Ultra-high-molecular-weight
polyethylene (UHMWPE or sometimes shortened to UHMW), also known as
high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE) or high-performance polyethylene
(HPPE), is a subset of the thermoplastic polyethylene.It has
extremely long chains, with molecular weight numbering in the
millions, usually between 2 and 6 million. The longer chain serves
to transfer load more effectively to the polymer backbone by
strengthening intermolecular interactions. This results in a very
tough material, with the highest impact strength of any
thermoplastic presently made. It is highly resistant to corrosive
chemicals, with exception of oxidizing acids. It has extremely low
moisture absorption, has a very low coefficient of friction, is
self-lubricating, and is highly resistant to abrasion (in some
forms, *5 times more resistant to abrasion than carbon steel). Its
coefficient of friction is significantly lower than that of nylon
and acetal, and is comparable to that of polytetrafluoroethylene,
but UHMWPE has better abrasion resistance than PTFE. It is
odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic.
