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.
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.
Dragon are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.
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.
The Dragon UHMWPE Lined Steel Pipe is a specialized pipeline developed by Dragon UHMWPE. It consists of a steel pipe with an Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) liner, combining the strength of steel with the durability of UHMWPE.
Construction: The UHMWPE liner is inserted into the steel pipe using shrinkage technology, ensuring a tight fit. The steel pipe serves as the outer layer to withstand pressure, while the UHMWPE liner acts as the inner layer, providing exceptional resistance to wear and extending the pipe's service life.
Sealing Design: The sealing face of the UHMWPE lined steel pipe is a UHMWPE stub. This stub is formed by flanging and heating the UHMWPE liner itself, ensuring a seamless and reliable sealing interface.
Connection Method: The pipes are connected via the UHMWPE stub sealing face and steel flanges. These flanges are welded to the ends of the steel pipe, creating a secure and robust connection.
This innovative design ensures high performance in demanding applications, making Dragon UHMWPE Lined Steel Pipes an excellent choice for industries requiring durability and reliability in pipeline systems.
High pressurre holding capacity.
Abrasion resistance.
Impact resistance.
Anti corrosion
Less friction loss.
With the above properties of UHMWPE liner, the mainly application of Dragon UHMWPE lined steel pipe is for mine tailings transport as tailings pipeline. In the mining industry, transporting tailings—the waste materials left after the extraction of valuable minerals—presents a significant challenge. The solution to this challenge lies in choosing the right pipeline material, as tailings can be abrasive, corrosive, and prone to causing erosion and wear on traditional mining pipeline systems. Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) lined steel pipe has emerged as a reliable, cost-effective solution to address these issues, offering a long-lasting and durable option for mine tailings pipelines.
When uhmwpe pipes used as mining pipeline, there are pressure derating when temperature gets higher, besides that, UHMWPE pipe has pressure holding ability limitations for transport pipeline. UHMWPE lined steel pipes are just invented to fulfill the above limitations of UHMWPE pipes.
In the history of lined steel pipes for mine tailings transport, there are rubber lined steel pipe, HDPE lined steel pipe, ceramic lined steel pipe, polyurethane lined steel pipe. Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) lined steel pipes and conventional pipelines differ in several key aspects when used as mine tailings pipeline. These differences revolve around material properties, performance, durability, and overall cost-effectiveness in harsh mining environments.
1. Compared to conventional HDPE lined steel pipe, Dragon UHMWPE lined steel pipe as mining slurry transport with the following advantages, a higher abrasion resistance performance and a higher impact resistance.
2. Compared to rubber lined steel pipe, ceramic lined steel pipe and polyurethane lined steel pipe, Dragon UHMW PE lined steel pipe with a much excellent performance of anti-scaling, and anti-corrosion, with a much preferred cost effectiveness.
With the above key differences between UHMWPE lined steel pipe and other conventional pipelines, there are several key specifications must be tailored to the specific requirements of the slurry being transported. Below are the primary specifications that need to be considered.
● Pipe diameter and length:
The diameter of the steel pipe and uhmwpe lining should be chosen based on slurry flow volume, The pipe length depends on the distance over which the slurry needs to be transported. Long distances may require specialized pipe joints, connectors, or expansion provisions.
● UHMWPE liner thickness:
The thickness of the UHMWPE liner must be sufficient to withstand the abrasive nature of the slurry. Generally, the thicker the lining, the longer the lifespan of the pipe. Typical thicknesses range from 5 mm to 15 mm, but for more abrasive slurries, a thicker lining may be required (up to 25 mm or more in some cases). A thicker UHMWPE lining is better at resisting wear from the abrasive particles in the slurry. It's important to match the lining thickness with the expected wear rates for the slurry material being transported.
● Steel Pipe Material and Strength:
The choice of steel for the outer pipe (usually carbon steel or alloy steel) should be selected based on the mechanical stress and the external conditions the pipe will face (such as temperature, pressure, and environmental factors). High-strength steel may be required for high-pressure applications.
The wall thickness of the steel pipe should be designed to withstand internal pressure, external loads, and possible mechanical impacts. This thickness will be determined by the pressure rating required for the slurry transport system.
● End connections and fittings:
The pipe must be fitted with appropriate connections, such as flanged ends, butt-weld fittings, or other customized joint systems. Special attention must be paid to ensuring that the UHMWPE lining is properly connected and sealed at the joints to prevent leaks.
Due to the thermal expansion of both the steel and UHMWPE, expansion joints or compensators may need to be customized to accommodate changes in pipe length due to temperature fluctuations.
● Pressure rating:
The customized pipe must be designed to handle the expected internal pressure of the slurry transport system, including any pressure spikes. UHMWPE lining has to be matched with a steel pipe strong enough to withstand such conditions.
Based on the slurry properties (e.g., if it’s a high-density slurry or under high pressure), the pipe's pressure class must be customized. This ensures the pipeline won’t rupture or deform under pressure.
● Temperature resistance:
UHMWPE has good performance at temperatures ranging from -150°C to 80°C (-238°F to 176°F), but the slurry temperature may vary. For higher temperature applications, alternative linings might be required, or special consideration must be given to the maximum operating temperature to avoid degradation of the UHMWPE material.
● Weight and Handling considerations:
Lightweight Design: Since UHMWPE is much lighter than conventional metal linings, this can ease the handling and installation process. However, the steel pipe's weight must still be carefully balanced to ensure strength and stability in transport and installation.
● Leakage prevention:
Sealing Mechanism: Special care must be taken at the junctions where the UHMWPE lining and the steel pipe meet to ensure an airtight and leakproof seal. This can include flanged connections with a solid gasket, or welding the lining in place, depending on the application.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of UHMWPE Lined Tubing. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.