HMWPE vs UHMW-PE
Polymer · grade comparison
HMWPE and UHMW-PE are both polymer grades. HMWPE is the stronger of the two: yield strength 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) against 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) for UHMW-PE, about 14% more. HMWPE is the more ductile: elongation 700% versus 350% for UHMW-PE. HMWPE is stiffer (0.95 GPa vs 0.72 GPa). On the shop floor, UHMW-PE machines more easily (very good vs good), HMWPE welds better (excellent vs poor), and HMWPE sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than UHMW-PE (standard, $$).
HMWPEChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
UHMW-PEChoose it when the part is machined in volume.
HMWPE vs UHMW-PE: 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
Bulk 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
Same in both: Hardness, Rockwell R 50 HRR
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) -120°C-184 °F · 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)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 80°C176 °F · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 110°C230 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Same in both: Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 2.3 · 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)
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Polishability 25 / 100
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
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.2 mm²/s · 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 | HMWPE | UHMW-PE |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | FDA |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 0.8 µm |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | — | Yes |
| EMI Shielding Coating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Soft Touch Coating | — | Yes |
| Spray Painting | — | Yes |
| UV Coating | — | Yes |
HMWPE vs UHMW-PE — frequently asked
Is HMWPE stronger than UHMW-PE?
Yes. HMWPE has a typical yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) against 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) for UHMW-PE — about 14% more. Tensile strength is 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) vs 40 MPa (5.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, HMWPE or UHMW-PE?
HMWPE is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while UHMW-PE is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, HMWPE or UHMW-PE?
UHMW-PE. Its machinability rates very good (75/100) against good (62/100) for HMWPE; for welding the order is HMWPE first (excellent, 92/100) then UHMW-PE (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in HMWPE and UHMW-PE 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.