Does your next project call for UHMW parts? With decades of experience and a passion for plastic, Reading Plastic & Metal is your go-to for any plastics production. UHMW plastic is the highest quality polyethylene (PE) available, with extreme toughness and high abrasion resistance that makes it perfect for a wide range of applications, from hip and knee replacements to skis and snowboards. It is also used in hydraulic seals and bearings, body armor, high speed conveyors, dock bumpers, and chute linings. With an absorption rate of less than .01%, UHMW is popular for marine applications, as well as applications that require exposure to high levels of moisture and humidity. There are several grades of UHMW available, including grades for enhanced bearing and wear, and grades that are FDA compliant.
UHMW stands for Ultra High Molecular Weight. This high-density polyethylene resin has a molecular weight ranging from 3 to 6 million, compared to 300,000 to 500,000 for high molecular weight (HDPE) resins. An ultra high molecular weight gives this plastic a unique combination of high abrasion resistance and impact strength along with a low coefficient of friction, allowing it to outperform lower density plastics. But this high weight means it will not melt or flow as a molten liquid, which is why UHMW can’t be processed through injection molding or thermoforming.
Some perks to UHMW parts include:
If you have a project that requires UHMW parts, contact Reading Plastic today at (610) 926-3245 or site2@readingplastic.com. We look forward to working with you!
