Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE, UHMW) is a subset of the thermoplastic polyethylene. Also known as high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE), it has extremely long chains, with a molecular mass usually between 3.5 and 7.5 million amu.[1] The longer chain serves to transfer load more effectively to the polymer backbone by strengthening intermolecular interactions. This results in a very tough material, with the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic presently made.[2]

UHMWPE is odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic.[3] It embodies all the characteristics of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with the added traits of being resistant to concentrated acids and alkalis, as well as numerous organic solvents.[4] It is highly resistant to corrosive chemicals except oxidizing acids; has extremely low moisture absorption and a very low coefficient of friction; is self-lubricating (see boundary lubrication); and is highly resistant to abrasion, in some forms being 15 times more resistant to abrasion than carbon steel. Its coefficient of friction is significantly lower than that of nylon and acetal and is comparable to that of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon), but UHMWPE has better abrasion resistance than PTFE.[5][6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Handbook was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Stein, H. L. (1998). Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylenes (uhmwpe). Engineered Materials Handbook, 2, 167–171.
  3. ^ Wong, D. W. S.; Camirand, W. M.; Pavlath, A. E.; Krochta, J. M.; Baldwin, E. A. and Nisperos-Carriedo, M. O. (eds.) (1994) "Development of edible coatings for minimally processed fruits and vegetables" pp. 65–88 in Edible coatings and films to improve food quality, Technomic Publishing Company, Lancaster, PA. ISBN 1566761131.
  4. ^ "PE Material: Porex Porous Polyethylene for Plastic Filter Media". porex.com. Retrieved 2017-02-14.
  5. ^ Tong, Jin; Ma, Yunhai; Arnell, R. D.; Ren, Luquan (2006). "Free abrasive wear behaviour of UHMWPE composites filled with wollastonite fibres". Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. 37 (1): 38–45. doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2005.05.023.
  6. ^ Budinski, Kenneth G. (1997). "Resistance to particle abrasion of selected plastics". Wear. 203–204: 302–309. doi:10.1016/S0043-1648(96)07346-2.