UHMWPE

Selecting ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene stock shapes for wear parts, with grade-specific mechanical, thermal and fabrication limits.

Tags: materials, polymers, polyethylene, wear

Reviewed 2026-11-01Read Markdown

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Identity and scope

MCG TIVAR 1000 Virgin UHMW-PE gives 0.15–0.30 dynamic friction and 8 µm/km wear in its ISO 7148-2-based test at 3 MPa, 0.33 m/s, 23°C and 50% RH, with steel Ra 0.7–0.9 µm. Qualify the actual counterface, load and motion before estimating wear life. MCG friction and wear conditions

UHMWPE, also written UHMW-PE or PE-UHMW, is ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. This page concerns engineering stock shapes and the parts machined from them. Ensinger identifies its TECAFINE PE1000 natural as PE-UHMW and supplies rods, plates and tubes. A purchase description should include the manufacturer's grade and supplied form; the polymer name alone does not define the finished part's performance. Ensinger TECAFINE PE1000 natural data sheet

Grades and stock preparation

Manufacturer grade names distinguish materially different formulations. MCG lists TIVAR ESD for static control, TIVAR UV for direct-sunlight exposure, and TIVAR Oil Filled with an oil additive. These are examples within that supplier's range, rather than properties guaranteed by every UHMWPE product. Select the required function explicitly and obtain the corresponding grade's data and compliance documents. MCG, Finding the Right TIVAR Solution

The same supplier describes pressed, skived, planed and Lorien plate surfaces with different gauge, flatness, marking and residual-stress characteristics. Its discussion specifically notes edge stresses in Lorien plate and possible end curl in skived sheet. Therefore distinguish stock thickness tolerance and supplied surface from the tolerances of the machined drawing. MCG stock-process comparison

For procurement, record the grade, color, stock process, nominal dimensions and allowance for machining. Where contamination, recycled content, static behavior or food contact matters, make the required declaration part of the order. Do not infer compliance from color or a generic polyethylene description. For an existing component, preserve the original grade identification when evaluating a replacement.

A named mechanical-property example

Ensinger's TECAFINE PE1000 natural sheet gives the following guideline values. They are comparison data, not minimum purchasing requirements or design allowables. The sheet warns that stock dimensions and orientation affect properties and calls for application testing. Ensinger data sheet, mechanical table and disclaimer

Property	Reported value	Listed method
Density	0.93 g/cm³	No method stated beside value
Tensile modulus	700 MPa	DIN EN ISO 527-1
Tensile yield strength	19 MPa	DIN EN ISO 527-1
Elongation at yield	11%	DIN EN ISO 527-1
Shore hardness	D 60	DIN EN ISO 868

Illustrative mass calculation: assume a solid, unfilled rectangular blank measuring 100 × 100 × 10 mm and use the named grade's nominal density. Volume is 100,000 mm³ = 100 cm³, so estimated mass is 100 × 0.93 = 93 g. This is engineering arithmetic, not a supplier weight guarantee; machining removes material and stock dimensions and density vary. Density basis: Ensinger

Wear and temperature require conditions

MCG's TIVAR 1000 Virgin UHMW-PE sheet reports dynamic friction of 0.15–0.30 and wear rate of 8 µm/km under its ISO 7148-2-based test: 3 MPa, 0.33 m/s, steel roughness Ra 0.7–0.9 µm, 23°C and 50% relative humidity. These results belong to that test arrangement; they do not predict the life of a dusty conveyor guide or justify a universal pressure–velocity limit. MCG TIVAR 1000 data sheet, table and note 18

The same sheet separates 135°C melting temperature, 42°C heat-deflection temperature at 1.8 MPa, and 80°C continuous service in air. Its long-term thermal figure concerns approximately 20,000 hours of aging and roughly 50% tensile-strength loss measured at 23°C; actual stress and exposure duration govern application limits. None is an interchangeable operating-temperature guarantee. MCG thermal table and note 3

For qualification, use representative mating surfaces, load, speed, duty cycle and environmental exposure. Measure wear, frictional heating and dimensional change against the drawing's functional limits. If cleaning chemicals or process liquids are present, specify concentration, temperature, exposure time and stress when requesting compatibility advice. A favorable dry wear result does not answer that chemical-exposure question.

Drawing and release decisions

Allow the drawing to express the functional requirement: running clearance, supported span, attachment arrangement, permissible wear and inspection temperature. Avoid forcing a soft polymer component into a metal-derived tolerance without checking that the measurement and assembly method can maintain it. Assess fastening and thermal movement together so that restraint does not create unacceptable distortion.

A useful release record identifies the exact stock grade and lot, supplied form, finished dimensions, inspection conditions and qualification results. Where static control or regulated contact is required, retain the applicable supplier declaration and its scope. Changes in grade, additive package, stock route or operating environment warrant review against those requirements rather than acceptance by polymer name alone.

The Ensinger PDF itself prints 2017/11/23, Version AA; its generated filename is not a revision date. The MCG PDF prints 07/03/2023, retained here in the source's numeric format. The MCG grade/process article displays no publication date. These references were reviewed on 2026-11-01, America/Los_Angeles; confirm current documentation when ordering.