Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) is a type of plastic classified as an engineering plastic.
Due to its excellent durability and lowest friction, it is used as a material for machine parts such as gears and guide rails, as well as hoppers, etc. We manufacture ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene adhesive tape.
In this article, we will explain the characteristics and uses of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, as well as how it differs from fluoroplastic.
table of contents
-What is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene?
・Characteristics of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (advantages and disadvantages)
・Major uses of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
・Introduction of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene tape
・Difference between ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and fluoroplastic
·summary
What is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene?
Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene refers to polyethylene whose molecular weight has been increased from the usual 20,000 to 300,000 to 1 to 7 million.
It is also sometimes called "UHMW-PE," "UHMW," "U-PE," or "UPE," which are the initials of its official name.
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is a synthetic resin classified as a thermoplastic resin, and is one of the engineering plastics.
Because it has excellent abrasion resistance and lowest friction second only to fluoroplastic, it is used as a material for machine parts such as gears and guide rails, as well as hoppers.
Characteristics of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (advantages and disadvantages)
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has the following characteristics:
Benefits
-Excellent lowest friction and abrasion resistance
Its main features are its excellent lowest friction and abrasion resistance. It can be used for a long time in sliding applications because there is little risk of it being scratched or scraped.
・Excellent impact resistance
It has extremely high impact resistance, exceeding that of polycarbonate (PC).
・Excellent chemical resistance
Its stable molecular structure also provides excellent chemical resistance, allowing it to be used in environments where liquids or chemicals are used.
・Excellent water absorption
Its water absorption rate is low at less than 0.01 %, making it an ideal material for areas where water is used.
Disadvantages
Not suitable for high temperatures
The maximum operating temperature for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is generally 80°C, making it unsuitable for use in high temperature environments.
However, it can be used in low temperature environments down to -100°C.
- Large linear expansion coefficient
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has a large linear expansion coefficient, so it is not suitable for places where sudden temperature changes occur.
Not suitable for adhesive processing
Because of its high self-lubrication, it is difficult to bond with dissimilar materials, so be careful when combining it with other parts or materials, as you will need to carefully consider the design beforehand.
Main applications of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
Taking advantage of its excellent properties, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is used for a wide range of applications.
It is mainly used in applications where it has high wear resistance and self-lubrication.
■ Gears
■ Guide rail
■ Roller
■ Liner
■Food machinery
■ Hopper
■ Marine rope
Introduction of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene tape
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is used for a variety of purposes, and in addition to being used as molded products such as machine parts, it is often processed into films and adhesive tapes.
When used as an adhesive tape, it can be partially imparted with the properties of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, making it easy to use in food factories and transportation processes.
We manufacture adhesive tapes made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
Please consider this product if you are looking to partially add the properties of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene!
■AUE-112B
This adhesive tape has an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) film base and an acrylic adhesive applied to one side, providing lowest friction resistance.
■AUB-112B *Anti-static type
This adhesive tape uses a conductive carbon-containing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) film as a base material, with an acrylic adhesive applied to one side.
These products can be used for the following purposes:
Applications by industry
[Food and Logistics]
By attaching it to the guide of roller conveyors used in food and beverage factories and logistics plants, it prevents products from getting stuck and ensures smooth product transport. It also prevents damage to the products and the guide.
Additionally, in hoppers used in food factories, etc., attaching it to the slope of the material inlet area allows the material to flow smoothly and reduces residue inside the hopper.
【car】
It is also used in automobile parts due to its excellent abrasion resistance and impact resistance. In automobile applications, it is used in places where it is subject to impact and where lowest friction is required.
【others】
It is also used on skis and snowboards where lowest friction is required, and in the sliding parts of office equipment.
Differences between ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and fluoroplastic
The differences between ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and fluoroplastic are summarized in the table below.
If you are using it in an environment with temperatures between 100℃ and 200℃, you may want to consider fluoroplastic (PTFE).
When selecting a material, we recommend that you decide in advance which characteristics are important and then compare them.
*The displayed data is a representative value and is not a quality assurance value.
More information about fluoroplastic can be found here.
If you are considering a fluororesin adhesive tape instead of ultra-high molecular weight fluoroplastic adhesive tape, we recommend the product below.
■ ASF-110FR
This adhesive tape has fluoroplastic (PTFE) film base and a silicone adhesive applied to one side. It has excellent heat resistance, lowest friction, and chemical resistance.
For those considering molded products other than ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, we can also propose PTFE machined products, which are processed by cutting PTFE processing materials into various shapes according to the customer's specifications. These parts can be used in a wide range of fields as they are heat resistance, chemical resistance, and non-stick characteristics parts.
■ Injection molding products
These are Injection molding products made from various functional engineering plastics, including fluoroplastic. With our extensive know-how, we can propose the appropriate molded product shape from the design stage onwards.
Representative examples of our achievements include fluoroplastic (PFA, ETFE, PVDF, ETCFE), engineering plastics/super engineering plastics (PEEK, PSU, 4-6PA, PPS, PEI, etc.), and general-purpose resins (PP, PE, PS, PVC, PBT, etc.).
Summary
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is an engineering plastic with excellent characteristics.
Its main features are its excellent lowest friction, abrasion resistance and impact resistance.
Although it is not suitable for use in high temperature environments of 100°C or higher, it is a recommended material for sliding applications in usable temperature environments and for applications requiring resistance to wear and impact.
In addition, our ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene tape is recommended for applications that require partial lowest friction, high abrasion resistance, and impact resistance. If you would like to try it out, please feel free to contact us.
