UHMW-PE vs HDPE vs LDPE vs HMWPE
Benchmark · 4 materials
Side-by-side benchmark of 4 polymer grades.
UHMW-PE vs HDPE and 2 more: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R
Bulk Modulus
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Same in both: Water Absorption (24 h) 0.01%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Same in both: Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 3×10⁻⁴ · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Melt Flow Rate
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | UHMW-PE | HDPE | LDPE | HMWPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | Yes | ||
| Sheet metal | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Injection molding | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Default condition | FDA | FDA Compliant | Unfilled | |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm | ||
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.8 µm | ||
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| EMI Shielding Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Painting | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Soft Touch Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Spray Painting | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| UV Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in UHMW-PE and HDPE side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.