(Newswire.net — October 22, 2013) Anaheim, CA — Replacing many other materials for massive increase in performance, UHMW is leading the industrial wear handling. UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight) or UHMW-PE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) has an exceptionally high resistance to wear and impact, allowing it to continue expanding its potential for industrial applications. A very tough material with the highest impact strength of any Thermoplastics, UHMW sheet is an excellent material for the production of marine equipment, machinery, and is even used for some medical purposes.
UHMW-PE possesses one of the lowest coefficients of friction of any material, which provides a smooth sliding surface. The only other unfilled material that has a lower coefficient of friction is PTFE. The best known PTFE is DuPont’s Teflon Resin, and can be found on many high performance coated frying pans.
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, an estimated 570,000 total hip and knee replacements are being performed in the US each year, with that number expected to rise to a whopping 750,000 by the year 2030. Using UHMW for artificial joint replacement is suitable because of the polymers self-lubricating property and abrasion resistance. On average, more than 90% of all total joint replacements using UHMW-PE bearing surfaces survive more than 10 years, according to the Swedish hip registry.
One of the most attractive characteristics UHMW possesses is its excellent lubricity (used as Truck Bed Liners, Conveyor Systems, Hydraulic Seals and Bearings). When applied properly, UHMW with adhesive backing eliminates the need for mechanical fastening and makes for an easier application with a longer service life. Conveyor wear pads are a perfect choice for UHMW. Traditional metal or rubber wear pads made tend to wear faster and need to be replaced more frequently.
In marine applications, UHMW eases the ability for marine vessels to travel along the fender face. Any surface in the marine environment that requires a slippery surface or will see heavy wear or abrasion, UHMW Sheet is the perfect choice. Sliding windows, hatch covers or slide-ways are all good candidates for UHMW. The biggest ‘problem’ with UHMW is that it can not be bonded to application surfaces. The ‘slippery’ property of UHMW sheet (sometimes refered to as UHMW Plate) makes bonding this material impossible. This means that application must be done with mechanical fasteners or filling voids with the material.
There is also a special grade of UHMW that has an adhesive coating, applied during production, on the back of UHMW, can make application simple. The thickness range that this ‘UHMW tape” is available is from .005” to .187” inch in roll stock. This material is available in widths from 1.0” to 24”. The UHMW tape material is also available without adhesive, for applications where bonding is not necessary. This is especially useful in the manufacturing industry where conveyor belts and production lines are continuously active and minimal interference is preferred. When replacing an entire piece of conveyor material could potentially take hours and slow or stop production lines. Using the UHMW tape material is ideal, simply remove previous worn wear strip, and replace it with fresh UHMW material. This saves both time and money, and reduces the facilities sound decimal quite drastically (which pleases groups like OSHA).
To say that UHMW is a useful plastic would be an understatement. UHMW sheet is a great choice for many purposes, from Industrial applications to the reason your snowboard glides so freely over the slopes. This super wearing material will help get things moving in your business.
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