UHMW Polyethylene
UHMW is an extremely tough, low-friction polyethylene used for wear strips, guides and bushings where metal would gall, corrode or damage what it touches.
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- Engineered Plastics
- Machinability /
- Varies
- Condition /
- —
- Also called /
- u h m w
UHMW is an extremely tough, low-friction polyethylene used for wear strips, guides and bushings where metal would gall, corrode or damage what it touches.
What it is
It has outstanding abrasion resistance and a naturally slippery surface, absorbs almost no moisture, and is chemically inert to most things. It is the standard material for conveyor and material-handling wear surfaces.
How it cuts
Cuts easily with sharp tooling but is soft and springs away from the cut, so achieving accurate dimensions requires light finishing passes and good support. Chips are stringy and need clearing.
What catches people out
It expands and contracts far more than metal with temperature, and it creeps under sustained load. A UHMW part machined to a tight fit at room temperature may bind or go loose in service, so clearances are designed larger than they would be in steel.
UHMW Polyethylene — Common Questions
Can UHMW hold tight tolerances?
- Less tightly than metal, and not because of the machining. It moves with temperature and creeps under load, so designed clearances have to account for that. For a precise, dimensionally stable plastic, acetal or PEEK is a better choice.
Other engineered plastics
Got a part for UHMW Polyethylene?
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