UHMWPE is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, but its molecular chain length (molecular weight) is more than 10 times that of ordinary HDPE, usually with a molecular weight of over 3 million, and even up to 6-10 million. Make it stand out among engineering plastics.
1, Core feature: Why is UHMWPE so special?
The core advantages of UHMWPE can be summarized as: extremely high wear resistance, excellent impact resistance, extremely low friction coefficient, and excellent self-lubricating properties.
Excellent wear resistance (flagship feature):
Its wear resistance ranks first among plastics, 7 times that of carbon steel, 6 times that of nylon, and even exceeds many metal materials. In the "mortar abrasion test", its wear resistance is three times that of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). This is its most well-known label.
Extremely high impact resistance:
The impact resistance of plastics ranks among the top, even at low temperatures of -40 ° C, its impact resistance is still excellent and will not crack. This is because its molecular chains are very long, and when subjected to impact, the molecular chains can slide and stretch each other, absorbing a large amount of energy.
Extremely low friction coefficient&self-lubricating properties:
The friction coefficient is extremely low (0.07-0.11), comparable to the friction coefficient between water ice. At the same time, it has self-lubricating properties and can work normally under oil-free or low oil lubrication conditions without adhering to materials.
Excellent chemical corrosion resistance:
It can withstand the corrosion of most acids, bases, solvents (except concentrated nitric acid and concentrated sulfuric acid), and chemical reagents, and has excellent stability.
Low density, very light:
The density is only 0.93-0.94 g/cm ³, which is lighter than water and one of the lightest materials in engineering plastics. Its weight is only 1/8 of steel.
Good water absorption resistance and non adhesiveness:
Very low water absorption rate (<0.01%), almost no water absorption. Smooth surface, low adsorption force for foreign objects, and less prone to scaling.