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Custom UHMW-PE Machining
UHMW-PE (UHMWPE) Custom Machining & Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Materials
Transform your industrial challenges with UHMW polyethylene - also known as UHMWPE, UPE, or PE-UHMW. The ultimate engineering plastic that outperforms steel in wear resistance while being 87% lighter.
✓ Superior UHMW Properties
15x more wear-resistant than carbon steel. Our UHMWPE material offers the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic.
✓ Precision UHMW Machining
CNC tolerance of ±0.03mm (±0.0012") for your UHMW-PE components. From prototype to production.
✓ Complete UPE Solutions
Stock UHMW sheets, rods, and custom UHMWPE parts. FDA-compliant grades available.
✓ 20+ Years Experience
Trusted UHMW-PE supplier for industries worldwide. Expert engineering support included.
Why Choose BeePlastic for Your UHMW-PE (UHMWPE) Needs?
Premium UHMW Polyethylene Stock Materials
Our extensive inventory of UHMWPE materials includes sheets from 1mm to 100mm thickness, rods from 1mm to 300mm diameter, and custom profiles. Available in natural white, black, green, blue, and custom colors. All our UHMW plastic meets the highest industry standards.
- UHMW-PE Sheets: 1-100mm × 620-2000mm × 1220-3000mm
- UHMWPE Rods: Ø1-300mm × 1000-2000mm lengths
- UPE Custom Profiles: Any shape to your specifications
- FDA-Compliant UHMW: For food & medical applications
Advanced UHMW-PE CNC Machining Services
Transform your UHMWPE designs into precision components with our state-of-the-art CNC machining capabilities. We specialize in complex UHMW plastic parts with tight tolerances and superior surface finish.
- Precision: ±0.03mm (±0.0012") tolerance
- Capabilities: 3, 4, and 5-axis CNC machining
- Surface Finish: Ra 0.8μm achievable
- Volume: Prototype to production runs
UHMW-PE (UHMWPE) Technical Specifications
Physical & Mechanical Properties of UHMW
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular Weight | ~9,000,000 | g/mol |
| Density | 0.93 | g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption | <0.01 | % |
| Tensile Strength (Yield) | 20 | MPa |
| Elongation at Break | >200 | % |
| Impact Strength | No Break | - |
| Shore D Hardness | 63-67 | - |
| Coefficient of Friction | 0.05-0.10 | - |
Thermal & Electrical Properties of UHMWPE
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Melting Temperature | 130-135 | °C |
| Service Temp (Continuous) | -150 to +80 | °C |
| Service Temp (Short-term) | 90-130 | °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.40-0.41 | W/(m·K) |
| Thermal Expansion | 150-230 | 10⁻⁶/K |
| Volume Resistivity | >10¹⁴ | Ω·cm |
| Dielectric Strength | 45 | kV/mm |
| FDA Compliant | Yes | - |
Chemical Resistance
UHMW polyethylene offers exceptional resistance to acids, alkalis, and most organic solvents. Unaffected by moisture and most chemicals.
Self-Lubricating
UHMWPE requires no external lubrication, reducing maintenance costs and contamination risks in clean environments.
Noise Reduction
UHMW-PE components operate quietly compared to metal alternatives, improving workplace conditions.
Non-Toxic & FDA Approved
Our UHMW plastic is safe for food contact and medical applications, meeting stringent regulatory requirements.
UHMW-PE Applications Across Industries
Food & Beverage
UHMWPE conveyor guides, star wheels, wear strips, chute liners
Material Handling
UHMW chain guides, rails, slide plates, hopper liners
Marine Industry
UPE dock fenders, pile guards, bushings, wear pads
Industrial Machinery
UHMW gears, bearings, bushings, wear plates
Mining & Aggregate
UHMWPE truck bed liners, screen panels, impact bars
Medical & Pharmaceutical
UHMW prosthetics, implants, equipment components
UHMW-PE vs. Alternative Materials
| Property | UHMW-PE/UHMWPE | HDPE | Nylon (PA) | PTFE (Teflon) | POM (Acetal) | Carbon Steel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wear Resistance | Outstanding | Good | Good | Fair | Good | Good |
| Impact Strength | Highest (No Break) | Good | Good | Poor | Good | Excellent |
| Friction Coefficient | 0.05-0.10 | 0.29 | 0.15-0.25 | 0.04 | 0.20 | 0.6 |
| Chemical Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Outstanding | Good | Poor |
| Weight (Density) | 0.93 g/cm³ | 0.95 g/cm³ | 1.14 g/cm³ | 2.2 g/cm³ | 1.41 g/cm³ | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Cost-Effectiveness | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Poor | Good | Good |
| FDA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Why Engineers Choose UHMW-PE Over Alternatives:
Complete UHMW-PE Processing Capabilities
CNC Machining UHMWPE
- 3, 4, and 5-axis capabilities
- Tolerances to ±0.03mm
- Complex geometries
- High-volume production
Cut-to-Size UHMW
- Precision cutting services
- Water jet cutting
- Router cutting
- Custom profiles
Fabrication Services
- Welding & bonding
- Thermoforming
- Assembly services
- Surface treatments
Need specialized processing for your UHMW-PE project?
Contact Our EngineersUHMW-PE Products & Applications Gallery
UHMW-PE Design & Engineering Guidelines
Design Specifications for UHMWPE Parts
- Minimum wall thickness: 3mm for structural UHMW components
- Recommended draft angle: 1-3° for deep pockets in UHMW-PE
- Maximum continuous temperature: 80°C for UHMWPE
- Thermal expansion coefficient: 150-230 × 10⁻⁶/K
- Thread design: Use coarse threads in UHMW plastic
- Hole tolerance: +0.05mm to -0.00mm for press fits
Available UHMW-PE Grades
- Virgin UHMWPE: Maximum purity & performance
- Reprocessed UPE: Cost-effective for non-critical uses
- Enhanced UHMW: UV-stabilized, anti-static options
- FDA UHMW-PE: Food & pharmaceutical grade
- Medical UHMWPE: USP Class VI options available
- Colored UHMW: Natural, black, green, blue, custom
Machining UHMW Recommendations
- Use sharp, polished carbide tools for UHMWPE
- Moderate speeds prevent UHMW melting (500-800 SFM)
- Adequate chip removal critical for UHMW-PE
- Coolant recommended for deep drilling in UHMW
- Climb milling preferred for UHMWPE machining
- Support thin sections to prevent UHMW deflection
Frequently Asked Questions About UHMW-PE
What is UHMW-PE (UHMWPE) and why is it superior to other plastics?
UHMW-PE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene), also known as UHMWPE, UPE, or simply UHMW, is a thermoplastic with molecular weight ranging from 3-9 million g/mol. This ultra-high molecular weight gives UHMW plastic the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic, exceptional wear resistance (15x better than carbon steel), self-lubricating properties, and excellent chemical resistance. UHMWPE maintains these properties from -150°C to +80°C.
What tolerances can you achieve when machining UHMW-PE?
Our advanced CNC machining centers consistently achieve tolerances of ±0.03mm (±0.0012") when processing UHMWPE parts. For less critical dimensions on UHMW components, we work to ±0.1mm standard tolerances. Tighter tolerances are possible for specific features - our engineering team can advise on feasibility for your UHMW plastic project.
Is UHMW-PE suitable for food contact and medical applications?
Yes, we offer FDA-compliant grades of UHMW-PE that are approved for direct food contact. These UHMWPE materials are non-toxic, non-contaminating, and meet all regulatory requirements for food processing equipment. For medical applications, we provide medical-grade UHMW that meets USP Class VI requirements.
How does UHMW-PE compare to PTFE (Teflon)?
While PTFE has a slightly lower coefficient of friction (0.04 vs 0.05-0.10 for UHMW), UHMWPE offers superior wear resistance, impact strength, and cost-effectiveness. UHMW-PE is self-lubricating like PTFE but provides better mechanical properties, is easier to machine, and costs significantly less. For most wear applications, UHMW plastic outperforms PTFE.
What sizes of UHMW-PE sheets and rods do you stock?
We maintain extensive inventory of UHMWPE materials: Sheets from 1mm to 100mm thick in sizes up to 2000mm × 3000mm. UHMW rods from 1mm to 300mm diameter in lengths up to 2000mm. Natural white and black are standard; green, blue, and custom colors available. We also offer cut-to-size services for your specific UHMW requirements.
What is the typical lead time for custom UHMW-PE parts?
Standard lead times for UHMW machining are 5-7 business days for prototypes and 10-15 days for production runs. Rush service is available for urgent UHMWPE projects. We provide accurate delivery estimates with every quote and keep you informed throughout the UHMW plastic manufacturing process.
Can UHMW-PE be welded or bonded?
Yes, UHMWPE can be welded using specialized techniques including hot gas welding, friction welding, and ultrasonic welding. However, due to UHMW's low surface energy, adhesive bonding requires surface treatment. Our team has expertise in joining UHMW-PE components and can recommend the best method for your application.
Ready to Experience the UHMW-PE Advantage?
Join thousands of engineers who've improved performance and reduced costs with our UHMWPE solutions. From custom UHMW machining to stock materials, we're your complete source for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
Email: beeplastic@beeplastic.com
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