when chemical contact is involved. Acrylic tends to crack easily upon exposure to chemicals like acetone, methylene chloride or dimethyl formamide that UHMW withstands.

That said, acrylic continues to be a choice material when optical clarity is required, like in sterile transparent panels or green house glazing applications. {UHMW sheets cost comparison} But UHMW steals the show in mechanical wear performance - vital for parts seeing high friction contact.

UHMW vs HDPE

{UHMW and HDPE comparison} - High density polyethylene is known for excellent chemical resistance properties. Combined with low coefficient of friction, HDPE sees widespread use in the bottle, container and packaging industry. {UHMW environmental impact}

However HDPE has much lower abrasion and scratch resistance capacities compared to UHMW. On relative scale, UHMW demonstrates nearly 100-250 times the wear strength of HDPE material. Thus while HDPE suffices for packaging applications seeing limited mechanical wear, UHMW is the material of choice where friction and scratch resistance are vital - like in conveyor side guards, chute/hopper liners, gear wheels etc.

Further, UHMW demonstrates {UHMW sheets industrial use} superior low temperature impact strength retaining good tensile strength even at cryogenic temperatures as low as -150°C. HDPE turns brittle and gets fracture prone upon lower temperature exposure below -60°C.

Thus UHMW demonstrates better versatility - combining chemical inertness for which HDPE is known - while also possessing mechanical strengths much higher.

UHMW vs Polycarbonate and PVC

{UHMW sheets vs polycarbonate} - Polycarbonate is a high performing clear amorphous thermoplastic. Optical clarity combined with high impact strength and heat resistance makes polycarbonate a good choice for applications like machine covers, lenses, transparent sheeting.

{UHMW vs PVC} - PVC or Polyvinyl chloride offers excellent corrosion resistance like UHMW, which when combined with low cost, makes it attractive for the construction industry - pipes, window frames, door / window fittings like handles etc.

But {UHMW plastic strength} UHMW sheets outperform both polycarbonate and PVC on parameters like tensile/compressive strength, rigidity, abrasion resistance and bearing strength. UHMW offers 2-10 times the abrasion and wear resistance of polycarbonate and PVC, thus proving more long lasting in mechanically wearing conditions. Tests reveal that UHMW retains functionality despite loss of 250 times more volume material loss to wear, compared to PVC and acrylic plastics.

{UHMW sheets cost comparison} Further, while initial material price per pound of UHMW is higher than polycarbonate and PVC, the exponential lifecycle cost gains due to exceptional operational durability provide better value over longer term.

Unique Advantages of UHMW Sheets

We observed how UHMW sheets fare comparably or outperform acrylic, HDPE, polycarbonate and PVC on several vital parameters. But what truly sets UHMW apart is some unique value offerings:

• Abrasion Resistance - UHMW demonstrates abrasion resistance upto hundreds of times stronger than competing plastics. This contributes to exceptionally long working lifespans over 30-40 years in abrasive conditions.
• Impact Resistance - With high strength retention even as temperatures dip to sub-zero ranges, UHMW provides consistent impact resistance performance over a wide working temperature range of '150°C to +80°C.
• Chemical Resistance - Broad chemical compatibility allows use of UHMW parts in chemical transport, storage equipment - resisting exposure to acids, alkalis, ethanol, fuels etc.
• Noise Dampening - Up to 20-25% lower noise ranges during functioning compared to metals - an additional side benefit.
• Bio-inertness - No reactivity or leaching into food media as per FDA compliance enables extensive usage replacing stainless steel in food production equipment.

Above advantages make UHMW a high performing substitute choice invading traditional metal, wood and alloy applications across industries. Custom potential through machining or molding capacities contributes to its growing appeal.

{UHMW plastic sustainability} Further, easy disposability after use and recycling without deterioration of properties grant UHMW environmentally responsible credentials.

Applications and Versatility

We saw UHMW's expanding penetration as an effective alternative dislodging hazardous plastics, conventional materials like wood, rubber, steel from demanding applications. A few areas worth highlighting where UHMW brings tremendous value are:

Food Processing - Compliant for direct food contact as per FDA, UHMW offers corrosion resistance replacing metals combined with mechanical wear strength vital for equipment life. Used in extruders, slicers, dicers, conveyors etc.

Mining - Hopper, chute, screen and vibrating equipment liners benefit from UHMW's shielding against highly abrasive ores/minerals handled.

Chemical Transport - Whole tanker bodies, valves, seals being actively replaced by custom molded UHMW parts, preventing cross contamination while offering structural reliability.

{UHMW sheets uses} From telescope mirror covers needing scratch protection, to field research station wall panels in Antarctica able to withstand freezing temperatures, to portable synthetic ice rink surfaces, UHMW demonstrates versatile utility across vastly different engineering domains.

{UHMW applications in engineering} design also gain from UHMW's lubricant-free movement as well as noise dampening abilities. Expanding customization and secondary fabrication potential enables meeting specific user requirements.

Cost and Manufacturing Considerations

{UHMW sheets cost comparison} Against perception of plastic solutions being low-cost, UHMW sheets come at a higher initial purchasing price than competing plastics. However the exponential gains in operational lifespan and low replacement frequency offset this initial investment.

Industry pricing of standard UHMW sheets - 2m x 1m of 10mm thickness, range within US$ 250-400 per sheet. Compared to other materials (metals, fiberglass) for equivalent sized sheets/plates used in high wearability applications, UHMW remains overall economical choice considering lifecycle.

On manufacturing front, choice of quality assurance and sustainability practices by producers merits consideration:

• UHMW manufacturers with in-house resin production offer consistency versus compounding from external resin sources
• {UHMW sheets quality comparison} Quality certifications like FDA, REACH, RoHS signal controlled and standardized manufacturing practices
• {UHMW plastic sustainability} Environmentally responsible production - non-toxic emissions, recycling practices etc add value

Procurement decision makers stand to gain by factoring these aspects influencing quality, replacement cycles and ESG performance.

Manufacturing & Disposal Considerations

An important contributor to UHMW sheets' growing appeal is the relative ease and environment-friendliness related to both manufacture as well as post-use disposal.

Manufacturing

• Base polyethylene resin manufacture uses heat, pressure and Ziegler-Natta catalysts
• Sheets made through calendaring and compression molding offer dimensional stability
• Ease of custom fabricating - machining, laser cutting, welding, secondary molding
• {UHMW sheets manufacturing} Consistent quality output aided by process automation

Disposal

{UHMW plastic sustainability} Sustainable virtues are:

• Recyclability - Capability to reprocess and repurpose post-use UHMW instead of landfill waste
• Non-toxic - Free of additives like plasticizers or BPA, avoids soil/groundwater contamination
• {UHMW environmental impact} Chemically inert, non-hazardous emissions when incinerated
• Low carbon footprint relative to traditional materials like metals/alloys

Thus UHMW scores on safe recyclability and environmentally clean exit from usable lifecycle.

Through a detailed comparison of material properties, performance metrics and end-application fitment analysis, this guide aims to develop an understanding into:

• The composition and properties of UHMW sheets
• How they compare against workhorse plastics - acrylic, HDPE, polycarbonate and PVC
• The unique advantages UHMW presents over competing materials
• Diverse expanding application landscape for UHMW sheets
• Cost, manufacturing & sustainability considerations

Engineers exploring UHMW as a high-strength substitute even in demanding applications can make an informed adoption decision based on above comparative understanding.

{UHMW sheets for specific industries} With custom fabricating ease, recyclability and long operational lifespan, UHMW sheet usage continues strong growth across industries like bulk materials handling, food processing, mining, transportation, sports infrastructure etc.

FAQs

Q1. How easy or difficult is it to machine UHMW sheets into custom parts compared to metals and fiberglass? 

Q2. Which plastic would last longer in an outdoor application - UHMW or Polycarbonate? How do their weathering resistances compare?

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