I find my children eating and drinking from plastic almost all day. What impact does this frequent exposure to plastic have on their developing bodies?
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The experts I interviewed said that chemicals added to some plastics, such as bisphenols and phthalates, have been linked to a variety of health problems, including endocrine disruption, obesity, and abnormal neurodevelopment. Children may be more susceptible to these chemicals because their body systems are not fully developed and they are exposed to these substances at a higher rate than adults.
UHMW is difficult to pick out in a pile of HDPE plastics, but it is a totally different thermoplastic.
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In this article, we'll explore:
What UHMW stands for
Its unique qualities, and
What makes it different from HDPE
Let's dive in.
Ultra-High Molecular Weight (UHMW) is the highest quality polyethylene (PE) available, engineered for extreme performance and a wide range of applications.
Because UHMW plastics are highly resistant to wear and tear, we use it for machining plastic components and chain guides destined for high-wear operations such as commercial and industrial conveyor systems.
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 (HDPE) resins. That difference ensures that this material is strong enough to withstand abrasion and impact better than lower level plastics.
UHMW-PE cannot be transformed and molded by conventional plastic processing techniques (injection molding, blow molding or thermoforming). Instead, it is shaped using techniques more commonly used for metals. Compression molding and extrusion are the most common conversion process used with this resin because it produces a stronger, more consistent product.
All types of UHMW plastic used in our custom-fabricated parts offer the following five key characteristics:
UHMW compounds interact as moving parts in such a way as to generate less noise through friction and contact with other components.
The unique molecular structure of UHMW polymers results in a self-lubricating material which exhibits excellent wear and abrasion properties as well as adding extremely high impact strength.
UHMW polymers resist corrosion, making them ideal for applications that put them in contact with corrosive chemicals, such as acids.
UHMW polymers feature a low coefficient of friction, well-suited for manufacturing chain channel, wear strips, belt scrapers, guides, and rollers. According to research, the co-efficient of dynamic friction of ultra high density polyethylene under dry conditions is around 0.1 (on average, which is low).
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UHMW has an absorption rate of less than 0.01%, making it popular for a wide range of marine and other applications that require exposure to high levels of humidity and moisture.
The high molecular weight a UHMW material is what gives it a unique combination of high-impact strength, low co-efficient of friction and abrasion resistance that outwears carbon steel 10 to 1. That's why UHMW-PE is more suitable for many applications where lower density grades fail.
A plastic material worthy of mention that's frequently named next to UHMW is HDPE.
HDPE stands for high-density polyethylene, and it is a petroleum thermoplastic used widely because of its appreciable moisture resistance, cost-effectiveness, and strength against chemical solvents. It's commonly used in building and construction since its short-polymer-chain molecular structure makes it a lightweight yet solid, durable plastic.
You'll find it in pipe fittings, containers for liquids like milk and alcohols, and plastic shopping bags. They even used it during World War II to shield high-frequency radar cables.
UHMW plastics' molecular structure, on the other hand, is made up of long polymer chains and a higher molecular weight than HDPE. Compared to HDPE, it doesn't absorb water at all and is a tougher, low-friction, and crack-resistant option.
This makes it ideal for sliding plates, screws, gears, and rollers. And that's why UHMW is a material of choice for custom fabrication of machining plastic components and chain guides at Slideways.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Increases the maximum operating temperature from 180F for Natural UHMW to 280F
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 220F with Teflon being the next choice at 500F. However, compared to UHMW, Teflon has a 10X price premium and not nearly the wear resistance or compressive strength of 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.
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.
Glass-beads increase the surface hardness of UHMW
Color: Lime Green or Dark Blue
FDA Compliant? No
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 and HDPE are two indistinguishable thermoplastic polymers with differing industrial applications. Several key differences between UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) and HDPE (high-density polyethylene) make them suitable for specific uses.
This article will explore how the two polymers compare based on their production, industry, and general uses. You can determine which plastic best suits your needs by understanding the two polymers.
Let's dive deeper into the similarities and differences between UHMW and HDPE to help you choose your needs.
Plastics have become an integral part of our daily lives, revolutionizing various industries with their versatile properties and wide range of applications. These thermoplastic polymers have transformed the way we manufacture and use products, providing solutions to challenges in fields such as these:
Across these and many more applications, you'll find plastic in almost every industry. Two of these plastics include UHMW and HDPE.
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are members of the polyethylene family, thermoplastic polymers commonly used in various industries. Below, you'll learn a bit more about the basics of these plastics.
UHMW, as its name suggests, has an ultra-high molecular weight. The molecular chains in UHMW are much longer than those found in other polyethylenes, resulting in its exceptional mechanical properties. UHMW is renowned for its outstanding wear resistance, impact strength, and chemical resistance, making it suitable for various industrial and consumer applications.
HDPE, on the other hand, stands for high-density polyethylene. It is also derived from polyethylene, but its molecular chains are shorter than UHMW's, making it much cheaper to produce (and less durable). HDPE offers excellent chemical, impact, and UV resistance, making it a preferred material for various applications, including packaging, pipe fittings, and outdoor equipment.
The two follow the same manufacturing process, polymerization, which creates all polymers. During this process, smaller molecules (monomers) are chemically combined to create larger molecules (macromolecules).
This means (without getting too technical) that UHMW and HDPE follow similar processes for creation. However, they differ based on the length of their polymer chains.
UHMW
The production of UHMW typically ends up as a gel or a fiber with an incredibly long set of molecular chains. The polymerization conditions are carefully controlled to achieve UHMW's ultra-high molecular weight characteristic, including temperature, pressure, and catalyst choice.
The result is a unique molecular structure with exceptionally long chains, giving UHMW outstanding mechanical properties.
HDPE
Like UHMW, HDPE starts with the polymerization of ethylene monomers but ends with shorter chains of Polyethene. The shorter molecular chains give HDPE its high-density characteristic, resulting in properties such as excellent chemical resistance, impact resistance, and UV resistance.
With these different strengths, each polymer has other advantages.
While UHMW and HDPE offer numerous advantages, it is important to acknowledge these materials' potential weaknesses and limitations. Users can make informed decisions regarding their specific applications by understanding these challenges.
By being aware of these limitations and challenges, users can make informed decisions about the suitability of UHMW and HDPE for their specific applications.
UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) and HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) are widely used in various industries due to their exceptional mechanical properties and versatility. Let's explore some practical applications where industries commonly utilize UHMW and HDPE:
Regarding sustainability and recycling potential, UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) and HDPE (high-density polyethylene) have positive attributes that make them attractive options in various industries.
Polyethylene, the base polyethylene product from which UHMW and HDPE are derived, is known for its recyclability. This means that UHMW and HDPE can be recycled and transformed into new products, reducing the demand for virgin plastic materials and minimizing waste.
Check out ourReprocessed UHMW page for details.
UHMW and HDPE are highly versatile thermoplastic polymers with many benefits and applications. When selecting between the two, it is essential to evaluate the specific requirements of your project, such as impact resistance, coefficient of friction, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, UV resistance, and tensile strength.
Additionally, considering the recyclability potential and availability of suitable recycling facilities in your area is important for sustainable decision-making. By weighing these factors, you can make an informed choice and select the material best suited for your needs and project requirements.
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