Advantages of UHMWPE Rod UHMWPE is odourless, tasteless, and nontoxic, Has extremely low moisture absorption. Very low coefficient of friction…
The material is light weight, having a density of .93 – .94, making it lighter than water, thus it will float in water. This lightweight plastic will replace many other raw materials that are many times its weight. This factor makes the use of UHMW a common material for replacing less wear resistant materials and eliminates the need for external lubricants like are required with metals and other materials.
UHMW rod and UHMW profiles have evolved over the last 20 years. UHMW plastic is known as one of the best wearing plastic materials and for excellent abrasion resistance. UHMW has a very long molecular chain, which yields the exceptional wear resistance, but is very light weight.
The UHMW starts as a powdered resin. The most popular ways to produce a shape from this resin is through compression molding or ram extrusion.
Compression molding of UHMW SheetThe compression molding process starts with large metal platens which the resin is place on in a frame. Two platens are brought together under extreme pressure, and heated slowly to molding temperature. The temperatures are held until the resin is heated completely throughout the thickness of the material. The platens are then cooled slowly, over several hours, which eliminates the possibility of stress in the sheets.The finished product is a smooth and slippery plastic sheet. Some in the industry refer to UHMW as ‘The Poor Mans PTFE’. Other plastic materials in sheet and rod that are common for wear applications are: Acetal, Delrin, Nylon, PET, and PTFE. All of these materials are more expensive than the UHMW materials.
Ram Extrusion ProcessThe ram extrusion process is most common in producing UHMW rod or UHMW profiles or cross-sections. The same powdered resin is feed into an extrusion machine. But instead of the traditional screw process, this extruder has a large hydraulic ram that moves slowly back and forth. This ram slowly pushes the powdered resin through a long heated cylinder and then a die. This is a slow process, and each cycle of the ram may only produce a fraction of an inch of finished rod or profile.Because of this continuous process, lengths of UHMW rod or UHMW profiles can be produced in almost any lengths. Small profiles are produced into coils, and can be many hundreds of feet long. Larger cross-sections are commonly produced in 10 foot lengths.
UHMW Extruded ProfilesIndustry standard profile shapes include: C-Rail Cover with optional Aluminum Assembly, Drive Bar Cap, Dog Bone, Full & Half Round Snap-On, Bar Clip-On, J-Leg, Guide Rail Snap-On, Duravar Chain Guide Profiles, Roller Chain Profiles, and V & Round Roller Belt Profiles made to industry specifications.
Post time: Nov-30-2018