How to Choose Uhmwpe Plastics Plates?

10 Mar.,2025

 

Which UHMW Properties Are Best for You? - Slideways Inc.

UHMW (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) plastic is the choice material for conveyors and packaging machinery. Its unique properties, ease of fabrication, and low-cost make it the optimal selection for this industry. Its ability to handle abrasion, impact, corrosive cleaning solutions, and wet environments enables UHMW to stand up to extensive wear and tear. Additionally, its dampening properties reduce conveyor noise and vibration. Made in large sheets for big or long parts, UHMW machines easily and can be extruded into complex profiles with thick or thin cross-sections. All these attributes make UHMW a great option for machine builders and maintenance personnel that are concerned with price, extending the life of initial installations, and repairs.

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Though it seems like the perfect material, applications can cross the performance limits of Natural UHMW. Conveyor speeds are faster than ever putting more heat and stress on wear strips.  Fortunately, UHMW is a great foundation to build upon. Additives can be blended with the UHMW resin that address heat, static, speed, load, and other operating conditions. Other specialized UHMW materials can be recognized by x-ray and metal detectors to protect food manufacturers from recalls. There is even UV-resistant UHMW for outdoor applications.

Here are the most common UHMW properties found in conveyors and packaging machinery:

1. Natural UHMW

  • The base material
  • Color: White   
  • FDA Compliant? Yes
Typical applications: Corner and Straight Tracks for flat top chain, chain guides, belt guides, pulleys, bearings, and custom machined components.

2. Repro (Reprocessed) UHMW

  • Contains 50% recycled UHMW
  • Color: Black or Green, may have multi-colored flecks  
  • FDA Compliant? No

Typical applications: Same as Natural UHMW, no additional attributes.

3. High-Temp UHMW (HT-UHMW)

  • Increases the maximum operating temperature from 180°F for Natural UHMW to 280°F
  • Color: White  
  • FDA Compliant? Yes

Typical applications: High-Temp UHMW is great for conveyor sections near ovens, steam tunnels, heat shrink tunnels, and anywhere heat will reduce the wear resistance of other plastics. HT-UHMW has been machined into components, chain guides, and SlideTrax plastic chain tracks for flat-top chain. Before High-Temp UHMW was available, Nylon could get you to a max operating temp of 220°F with Teflon being the next choice at 500°F. However, compared to UHMW, Teflon has a 10X price premium and not nearly the wear resistance or compressive strength of UHMW.

4. Oil-Filled UHMW

  • Reduces friction with fluid lubricant throughout the plastic 
  • Color: Gray   
  • FDA Compliant? Yes
Typical applications: Used in areas of conveyors that see higher speeds or additional pressure such as bearings and corner tracks since these sections can benefit from additional lubrication. Lubricant is homogeneously dispersed throughout the UHMW, so when parts are machined or become worn down, fresh lubrication is exposed at the surface.

5. Lub-X® C

  • Reduces friction with a dry lubricant dispersed throughout the plastic 
  • Color: Light Blue   
  • FDA Compliant? Yes
Typical Applications: We recommend this material for conveyors with multiple turns or tight radii and for areas of conveyors seeing higher speeds and loads. It has a very low coefficient of friction vs. acetal. This makes Lub-X® C an excellent choice for Slidetrax chain track curves where an acetal-based flat-top chain is being used. Since the lubricant is dry as opposed to wet, it will not attract dust making it suitable for areas where there is no washdown.

6. Glass-Bead Filled UHMW

  • Glass-beads increase the surface hardness of UHMW 
  • Color: Lime Green or Dark Blue   
  • FDA Compliant? No

Typical Applications: This material is most often used in facilities that bottle in glass and in abrasive applications like cement block plants. The increased surface hardness reduces the embedment of abrasive particles that could increase the wear rates of mating parts such as belts or chains. The glass content also increases the load capacity of the UHMW.

7. Electro-Static Dissipative (ESD UHMW)

  • Relieves conveyors of static charge 
  • Color: Black 
  • FDA Compliant? No

Typical Applications: ESD UHMW wear strips are a good way to relieve static charge from a conveyor system. This material has carbon throughout the material to move the charge to ground. V-belt and round belt guides are often made of this material.

8. Clean-Stat&#; UHMW

  • This is an ESD UHMW that is food safe  
  • Color: White     
  • FDA Compliant? Yes
Typical Applications: Excellent for chutes where dry, dusty foods like breakfast cereals and grains need to be transported in bulk. Clean-Stat&#; material will keep loads sliding smoothly with no static build-up.

9. UV-Stabilized UHMW

  • Provides 3X longer life in direct sunlight as compared to Natural UHMW
  • Color: Black  
  • FDA Compliant? No

Typical Applications: For use on outdoor conveyor systems and agricultural applications. A recent application was a conveyor bringing inner-tubes to the top of a tall waterslide.

Detectable UHMWs

The next three detectable UHMW properties have become commonplace for food safety applications. Detectable materials are targeted towards applications that come into direct contact with food or food packaging. All three of these UHMW materials can reduce the risk of food contaminated with plastic particles being shipped to customers eliminating a recall before it happens.

10. Blue Virgin UHMW

  • For visual detection of plastic particles during food processing
  • Color: Blue   
  • FDA Compliant? Yes
Typical Applications: This material is used for return rollers, wear strips, belt supports, and belt guides. The blue color makes it visually detectable in food products.

11. Metal-Detectable UHMW

  • Metal content in this UHMW allows metal detectors to sense particles as small as 3mm cubes
  • Color: Dark Blue    
  • FDA Compliant? Yes

Typical Applications: Metal-Detectable UHMW is optimal for use around bulk and packaged food including conveyor components, wear strips, belt scrapers, or other parts that may break over time creating particles that can contaminate food. This material cannot be detected in metal packaging.

12. X-Ray Detectable UHMW

  • Contains x-ray detectable fillers that can be picked up by x-ray machines in particles as small as 3mm cubes
  • Color: Blue    
  • FDA Compliant? Yes


Typical Applications: This technology can be used to find plastic contamination even inside metal containers, so it is most often used for packaged foods. Applications for x-ray detectable UHMW include conveyor components, mixer paddles, wear strips, and belt scrapers or other parts that may break over time causing particles that can contaminate food.

UHMW properties are versatile and are well-suited for packaging machinery and conveyor applications. The next time you have a challenging application that is beyond the performance limits of Natural UHMW, consider one of the other formulations. The right choice of material will reduce friction and increase the usable life of your machinery.

UHMW Sheets: A Comprehensive Comparison to Other Plastics

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}.

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.

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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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