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.
With competitive price and timely delivery, Dragon sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
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.
TIVAR® is an acronym for Tough Inert Very Abrasion Resistant.
TIVAR® is known for its high abrasion resistance, natural lubrication, high impact strength, chemical-, corrosion-, and moisture-resistance and acoustic impedance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes, UHMW-PE is both FDA and USDA approved for use in food processing and medical applications.
There are three tests you can perform:
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).
The sustained high temperature use is 180 degrees F and the intermittent use is 200 degrees F.
Not for short times but for longer times above 200 degrees F it loses mechanical properties, abrasion and impact.
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.
UHMW has no UL recognition. It would be HB on UL-1 – that is slow burning (less than 3″ per minute).
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.
Yes, UHMW does not absorb water and is chemically inert.
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.
No, UHMW is a self-lubricating polymer and requires no additional lubrication.
Hydrogen and nitrogen don't affect it, but oxygen could.
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.
Yes
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.
While natural (milky white) and black are standard stock colors, UHMW-PE can be produced in a variety of Pantone colors.
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.
UHMW can be manufactured in conductive or anti-static forms making it ideal for use in electronics and semi conductor applications.
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.
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.
Yes, wear tape is a thin film of UHMW with adhesive backing than can be bonded to the surface.
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.
Tolerance levels are dependent on the manufacturing method and part design. Contact us for specific technical data.
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.
Yes, it behaves much like regular HDPE. The minimum temperature is 400 degrees F and the minimum pressure of 300 psi is highly recommended.
0.8%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
UHMWPE pipe, also known as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene pipe, is a pipe formed by continuous extrusion of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) resin with a molecular weight greater than 2.5 million. Under the conditions of strong corrosion and high wear, the service life is 4-6 times that of steel pipes, which fully demonstrates the advantages of “energy saving, environmental protection, economy and high efficiency”.
Type
Item
UHMW-PE
Physical Properties
Relative molecular weight/ million
2-3
Density/ (g/cm3)
0.945-0.975
Grain size/ mesh
40-200
Mechanical Properties
Tensile yield stress/ MPa
≥20
Fracture Extensibility %
300-400
Flexural Modulus/ MPa
600
Impact Strength/ (KJ/m)
>140
Rate of Wear % (23±2) ℃
Contact us to discuss your requirements of UHMWPE Pipe Manufacturer. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
≤0.4
Thermal Properties
Melting Point/ ℃
136
Distortion Temperature/ ℃
85
Thermal Conductivity/ [w/(m.v)]
8.5
Electrical Properties
Mass Resistivity/ (cm)
10
Punch Through Voltage/ (Kv/mm)
50
Dielectric Constant
2.3
High wear resistance: 4 times of Steel Pipe, 3 times of common Pe Pipe and 4 times of nylon pipe. It is proved that UHMWPE pipe is a common wear-resistant pipe for small particle slurry transportation.
High corrosion resistance: UHMWPE is saturated intermolecular structure, so its chemical stability is extremely high and can resist various corrosive media (acid, alkali, salt) and organic solvents in the environment.
Weather resistance and aging resistance: UHMWPE pipes have good weather resistance and aging resistance. Because there are very few unsaturated groups in the molecular chain of UHMWPE and the molecular weight is large, the pipe can maintain more than 70% of its mechanical properties for up to 50 years even after about 70% use.
High flexibility: The elongation at break can reach more than 400%, and there is a large bending during construction, and the subsidence of the earth’s crust can elongate up to 3 times without breaking.
High impact resistance: The impact resistance and impact energy absorption of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) pipes rank first among plastics, and they are not easy to crack regardless of external force or internal pressure fluctuations. The impact strength is 10 times that of nylon 66 and 4 times that of polyethylene PE100.
Good energy-saving effect: The friction coefficient is 0.07-0.11 , the roughness is only 1/6 of the new steel pipe, the circulation capacity is more than 50% higher than that of steel pipe, and the inner diameter of steel pipe can be reduced by about 15% compared with that of steel pipe.
Easy to install: The weight of UHMWPE pipe is 1/8 of steel pipe, which greatly reduces the installation cost. The pipe body is directly flanged and connected with flange butt, no need to add seals; it can also be inserted into hot melt welding, with high interface strength and easy operation.
Long service life: Under the same operating conditions, the wear resistance of UHMWPE pipes is 4 to 7 times higher than that of Q235 steel pipes, or 10 times that of HDPE (PE100) pipes, and the service life of UHMWPE pipes is longer under most operating conditions Much longer.
The density of UHMWPE products is between 0.93-0.95g/cm3, which can float on water. If it is not pure UHMWPE material, the product will sink into water.
Good quality UHMWPE products will not melt and deform at 200°C, but will become soft. Inferior UHMWPE products will deform at 200 °C.
The surface of good-quality UHMWPE pipe is smooth, neat, black and bright, and the cross-sectional density is very uniform. The surface color of inferior UHMWPE pipes is dull, and the cross-sectional density is uneven.
Good UHMWPE pipe ends are smooth, uniform, and have good roundness and verticality, but poor-quality UHMWPE pipes will crack and peel off after the pipes are heated.
HDPE pipe, also known as High Density Polyethylene Pipe, is a strong, flexible piping system that is the ideal piping material of choice for many applications including fluid and gas transportation around the world. Polyethylene’s toughness, corrosion resistance, excellent chemical resistance, and light weight allow it to provide long-term, cost-effective piping systems.
Unlike decades past, today more and more companies are choosing HDPE pipe fittings because of their affordability and efficiency. Users recognize the environmentally friendly nature of HDPE pipes and thus apply it as a green solution.
Durability: HDPE pipe is durable enough to withstand high pressure applications and extreme temperature fluctuations, HDPE pipe maintains its chemical and abrasion resistance properties even under harsh environmental conditions.
Safety: The main joining technology used for HDPE pipes is heat fusion. This leak-free connection technology creates an integrated piping system where the joints are as strong as the pipe itself, providing a piping system that is durable. This not only improves the overall system performance, but also increases the safety of the surrounding environment by reducing the risk of media leakage. When performed correctly, hot melt joints will not leak and will greatly reduce the operating costs of the piping system over its service life.
High Corrosion Resistance: HDPE pipe will not corrode, nodulate, or support biological growth. HDPE pipe has a C-factor of 150 for the Pipe Design life, unlike metal pipe which suffers from internal diameter shrinkage over time. The inner diameter of HDPE tubing does not change over time, providing consistent flow without increasing pumping energy.
Cost-Effective: HDPE pipes are heat-fused to join and require no additional couplers, gaskets or fittings to join the pipes together. Due to the durability and simplicity of HDPE piping, there is no need to worry about frequent repairs or the cost of replacing parts.
Polyethylene (PE) pipe refers to the general term for thermoplastic pipes made of ethylene gas as raw material. There are different types of PE pipes including very low density, low density, cross-linked, ultra-low molecular weight, high molecular weight, medium density, ultra high molecular weight, chlorinated and linear low-density.
HDPE means a PE pipe that is dense than the basic pipe. HDPE pipes are not as flexible as regular samples because they have a high melting and impact point. During the manufacturing process, companies may add carbon black or other colors to HDPE tubing to resist UV light.
Unlike regular PE pipe, HDPE pipe is rust-resistant and resistant to internal pressure for reliable use. HDPE pipe maintains initial flow despite prevailing environmental factors.
The performance of HDPE pipe depends on raw materials, processing equipment and technology. Many manufacturers add recycled materials to pipes to reduce costs and achieve higher profits, but this greatly reduces the performance of the pipes. How to identify the quality of PE pipes? We have described 7 ways to check:
High-quality pipes: the inner and outer surfaces of PE pipes are smooth, without defects such as bubbles, dents, and impurities.
Inferior pipes: the surface is not smooth, not bright, with obvious pitting.
The qualified pipe strip milled out by the welding machine is bright in color, and it is not easy to break after repeated folding. The milled strips are whitish or have other colors, which is caused by the addition of recycled materials or uneven mixing.
High-quality pipes: the milled strips are bright in color, neat, and can be folded repeatedly without breaking.
Inferior pipes: the milled strips are darker in color and easy to break after repeated folding.
Qualified butt weld joints should have smooth and symmetrical wrapping around the pipe ring, and the depth of the wrapping should not be lower than the pipe surface. The tolerance of both sides of the outer circle of the weld is not more than 10% of the tube thickness. The wrap edge should be firm and smooth, slightly wider at the bottom. No impurities, small holes, deformation and damage caused by unfavorable aspects of the tumbling.
High-quality pipes: the flanging is flat, and it will be slightly longer after the welding seam is pressurized.
Inferior pipes: There are more pores on the welding surface, and the edge wrapping is shorter after butt welding is pressurized.
High-quality pipes: stable chemical performance, and the finished product will not have any peculiar smell.
Inferior pipes: unstable chemical properties, unpleasant odor or odor after heating.
High-quality pipes: resistant to acid, alkali, salt and various solvents, anti-corrosion and anti-aging.
Inferior pipes: Under the action of acid, alkali, salt or detergents, various aging phenomena are prone to occur – embrittlement, cracking, molting, etc.
Elongation at break is the ratio of the length at break to the original length. The greater the elongation at break, the better the flexibility and the better the performance.
High-quality pipes: 3.5 times the original length without fracture
Inferior pipes: poor flexibility and easy to break.
OIT (Oxidative induction time) is the time for the autocatalytic oxidation reaction of the pipe to occur under higher temperature and oxygen, which can characterize the thermal degradation ability of the PE pipe during processing, storage, welding and working. The longer the OIT, the better the aging resistance of the PE pipe.
How are you tell HDPE from UHMW ?
This question should clarify plate and pipe. There are HDPE plate and UHMW plate, there are HDPE pipe and UHMW pipe. These can be verified through related tests.
Without test, how to tell apart UHMW pipe from HDPE pipe visually?
Straight pipe UHMW Vs HDPE: uhmwpe pipe can be only extruded with entire one color (pipe in black, or pipe in red, etc, without any other color strip shown on pipe surface), while, HDPE pipe can with blue or orange strip on black surface. See comparison pictures:
When HDPE pipe is made in back without blue strip, how to tell them apart from UHMWPE pipe?
One method is to check the stub end welding ring. Originated from their molecular weight differences, HDPE pipe can not get flanging stub end by heating to pipe itself, it should be welded to a stub end. However, UHMWPE has a much longer polymer chains, with a more higher bond strength internally, thus, UHMWPE can get its flanging stub by heating to pipe end itself.
Want more information on Customize UHMWPE Pipe? Feel free to contact us.