In the world of micro powders and other plastics and polymer-based materials, there are many different types of materials, all with their own (sometimes confusing) acronyms, names, and properties. One such material that is becoming very in-demand in this world is UHMWPE.
With a name that doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, it can be a bit confusing to understand what this polymer is and why it is useful. This guide can hopefully clarify some of your questions.
UHMWPE Is a Type of Engineering Plastic
This material’s full name is actually “ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.” The full name gives us some clues as to UHMWPE’s material composition, origin, and properties. Polyethylene is a type of plastic polymer, and is the most common category of plastics. UHMWPE is just one of the many types of this engineering property, one with its own specific uses and properties.
It Is Extraordinarily Durable
The most important characteristic of this type of plastic is its high molecular weight—it’s so important, that it’s even in the name. The higher the molecular weight is in a plastic polymer, the stronger it is in terms of tensile strength, toughness, and resistance. That makes UHMWPE a very durable plastic type, resistant to all sorts of environmental damage and degradation.
It Is Used in High-Pressure Situations
Thanks to its high durability, this type of plastic polymer is used in materials that need high durability, such as gears, ship ropes, machinery components that see repetitive usage, and more.
