PE-UHMW
Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene — the highest impact-strength thermoplastic. Molecular weight 2-6 million g/mol. Self-lubricating, extremely wear-resistant (15x better than carbon steel), and chemically inert. Used for hip/knee implant bearings, conveyor guides, dock fenders, chute liners, food processing equipment, and ballistic armor (Dyneema/Spectra fiber form).
International equivalents
| Flag | Standard | Country | Grade | Number | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO | INT | PE-UHMW | — | REF | |
| 🇺🇸 | ASTM | USA | ASTM D4020 | — | 100% |
Sources: ISO 11542, ASTM D4020
Chemical composition comparison (wt%)
Side-by-side: PE-UHMW (COMPOSITION) (ISO 11542) vs ASTM D4020 (ASTM)
| Element | PE-UHMW (COMPOSITION) | ASTM D4020 (ASTM) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Polymer (Polyethylene, UHMW) | 99.5–99.9% | — | — |
Mechanical properties
Compression Molded
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 39–48 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | 19–23 | MPa |
| Elongation | 250–450 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | 0.5–0.8 | GPa |
| Density | 0.93–0.94 | g/cm3 |
| hardness_shore_d | 60–65 | Shore D |
Compatibility verdict
PE-UHMW and ASTM D4020: 100% composition match
Close equivalents but NOT identical.
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