UHMW-PE has both the highest abrasion and impact resistance of virtually any plastic available today. Put this together with a low coefficient of friction and a self-lubricating, non-stick surface and you have a polymer that has an unlimited number of industrial applications.

Natural and reprocessed grades are still the most common, but special and premium grades are becoming more popular. When certain properties are required for an application, modifications can be made with additives and fillers that enhance the desired property. However, it is important to remember that when modifications are made, other properties such as the abrasion resistance or impact strength can be compromised. Simply put, when you gain one property, you typically have to give up something on another. Following are a few of the most common premium grades:

Glass-filled
UHMW-PE filled with glass spheres was first used in the pulp and paper industry as suction box covers. It proved to work extremely well and at only a fraction of the cost of the ceramic covers with which it competed. It was quickly realized that the increased hardness and improved coefficient of thermal expansion was also the answer to many of the flow problems experienced in the bulk material handling industry. The superior abrasion resistance performs well as liners in the handling of coal, sand, gravel, phosphate and fertilizer.

Crosslinked
Crosslinking of UHMW-PE can improve the wear resistance by as much as 30 percent over unmodified grades, while reducing deformation under load. Dimensional stability is improved, but a small decrease in tensile strength is experienced. Ideal applications are those where increased wear resistance is required such as conveyor wear strips and guides, bin and hopper liners.

U.V. Stabilized
The properties of unmodified UHMW-PE can begin to decrease in less that one year when exposed to extreme, direct sunlight. Resistance to light can be increased up to five times with the proper additives. Although typically achieved with carbon, other stabilizers can be used if the product is not desired in a black color. U.V. stabilized UHMW-PE excels in virtually any application where the material is exposed to direct sunlight such as chute, hopper and truck bed liners.

Anti-static
Standard grades of UHMW-PE are non-conductive and will allow static charges to build up on the surface. Additives can easily modify the surface resistivity to a range of 10(5) to 10(9) ohms/square. The conductivity dissipates the static build up when used as conveyor parts and helps protect sensitive products such as circuit boards. You will find this product used extensively in manufacturing processes of electrical components, as well as grain handling and ammunition plants due to its resistance to dust accumulation.

MoS2 filled
Molybdenum disulfide is growing in popularity as an additive since it even further reduces the coefficient of friction. As a dry lubricant, it performs extremely well without attracting dust and dirt. Applications include various conveyor components such as curve tracks and guide rails, as well as nonstick liners and wear plates.

Oil-filled
Food processing and packaging equipment manufacturers commonly use UHMW-PE chain guides, sprockets and curve tracks. When oil-filled UHMW_PE is used in place of standard grades, the parts perform with an even lower coefficient of friction, allowing chains and tracks to move much more easily and quietly. FDA and USDA guidelines are still met; however, dusty environments should be avoided with this product.

Flame retardant
Flame retardant levels that are sufficient to meet MSHA requirements for underground mining can be achieved with the proper additives. The additives tend to slightly reduce the impact and wear resistance, but this product remains one of the best wear resistant polymers available that is flame retardant. Typical applications are wear pads and chain guides in the mining industry.

Heat-stabilized
The continuous operating temperature of unmodified UHMW-PE is generally rated at 180°F. Special additives allow the material to be used in environments up to 300°F while maintaining its inherent abrasion, impact and corrosion resistant properties. Applications include various conveyor components that are exposed to higher temperatures such as with food processing and bakery equipment.

These grades are just a few of the special blends of UHMW-PE. Often a new, custom blend is required to meet the demands of an application. UHMW-PE sheet, rod, tube and profile manufacturers can assist in determining the best product for your application. The more details given on how and where the material will be used, the better chance you will have of satisfying the needs of your particular application. We strongly recommend that you contact our Application Engineering Group about the details of your application to ensure proper usage.