Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene UHMWPE sheet
UHMW-PE is defined as polyethylene whose molecular weight is 3.1 million or higher. When making this determination, it was found that physical properties increased rapidly as lower MW values increased, and then leveled off at the 3,100,000 value. As with most high-performance polymers, processing of UHMW-PE is not easy. Because of its high melt viscosity, conventional molding and extrusion processes would break the long molecular chains that give the material its excellent properties. Current manufacturing methods include compression molding, ram extrusion and warm forging of extruded slugs. UHMW-PE has outstanding abrasion resistance and an extremely low coefficient of friction. Impact strength is high and chemical resistance is excellent.
UHMWPE Sheet Advantages
How well does UHMWPE Sheet perform?
UHMWPE sheet has an incredible resistance to abrasion. It will outperform almost any engineering plastic for abrasion resistance and is probably one of the best materials for lining chutes and hoppers for products such as sand, aggregate and concrete or any other highly abrasive moving product.
Another important property is it's incredibly low co-efficient of friction. It is one of the lowest of all engineering plastics and will produce components with a very high life span with very low drag, which means very little will stick to it. Its also resistant to many dilute acids, solvents and cleaning agents.
UHMWPE has a maximum continuous operating temperature of plus 90°C and a short term operating temperature of plus 120°C. Its a very tough material, with the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic presently made.
What is UHMWPE Sheet used for?
Because UHMWPE sheet has excellent abrasion resistance it is often used for lining chutes and hoppers in aggressive and highly abrasive environments, which is why you’ll find it at the quarry. Its also found in food production environments where high volumes of containers like cans or bottles need to be guided along conveyors or production lines.
Because it has very low moisture absorption, it is also found in some high demand areas of marine applications. UHMWPE is also sometimes used in some cryogenic components due to its low operating temperature abilities.
Due to its resistance to wear and impact, UHMWPE continues to find increasing industrial applications, including the automotive, manufacturing and bottling sectors.
Summary of UHMWPE sheet
Is UHMWPE Safe for food applications?
Natural grade UHMWPE is FDA approved.
What is the wear resistance of UHMWPE Sheet like?
UHMWPE sheet is highly resistant to abrasion, in some forms being 15 times more resistant to abrasion than carbon steel.
Chemical resistance
It is highly resistant to corrosive chemicals except oxidizing acids.
What is interesting about UHMWPE Sheet
UHMWPE sheet can also be obtained in a regenerated grade that can offer almost identical performance to virgin grade UHMWPE sheet, but at a reduced price to help some projects that are on a budget, there are some application restrictions but its worth checking out our pe1000.
Unique characteristics
Its coefficient of friction is significantly lower than that of nylon and acetal, and is comparable to that of PTFE, or Teflon. The surface of UHMWPE can be described as very slippery or even waxy.
Size range, colours, and availability
Our UHMWPE sheet is available in two common sizes: 2000mm X 1000mm and 3000mm X 1250mm. It is available in thicknesses ranging from 2mm thick up to and including 250mm thick. This plastic sheet is available in natural colour which can also be described as white, as well as black and green.
Why should you choose UHMWPE Sheet?
What makes UHMWPE such a distinctive and useful engineering plastic is its combination of excellent properties, which are; outstanding abrasion resistance, superior impact resistance, non-sticking and self-lubricating and excellent mechanical properties, even in cryogenic conditions.
