UHMW vs HDPE
Valor Pipe supply professional and honest service.
Both UHMW and HDPE, are types of polyethylene plastic that can be used in various industrial applications. It’s important to understand the similarities and differences before purchasing to distinguish which material is more suitable for your needs.
On the other hand, UHMW is also low-cost and primarily used for applications that require extreme strength and abrasion resistance. This is an extremely popular plastic for wear industrial applications that require constant friction between moving parts over time. It’s also easy to fabricate and machine, but it's more difficult to form specific shapes or to weld.
There isn’t one choice that’s better suited to every application, but more about choosing which option is a better fit for your specific scenario. If you are unsure what plastic sheet to use for your application, please contact us.
UHMW vs Acetal
The primary difference is machining the two materials. UHMW is soft and more difficult to machine compared to Acetal due to its slippery form and it also suffers from thermal expansion. Acetal is a harder material with high mechanical strength and rigidity. It machines close to tolerance and performs better in precise (typically small) parts. They are both good alternatives to metal, with UHMW being the more economical option.
There isn’t one choice that’s better suited to every application, but more about choosing which option is a better fit for your specific scenario. If you are unsure what plastic sheet to use for your application, please contact us.
UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) is high abrasion and wear-resistant plastic. It is a great thermoplastic that has several applications. Many times polyethene sheets are also referred to as UHMWPE sheets. Polyethene’s versatility has made it a popular plastic for many industrial applications requiring durability, low friction, and chemical resistance. UHMW wear strips, chain guides, packaging machinery parts, and marine dock fender pads are typical applications.
We can melt thermoplastics at high temperatures and then cooled to regain their solid form. Thus we can call thermoplastics ‘thermo-softening plastics’. Thermoplastics have a high molecular weight. Intermolecular forces hold the polymer chains together. People can easily break down these intermolecular forces if they apply enough energy.
It explains why this polymer can be moulded and melts when heated. People can see the solid melting when they apply enough energy to overcome the intermolecular forces that keep the polymer solid. When we cool it again, it emits heat and re-forms the intermolecular forces, converting it to a solid. As a result, the process is reversible.
The physical properties of thermoplastics differ depending on their melting point and the temperature at which solid crystals form. Furthermore, we can see that they have a rubbery nature between those temperatures. After the polymer is started to melt, we can shape it into various shapes and then re-cool it to produce various products. Nylon, Teflon, Polyethylene, HDPE pipe fittings, and Polystyrene are common thermoplastics.
UHMW or UHMWPE is an abbreviation for ultra-high molecular weight polyethene. It belongs to the thermoplastic polymer family. This compound has long polymer chains with high molecular weights (around 5-9 million AMU). As a result, UHMW has the greatest molecular density. The presence of this compound, however, is barely distinguishable from HDPE.
The following are important UHMW properties.
It is a hard material.
Has a significant impact strength.
Tasteless and odourless.
Less frictional.
Excellent sliding ability.
Resistance to cracks.
It is extremely non-adhesive.
The compound is non-toxic and non-hazardous.
Low moisture absorption.
It does not soak up water.
Easy fabrication.
UHMW polymer chains are all very long and align the same way. Van der Waal forces connect each polymer chain to the polymer chains. It strengthens the entire structure.
In the presence of a metallocene catalyst, UHMW is produced (HDPE is produced in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst). The polymerization of the monomer, ethylene, yields UHMW. The polymerization of ethylene forms the base polyethene product because of the manufacturing method; the structure of UHMW differs greatly from that of HDPE.
Star wheel manufacturing.
Screws.
Rollers.
Gears.
Plates that slide.
Liner for a chute, hopper, or truck bed.
Guide rails and wear strips
Idler sprockets and star wheels
Conveyors with a high speed.
Arts of packaging machinery.
Parts of food processing machinery.
Dock fenders, bumpers, and pile guards.
UHMW Parts:
Because it is easy to manufacture, UHMW is also used for packaging, conveyor, and food processing machinery parts such as star wheels, idler sprockets, and under-chain wear strips.
UHMW Wood Replacement: UHMWPE sheets
are popular for marine construction applications such as dock fender pads, pile guards, and anti-skid walkways due to their low moisture absorption. Unlike wood, UHMW does not get rust, rot, or splinter.
UHMW Liners:
UHMW sheet is frequently used to line chutes and hoppers to protect metal surfaces and keep solid materials such as wood chips, sand or coal moving smoothly.
X-ray Detectable UHMW:
FDA-approved detectable UHMW is visible to x-ray inspection technology. It has an incredible effect and wears resistance and low sliding properties, making it ideal for food and beverage processing.
UHMW Grades:
UHMWPE is available in various grades, including reprocessed, enhanced bearing and wear, and FDA compliant.
For more Uhmwpe Plastics Platesinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
HDPE stands for High-Density Polyethylene. It is made of a thermoplastic polymer. Compared to other types of polyethene, this material has a high density. HDPE has a density of 0.95 g/cm3 and is recyclable. The polymer chains in this material are packed tightly because the degree of polymer chain branching is very low. As a result, HDPE pipe fittings are relatively hard and have high impact resistance. HDPE can be handled at temperatures as high as 120°C without harm. As a result, HDPE is autoclavable.
Important HDPE properties include the below following.
Relatively difficult.
High resistance to impact.
Autoclavable.
Translucent or opaque appearance.
Strong-to-density ratio is high.
It’s light.
Liquid absorption is either non-existent or minimal.
Resistance to chemicals.
HDPE is one of the most uncomplicated recycled plastic materials. These properties determine the applications of HDPE. Some important applications of HDPE include the following.
Many liquid compounds, such as milk, and chemicals like alcohol, are stored in these containers.
To manufacture plastic shopping bags and trays.
Fittings for pipes
Cutting boards are also made from HDPE.
Both UHMW and HDPE are ethylene monomers.
Both have identical appearances.
They are both thermoplastic polymers.
UHMWPE HDPE
It is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
It is high-density polyethylene.
It has very long polymer chains.
It has comparatively shorter polymer chains.
Long polymer chains have very high molecular weights.
HDPE polymer chains have lower molecular weight.
UHMWPE is produced in the presence of a metallocene catalyst.
It is produced in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst.
It does not absorb water, which means zero absorption.
It may absorb water slightly.
Both UHMWPE and HDPE are polymerized from ethylene monomers. The primary distinction between UHMW and HDPE is that UHMW has long polymer chains with extremely high molecular weights, whereas HDPE has a high strength-to-density ratio.
HDPE (high-density polyethylene) and UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) are both thermoplastic polymers made from ethylene monomers. The two plastics are indistinguishable based on appearance. The raw materials for both plastics are the reactive gases ethylene and hydrogen. These are polymerized in the presence of a catalyst, which differs depending on which plastic is being produced: a Ziegler-Natta catalyst for HDPE, or a metallocene catalyst for UHMW.
HDPE can be injection molded or blow molded, or formed into sheets and then further shaped using thermoforming, vacuum forming, or plastic welding techniques. It is a great option for manufactured chemical and water tanks. UHMW is a highly durable, affordable, and abrasion-resistant material used in a variety of wear applications. This article will compare the properties, applications, and costs of HDPE and UHMW.
High-density polyethylene, or HDPE, is a type of thermoplastic polymer. Compared to other polyethylene types, it has a high density (0.95 g/cm3). The polymer chains can be closely packed in this substance because the degree of polymer chain branching is quite low. HDPE is fairly hard and offers good impact resistance. HDPE’s properties are unchanged by exposure to temperatures of up to 120°C and are autoclavable as a result. Some of HDPE's key characteristics are: high impact resistance, autoclavability, opaque/translucent appearance, high strength-to-weight ratio, low liquid permeability, and good chemical resistance.
To produce HDPE, ethylene monomers, a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, hydrogen, and a comonomer are polymerized with a solvent. The solvent's main role is to carry heat away from the reaction sites where polymerization occurs. An external circulation heat exchanger then removes excess heat from the reaction chamber. The separation/drying process receives the reacted slurry. Transferring the slurry to a high-speed centrifuge allows the separation and recycling of the inert solvent from the newly-formed HDPE particles. The HDPE particles are dried under an atmosphere of high-temperature nitrogen and steam, which removes any remaining solvent, and leaves a dry, uniform HDPE powder behind.
In the powder dryer, the solvent is evaporated using high-temperature nitrogen and steam, which dries the wet powders. The scrubber recovers the solvent that has evaporated. The dried HDPE powder is transferred to an extruder, which melts and pelletizes the powder into the final raw HDPE material. Typical applications of HDPE include: containers for liquids, plastic shopping bags, pipe fittings, trays, and cutting boards. For more information, see our guide on What is High Density Polyethylene.
Both HDPE and UHMW have wide applications in many industries, due to their favorable properties. In some cases, these materials have shared applications, and for others, only one of the two materials is preferred due to its unique properties. The list below highlights some of the shared applications of HDPE vs. UHMW materials:
UHMW is a very durable lightweight material that is also chemical and corrosion resistant. Listed below are the UHMW exclusive applications:
HDPE also has a variety of unique applications. Durability and weather resistance are two of HDPE plastic's most appealing qualities: the material is resistant to insects, rot, mold, and mildew. Additionally, it is easily moldable into virtually any shape, making it ideal for a wide range of products that may spend a lot of time outdoors, such as:
It's also a common material for kitchen accessories. Cutting boards, cabinets, counters, tables, and small appliances can all be made of HDPE plastic, in addition to a variety of food and beverage container products.
Both HDPE and UHMW have some impressive physical properties. Table 1 below compares the two materials:
Both HDPE and UHMW are recyclable, and are considered to be environmentally-friendly plastics. HDPE is one of the easiest plastic materials to recycle. It can be remelted and made into new parts at least 10 times before the quality of the plastic is affected.
UHMW plastic cannot be recycled quite as easily as HDPE. It can only be recycled less than 10 times while maintaining its original properties. Recycled UHMW can be mixed into raw UHMW to further extend its recyclability.
The cost of both HDPE and UHMW varies depending on the form you purchase it in. The average price for HDPE is roughly $1.2 /kg, and the cost for UHMW can be anything between $2– and –$6 /kg.
Alternative materials to HDPE and UHMW include:
This article presented HDPE and UHMW, explained what they are, and discussed each are used in manufacturing. To learn more about HDPE and UHMW, contact a Xometry representative.
Xometry provides a wide range of manufacturing capabilities and other value-added services for all of your prototyping and production needs. Visit our website to learn more or to request a free, no-obligation quote.
The content appearing on this webpage is for informational purposes only. Xometry makes no representation or warranty of any kind, be it expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or validity of the information. Any performance parameters, geometric tolerances, specific design features, quality and types of materials, or processes should not be inferred to represent what will be delivered by third-party suppliers or manufacturers through Xometry’s network. Buyers seeking quotes for parts are responsible for defining the specific requirements for those parts. Please refer to our terms and conditions for more information.
The company is the world’s best 18 Inch HDPE Pipe supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.