High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (HMWPE)
High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (HMWPE)
Polymer Type: Thermoplastic
Key Properties
- High impact strength
- High abrasion resistance
- Excellent chemical resistance
Applications
- Bearings and liners
- Conveyor belts
- Protective gear
- Ropes and cables
- Medical sutures
Additional Information
HMWPE, also known as UHMWPE or HMPE, belongs to the polyethylene family but stands out for its exceptional mechanical properties. This material boasts the highest impact strength of any commercially available thermoplastic, making it ideal for demanding applications requiring extreme toughness and wear resistance. Its low friction coefficient contributes to its use in bearings and sliding components, reducing friction and wear.
HMWPE exhibits excellent chemical resistance to most solvents and chemicals, making it suitable for food processing equipment and medical applications. It is also inherently food-grade safe and biocompatible, further expanding its use in medical devices and implants. However, HMWPE can be more expensive than some other thermoplastics and can be susceptible to creep deformation under sustained stress at high temperatures.
