Engineering Plastic
UHMW-PE
The wear and slide champion: outstanding abrasion resistance and a very low coefficient of friction, near-zero moisture, and FDA-compliant grades. Low stiffness.
Last verified: 2026-07-10
| PolymerChemistry / common trade name. | Ultra-high-mol.-wt. PE |
|---|---|
| Density(g/cm³)Typical specific gravity. | 0.93 |
| Tensile(MPa)Typical tensile strength (unfilled grade). | 21 |
| Max service(°C)Typical continuous service temperature. | 80 |
| Water abs.(%)Typical 24 h water absorption. | 0.01 |
| Machinability | Good |
| Known forThe property it's usually chosen for. | Abrasion resistance + low friction |
- Typical uses: wear strips, chute and hopper liners, guide rails, conveyor components, sprockets.
- Best-in-class abrasion resistance and self-lubrication; excellent chemical resistance.
- Low stiffness and higher thermal expansion — not for tight-tolerance structural parts.
Other engineering plastics
Sources
- Manufacturer datasheets (typical properties for common unfilled grades)
- ASM International — Engineering Plastics (Engineered Materials Handbook)