Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (PE-UHMW)

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (PE-UHMW) is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic designed for applications exposed to continuous friction, abrasion and impact.

Product grades such as ISO-MOL® and ISO-LEN® 1000 are manufactured in Germany by ISO-TECH Kunststoff GmbH. ISO-MOL® has a reference molecular weight of 9.2 million g/mol and combines high impact resistance with excellent sliding and wear properties, making it well suited to demanding industrial applications.

Across industrial operations, PE-UHMW can be used for hopper, silo and chute linings in bulk-material handling systems; chain guides, wear strips, gears and rollers in conveyor systems; cutting table supports and machine components in the food industry; fenders, bumpers and sliding elements in port and hydraulic engineering; as well as scrapers, suction coverings and filter-press components in the paper, packaging and chemical industries. These applications reflect the broad use of engineered thermoplastic components across industrial sectors.

KEY FEATURES OF PE-UHMW

With a coefficient of friction of approximately 0.08, PE-UHMW offers excellent sliding properties. In material-handling applications, this low-friction surface can help reduce resistance to material flow, limit sticking and jamming, and support more stable equipment operation.

Its high wear resistance also makes PE-UHMW a practical choice for liners, guides and machine components operating under continuous sliding or abrasive contact. ISO-TECH describes ISO-MOL® as having even better sliding properties and wear resistance than ISO-LEN® 1000.

PE-UHMW also provides very high impact resistance. In the ISO 179 notched impact test, ISO-MOL® is recorded as “no break.” Its water absorption is below 0.01%, supporting dimensional and functional stability in humid operating environments.

The reference operating temperature range is −200 to +80°C for long-term service, with short-term exposure up to +90°C. The material has a melting temperature of 130–135°C. Food-contact versions complying with EU 10/2011 and FDA requirements are available upon request.

GENERAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Property	Value	Standard
Material designation	PE-UHMW	ISO 1043-1
Density	0.93 g/cm³	ISO 1183-1
Molecular weight	9.2 million g/mol	—
Water absorption at 23°C	< 0.01%	ISO 62
Tensile stress	≈ 20 MPa	ISO 527-2
Elongation at break	> 200%	ISO 527-2
Notched impact strength	No break	ISO 179
Shore D hardness	61	ISO 868
Wear resistance, Sand-Slurry Test	73%	ISO 15527
Coefficient of friction	μ ≈ 0.08	—
Tensile modulus of elasticity	> 700 MPa	ISO 527-2

THERMAL PROPERTIES

Property	Value	Standard
Thermal conductivity at 23°C	0.4 W/(K·m)	DIN 52612
Linear thermal expansion, 23–60°C	20 × 10⁻⁵ K⁻¹	ISO 11359-2
Short-term operating temperature	−200 to +90°C	—
Long-term operating temperature	−200 to +80°C	—
Flammability rating	HB	UL 94
Melting temperature	130–135°C	ISO 11357

ELECTRICAL AND FOOD-CONTACT PROPERTIES

Property	Value	Standard
Volume resistivity	≥ 10¹² Ω·cm	IEC 60093
Surface resistivity	≥ 10¹² Ω	IEC 60093
Dielectric strength	≤ 45 kV/mm	IEC 60243
Food-contact suitability	Available upon request	EU 10/2011; FDA

CUSTOM SUPPLY, FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION

Gia Anh supplies PE-UHMW in full-size sheets, cut-to-size formats and fully machined components to suit specific equipment and application requirements.

Components can be produced according to customer drawings using CNC milling and turning, allowing PE-UHMW to be supplied not only as sheet material but also as finished parts ready for installation. ISO-TECH itself manufactures both sheet materials and customised milled and turned thermoplastic components for a wide range of industrial applications.

For anti-adhesion and low-friction lining applications, Gia Anh’s technical team can assess the existing equipment and operating conditions, recommend an appropriate liner thickness and fastening arrangement, define edge-treatment details, and develop an installation method suited to the equipment structure.

This approach helps ensure that material selection, fabrication and installation are considered as part of the same engineering solution rather than as separate steps.

For further information, please contact Gia Anh Investment and Trading Joint Stock Company (GAC).

Hotline: 0962 887 883