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Tough and durable, UHMWPE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) yarns have the highest tensile strength of any thermoplastic. You may also know these yarns by the names Spectra® and Dyneema®.
UHMWPE yarns are an excellent choice for high-tension, high-moisture, and high-abrasion applications. UHMWPE has a wide variety of uses from medical to manufacturing, including:
- Sports gear made for skydiving, skiing, and fishing
- Ballistics gear, like body armor
- Marine industry ropes, cords, and textiles
- Automotive industry equipment and parts
- Food and beverage industry processing
- Manufacturing and bulk handling equipment
- Industries like mining, minerals, civil engineering and earth moving
- Many types of ropes and cords
There are different grades of UHMWPE available, so its important to select the right manufacturer and type for your application. As an example, one of the grades Honeywell offers is a Spectra® type S-900 that has a modulus of approximately 900 g/den with an elongation at break of approximately 3.6%. This happens to be much different than one of DSMs offerings, Dyneema® type SK-38, which has a modulus of approximately 396 g/den with an elongation at break of approximately 6.5%. Several company's offer a number of different grades and sizes that have various property differences.
Here are some of the key properties of UHMWPE to look at when choosing the material for your application.
Heat Resistance
UHMWPE has a lower heat resistance than many other types of high-strength fibers and a lower melting point (297° to 305° F) than many common polymers. All grades will have the same heat resistance and melting point because of the nature of UHMWPE.
As an example, UHMWPE is a good option for ballistic body armor used in security and police work, but is not a good choice for the manufacture of firefighters gear. But all grades of UHMWPE would have similar heat resistance level.
Tensile Strength
UHMWPE yarns are 40% stronger than aramid yarns. They also have high abrasion resistance, even under pressure, and are 15 times more resistant to abrasion than carbon steel. If strength and preventing breakage is of critical importance, evaluate your yarn selection to make sure it meets your tensile strength requirements.
UHMWPE is known for its high tensile strength - but always check product specs for exact tensile properties. Strengths vary depending on the grade, and exactly how each grade is drawn out. A skydiver doesnt want their gear to break under high stress, and your company certainly wouldnt want to be involved in the creation of any faulty materials that could cause an accident down the line.
Durability
Depending on the grade, UHMWPE usually has a molecular mass between 3.5 and 7.5 million amu, which is quite high. UHMWPE also has a very high cut resistance. It also has a very low coefficient of friction, comparable to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), meaning it is well-suited for uses that involve motion and sliding. A common example is bulk handling equipment, which experiences constant repetitive motions.
Its important to note that yarns can eventually develop whats known as creep under constant tension loads. When creep occurs, this gradual elongation of fibers can create a more limited lifespan. Monitor this closely in conditions with unrelenting tension.
Creep is measured in modulus, or resistance to deformation. UHMWPE fibers have a high strength and a high modulus in the fiber direction. Because it also has a low density, it has a high strength on a weight basis.
UHMWPE has less creep than other fibers like polyester. If creep is of high concern - perhaps in the manufacture of recurve bowstrings - a UHMWPE grade with a higher modulus could be the best fit. UHMWPE also has significantly better UV resistance than aramid yarn and tends to be a better choice for outdoor applications.
As an example, there is a Dyneema® type SK 99 that has a modulus of g/den and also a type DM 20 that has a modulus of g/dn. Both of these materials are considered high modulus, however depending on which grade you choose, one could be significantly higher than another. Spectra® fiber has similar offerings with wide modulus ranges as well.
Chemical/Water Resistance
If the UHMWPE yarn will be exposed to chemicals and solvents, its good to know that it has strong chemical resistance - and that includes all UHMWPE, regardless of grade. Its typically highly resistant to most alkalis, acids, organic solvents, degreasing agents, and electrolytic attacks.
UHMWPE has a low specific gravity, meaning it floats in water. It also has a high water resistance, making it good for use in the manufacture of aquatic gear and for equipment that will constantly be exposed to wet environmental conditions.
For example, ships' hawsers and cables are commonly constructed of UHMWPE due to the dual benefits of high resistance to water and high resistance to the abrasive action of sea salt.
Nontoxic and Safe
When made properly, all grades of UHMWPE are odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic. This provides safety for production workers in manufacturing operations, plus safety down the line for end users of products made with UHMWPE.
The company is the world’s best UHMWPE Fiber supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
Its an excellent choice for medical uses. UHMWPE has famously been used in total hip joint replacements for more than four decades because it provides a near-frictionless joint socket surface.
Which Type is Best For You?
With all of the variables, types and sizes, it can be difficult to choose the right UHMWPE to meet specific requirements. UHMWPE is a slick, expensive fiber that is extremely hard to process, so its important to select a reliable company to process this specialty fiber into finished product.
Service Thread processes UHMWPE yarns for a wide variety of applications. Contact the experts at Service Thread now to learn more about which type of UHMWPE is best for your application.
Previously published on fastradius.com on August 18,
Polyethylene is a thermoplastic with a variable crystalline structure. This popular material is used in everything from shopping bags, to pipes, to prostheses and other medical devices. With several grades, types, and formulations of polyethylene available, its essential to learn about each materials properties, advantages, and disadvantages before deciding which type to use for your product. Heres everything you need to know about ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW or UHMWPE) from its molecular structure to its many uses.
What is UHMW?
An extremely dense form of polyethylene, UHMW is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic composed of long chains. UHMW forms when ethylene molecules bond, and the resulting UHMW molecules are much longer than the molecules found in other forms of polyethylene thanks to the presence of metallocenes. These compounds can serve as a catalyst and usually consist of positively charged metal ions located between negatively charged cyclopentadienyl anions.
With compression molding, sintering, ram extrusion, or gel spinning, UHMW can be produced as a sheet, rod, strip, or tube. Though the polymerization of UHMW wasnt commercialized until the s, it was quickly recognized as a versatile material suitable for many applications.
UHMWs Properties and Mechanical Specifications
UHMW plastic is very strong thanks to each molecules impressive length and high molecular orientation. In fact, UHMWPE fibers are among the strongest and lightest on the market today. UHMW is tough, slick, and durable with high tensile strength. Its also highly resistant to corrosive chemicals, wear, abrasion, impact, moisture, and cold temperatures.
As the name suggests, UHMWPE has a very high molecular weight between 3.1 and 100 million grams per mole. Some of UHMWs mechanical properties include:
- Tensile strength, yield: 18.9 psi
- Tensile strength, ultimate: psi
- Flexural strength at yield: psi
- Flexural modulus: 58.0 210 ksi
- Compressive strength: 580 psi
- Compressive modulus: 42.0 100 ksi
- Hardness, shore D: 57 120
When considering using UHMW plastic for your next project, you should know that UHMWPE fibers are less resistant to heat than other high-strength plastics. UHMW polyethylene fibers have a melting point between 144 °C and 152 °C and shouldnt be used for extended periods at temperatures above 80 °C to 100 °C. Also, even though UHMW plastic is known for its ability to withstand cold temperatures, it will become brittle at temperatures below -150 °C (or -240 °F).
With compression molding, sintering, ram extrusion, or gel spinning, UHMW can be produced as a sheet, rod, strip, or tube.
Popular UHMW Applications
Due to its strength and durability, UHMW is often used in belt scrapers, chain guides, idler rollers, sprockets, packaging machinery components, and gears. Other UHMW plastic uses include bearings, conveyor systems star wheels, guard rails, and food processing machining parts.
UHMWPES strong and light fibers make it an ideal material for body armor. It provides increased ballistic protection and resistance to cuts while remaining comfortable to wear. Many prostheses also contain UHMW due to its biocompatibility, strength, and wear resistance. UHMWs abrasion and moisture resistance make it a popular choice for building docks, and its resistance to cold temperatures makes it an ideal material for snowplow blades, snowmobile skis, skid steers, and truck bed liners.
Why Choose UHMW?
Its challenging for many product teams to decide between HDPE and UHMWPE. After all, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) are both linear versions of polyethylene plastic that are affordable as well as resistant to abrasion, chemicals, and impact.
HDPE is well suited for use in fuel tanks, piping, and outdoor furniture, and unlike UHMW, it is ideal for injection molding. However, it may crack under stress. In contrast, UHMW is incredibly dense and strong in fact, its strength rivals steel. UHMWs combination of high tensile strength, wear resistance, impact resistance, and self-lubrication make it an ideal material for industrial applications as well as high-performance equipment.
Getting Started With UHMW
UHMWPE is a strong, water-resistant, and biocompatible plastic thats suitable for a wide range of applications, from docks to orthopedic implants. Its highly versatile, durable, and easy to fabricate, making it an ideal choice for many projects. Working with an experienced manufacturing partner when selecting materials can simplify the process and elevate your final product.
When you partner with SyBridge, well work with you and offer in-depth information to help you navigate the manufacturing process. Backed up by years of manufacturing experience with a wide range of materials, we can guide you to the best material that will help you achieve your manufacturing goals. Ready to get started? Contact us today.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Bullet-Proof Helmet.
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