Wear Resistant Plastic · Engineering Thermoplastic
UHMW-PE
UHMW-PE is a wear resistant polymer — maximum wear resistance. Typical values: 20 MPa yield, 0.94 g/cm³, rated to 80 °C. Available for CNC machining, Sheet metal, Injection molding at FabDigit.
Properties
Typical room-temperature values in the FDA condition. Metric first, imperial in gray. The bars show where UHMW-PE sits against the other 74 polymer grades in the catalog.
Datasheet
| Yield strength | 20 MPa3 ksi |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 40 MPa6 ksi |
| Hardness | 65 ShD |
| Density | 0.94 g/cm³0.034 lb/in³ |
| Specific strength (yield ÷ density) | 21 |
| Min service temp | -100 °C-148 °F |
| Max service temp | 80 °C176 °F |
| Electrical conductivity | < 0.001 % IACSinsulator |
| Machinability | Fair50 / 100 |
| Weldability | Poor20 / 100 |
| Formability | Fair40 / 100 |
| ISO 513 machining group | N |
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Against other polymer grades
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. UHMW-PE is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to UHMW-PE. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Good50 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.8 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 400 / 500 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 10× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair20 / 100 |
Injection molding
| Mold shrinkage | — |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | — – — |
| Recommended draft | — |
| Pre-drying | — |
Conditions and tempers
How UHMW-PE is supplied and what each state is for. The default is what FabDigit quotes unless your drawing says otherwise.
| Condition | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDADefault Cert | Required for food-contact surfaces | — | — | — | — |
ESD Grade Modifier | Bleeds static safely — electronics fixtures, chip trays | — | — | — | — |
Reprocessed Grade Modifier | Cheapest — hidden, non-critical parts | — | — | — | — |
Oil Filled Additive | Lowest-friction cast nylon — sheaves, wear pads, never re-greased | — | — | — | — |
Heat treatment and post-processing
Operations FabDigit's suppliers routinely run on UHMW-PE, ranked by how often they make sense for this grade.
Post-processing
| Manual Deburr | Deburrstandard |
|---|---|
| Edge Break (0.5mm) | Deburr |
| Heat-Stake Insert | Assembly |
| Ultrasonic Insert | Assembly |
| Laser Engrave | Marking |
| Press-fit Insert | Assembly |
| Silk Screen | Marking |
| CMM Inspection | Inspection |
| FAI Report | Inspection |
| Individual Bag | Packaging |
Surface finishes for UHMW-PE
Coatings and treatments compatible with polymer on the processes UHMW-PE runs on. Pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing.
Injection Molding Coating
- EMI Shielding Coating
- Soft Touch Coating
- Spray Painting
- UV Coating
Organic Coating
- Painting
Marking / Decoration
- Chemical Etching
- Dot Peen Marking
- Electro-chemical Etching
- Embossing / Debossing
- Hot Stamping
- In-Mold Labeling (IML)
- Ink Stamping
- Laser Marking
- Mechanical Engraving
- Pad Printing
- Vibro Engraving / Scribing
Metallization / Functional
- Chrome Plating (Plastic)
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to UHMW-PE in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- TivarUHMWPEUHMWUltra High Molecular Weight
- Also called
- PolystoneUltra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
Stock forms
Raw-material forms FabDigit sources UHMW-PE in.
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.