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  • UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight ...

UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene)

uhmw polyethylene ultra high molecular weight polyethylene

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, commonly known as UHMW or UHMW-PE, is a lightweight and long-wearing engineering plastic material. Many variations of UHMW are available including FDA compliant, Static Dissipative and UV resistant to name a few.

These variants allow UHMW shapes to be machined int parts for a variety of applications. As a distributor, thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics stocks all grades of UHMW shapes from all the top US manufacturers including Rochling, Quadrant, Ensinger and more.

Features and Benefits of UHMW-PE

  • Excellent abrasion resistance

  • Excellent impact resistance

  • Very low coefficient of friction

  • Chemically inert

  • Self-lubricating

  • FDA and USDA compliant for food contact

  • Causes no unwanted smell, taste, or discoloration; will not stain even with foods like tomatoes

  • Easy to machine

  • Helps reduce noise

  • Highly effective replacement for metal parts

thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics offers polyethylene sheet in virgin, TIVAR, and Eco, and reprocessed grades, in 48” lengths and various standard widths up to 120”. We can also cut-to-size to give you custom UHMW sheets that match the exact dimensions you need.

Our UHMW polyethylene rod is available in four standard lengths and various diameters up to 5”. We also offer cut-to-length service, as needed.

Request a quote today on UHMW-PE materials for your application or contact us to learn more.

UHMW Polyethylene Products

TIVAR® CleanStat, and its close counterparts TIVAR® ESD and TIVAR® EC are specifially designed to protect against electrical charge build-up and hazardous static discharge (ESD).this highly specialized UHMW sheet provides all the excellent qualities of UHMW plus anti-static protection that lasts the entire life of the product. The surface range of TIVAR® CleanStat is 105 to 109 (ohms/sq). To compare, TIVAR® EC has a surface resistivity of <105.

Color: Black

Thickness: 0.5" - 1.0"

Length: 48"

Width: 120"

Grade: CleanStat

Features and Benefits of TIVAR® CleanStat, TIVAR® ESD, and TIVAR® EC

  • Surface range of TIVAR® CleanStat is 105 to 109
  • Excellent wear resistance
  • Chemical resistant
  • ​Low coefficient of friction
Common Applications for TIVAR® CleanStat, TIVAR® ESD, and TIVAR® EC
  • Conveyor components and assemblies including
  • Chain guides
  • Bearings
  • Wear guides
  • Wear strips
  • Rail guides
  • Chute liners
  • Hopper liners
  • Trough liners
  • Slide liners
  • Discharge spout liners
  • Flights
  • Robotics parts
Industries Using TIVAR® CleanStat, TIVAR® ESD, and TIVAR® EC
  • Explosives
  • Munitions
  • Chemical plants
  • Grain handling
  • Package handling
  • Cereal production
  • Dry food production
  • Food production bakeries
  • Pet food industry

UHMW-PE is available in a reprocessed form. This economical alternative is made partially from ground UHMW that is processed into new shapes. Properties of reprocessed UHHW can be less than virgin grade UHMW, but it is still a good material for many industrial applications. Reprocessed UHMW shapes are not FDA compliant. It is available in a distinctive green color as well as black.

Color: Black, Green

Thickness: 0.125" - 3.0"

Length: 24, 48, 60"

Width: 96, 120"

Grade: Reprocessed

Features and Benefits of Reprocessed UHMW-PE

  • Lower cost than virgin grade UHMW-PE but some reduction in properties
  • Noise dampening
  • Low friction
  • No moisture absorption
  • Chemical resistant
  • Wear resistant
  • Corrosion resistant
Common Applications for Reprocessed UHMW-PE
  • Non-Food contact parts in conveyor systems and assemblies
  • Industrial applications
  • Gears
  • Sprockets
  • Guides
  • Bushings
  • Rail Guides
  • Chain guides
  • Plow blades
  • Scraper blades
  • Augers

Quadrant Engineering Plastics TIVAR® Ceram P® is often recognized by it's unique lime green color. But the differences between this and other UHMW materials don't stop there.
TIVAR® Ceram P® is designed specifically for high load / high speed applications where severe sliding and abrasion can be a problem. It is a shatter-resistant alternative to traditional sintered ceramic. It is available in both sheet and rod.

Color: Green

Thickness: 0.187" - 1.0"

Length: 48"

Width: 120"

Grade: Ceram P

Features of TIVAR® Ceram P®

  • High tensile strength
  • Excellent wear resistance
  • No moisture absorption
  • Helps reduce noise levels
  • Self-lubricating
  • High wear resistance
  • Corrosion resistant
Typical Industries that use TIVAR® Ceram P®
  • Agriculture
  • Lumber processing
  • Paper and pulp mills
  • Steel Mills
  • High wear applications
  • High load applications
  • High speed and applications where severe sliding and abrasion is a risk
Common Applications for TIVAR® Ceram P®
  • Applications where noise reduction is needed
  • Applications that ypically use sintered ceramic parts
  • Bearing pads
  • Bushings
  • CAMS for fruit pitting machines
  • Conveyor line parts including bearings, belt guides, chain guides, curves, guide rails, wearstrips
  • Pump impellers and wear rings in Selser pumps
  • Wire belt pullys
  • Rollers
  • Telescoping boom pads
TIVAR® Ceram P® is made from virgin polymer with proprietary additives. It should be noted, that unlike many TIVAR® materials Ceram P® is not FDA or USDA compliant.

In the TIVAR® line of engineering plastics by Quadrant EPP TIVAR® DS is modifed to posses even higher than average molecular weight over standard UHMW PE materials. TIVAR@ DS provides parts with supeior wear resistance and better sliding properties over TIVAR® 1000.
TIVAR® DS is available in a distinct yellow color as well as a grey and both are available in a FDA compliant grade.

Color: Black, Yellow

Thickness: 0.125 - 2.00"

Length: 48"

Width: 120"

Grade: DS

Features of TIVAR® DS:

  • Excellent wear resistance
  • No water absorption
  • Improved sliding properties over TIVAR® 1000
  • Very low coefficient of friction
  • May allow for faster operating speeds of equipment such as conveyors
  • Available in yellow and grey sheet and rod
Applications and Industries using TIVAR® DS:
  • Food Processing
  • Conveyor applications
  • Impact rails for slider beds
  • Suction box covers
  • Forming boards
  • Wearstrips
  • Wear pads
  • UHLE Box Tops
  • Chain guides

Standard UHMW-PE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) is not considered UV stable. It will degrade fairly quickly when exposed to sun and other UV light. However, UV resistant UHMW stock shapes contain additives that aid in the ability of UHMW to withstand direct sunlight or other forms of UV light. The UV resistant UHMW is available in black and it can be done in custom colors, but minimum quantity orders would be required.

Color: Black

Thickness: 0.250 - 0.500"

Length: 48"

Width: 96, 120"

Grade: UV Resistant

Features and Benefits of UV Resistant UHMW Sheet:

  • On average stability is 3 X better than standard UHMW when used outside or under UV light
  • No moisture absorption
  • Low coefficient of friction
  • Abrasion Resistant

UHMW is available in a special anti-static grade that helps protect against EsD (static discharge) or to help keep dust and particles from building up on the product surface. The anti-static additives are built-in so the anti-static properties will last throughout the life of the material. UHMW Anti-Static grade is often used to replace machined metal parts and is often found to perform better and provide a longer pat life than metal parts.

It is ideal in any situation where static discharge is a concern or in applications where high levels of friction may be causing wear. For example in areas where steel parts are traditionally used, parts from UHMW cause less heat build-up due to reduced friction leading to longer part life.

Color: Black

Thickness: 0.375 - 4.50"

Length: 48"

Width: 96, 120"

Grade: Anti Static

Features and Benefits of UHMW Anti-Static

  • Protects against dust build-up on mateiral surface
  • Resists build-up of static electricity to help prevent static discharge
  • Excellent durability
  • Good impact resistance
  • Good chemical resistance
  • Excellent abrasion resistance
  • No moisture absorption
  • Very low coefficient of friction
Common Applications for UHMW Anti-Static Grade Sheet
  • Conveyor guards
  • Belt scrapers
  • Chain guides
  • Idler rollers

UHMW-PE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) is available in a metal detectable grade to meet the food industry's need for parts that are tough, FDA compliant and fully lot and batch traceable. Most importantly metal detectable UHMW pieces or particles are designed to be detected during the food production process to help ensure higher levels of safety and minimize the potential of fragments contaminating food products. Specifics vary based on manufacturer, however TIVAR® MD as an example can be dectected in particles as small as 3 x 3 x 3mm.*

Color: Blue

Thickness: 0.250"

Length: 48"

Width: 120"

Grade: UHMW

Features and Benefits of UHMW Metal Detectable Stock Shapes

  • Available in FDA / EU compliant grades
  • Good impact resistance
  • High wear resistance
  • Fairly easy to machine
  • Corrosion resistant
  • Resistant to many cleaners
  • Noise dampening
  • Lightweight
Common Applications for UHMW Metal Detectable Grade Stock Shapes
  • Food processing applications where parts will come into direct contact with food
  • Conveyor parts
  • Wear strips
  • Chain guides
  • Sprockets
  • Scraper blades
  • Mixer componenets
  • Gears
  • Bushings
  • Bearings

Common Trade Names for Metal Detectable UHMW
  • Polystone M MDT
  • TIVAR® MD (Meets FDA and EU Directive 2002/72 EC standards)

*Metal detecable plastics should always be tested with the spefici detection equipment in order to verify how it will work with that equipment.

TIVAR® Dryslide is a Quadrant EPP material designed to have exceptional electro static dissipative properties that make it ideal for use in very dry dusty environments.TIVAR® Dryslide is made with a proprietary blend of special lubricants that give this material the lowest coefficient of friction of any other TIVAR® product to date. It's so low that even shrink wrap won't stick! To determine the best TIVAR® material for your application give us a call. We are trained and experienced with Quadrant TIVAR® as well as other high quality brands of engineering plastics.

Color: Black

Thickness: 0.375"

Length: 48"

Width: 120"

Grade: Dryslide

Features and Benefits of TIVAR® Dryslide

  • Lowest coefficient of friction among all TIVAR® materials
  • Self-lubricating
  • Electro Static Dissipative (Anti-static)
  • Corrosion resistant
  • Reduces noise
  • No moisture absorption
Common Applications for TIVAR® Dryslide
  • Food processing and conveyor applications where conditions are very dry and dusty
  • Bearings
  • Belt Guides
  • Chain Guides
  • Hopper and chute liners
  • Roller covers
  • Transfer plates
  • Wearstrips
  • Conveyer curve guides

Virgin grade UHMW sheet (UHMW polyethylene or UHMW-PE) provides excellent combination of dynamic characteristics. Virgin grade UHMW sheet has the capabilities of withstanding chemicals, abrasion, and it has high impact resistance. Additionally, virgin UHMW-PE sheets also exhibit good wear resistance and toughness, which makes this engineering plastic a popular replacement for metal materials in many situations. Virgin Grade UHMW-PE is also FDA- and USDA-compliant making it a popular choice for applications in the food processing industry where direct contact with food is possible. These and other characteristics make UHMW virgin polyethylene sheets ideal for a wide range of applications.

Color: Black, Natural

Thickness: 0.060" - 4.00"

Length: 14, 40, 48, 60"

Width: 24, 72, 96, 120, 144"

Grade: GP, Virgin, UV Resistant, UV Stable

Virgin Polyethylene Sheet Applications:
thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics maintains inventory of virgin grade UHMW sheets up to 1” thick and 48” lengths as well as a range of standard widths up to 120”. We also custom cut UHMW sheet to match your exact specifications. Some of the industrial uses of virgin grade UHMW sheet, include:

  • Chair and belt guides
  • Wear strips, guide rails and neck guides
  • Corner tracks
  • Spiral Conveyors
  • Extruded profiles and guide rails
  • Other construction parts and components

Virgin Grade UHMW Sheet Properties

Virgin UHMW-PE sheets are lightweight and long wearing. UHMW exhibits excellent chemical, abrasion, and impact resistance, as well as a low coefficient of friction. Virgin UHMW sheets have very low moisture-absorbing characteristics. In food processing applications UHMW is and excellent choice for applications where strong smells or discoloration from food is an issue. The ultra high molecular weight creates a highly dense inert material that does not absorb food smell, taste, or color, even from foods like tomatoes that tend to cause staining.

It is important to note that UHMW-PE Virgin grade is FDA- and USDA-approved for direct contact with food. However, not all grade of UHMW are compliant so be sure to specify when you require FDA, USDA or other compliance. As a stocking distributor tkEP provides full to and batch traceability and, if applicable we provide REACH compliance documentation. Talk to our sales group today for more information 866-837-0679 for more information or assistance.

Virgin UHMW-PE sheets are an effective replacement for metal materials in part manufacturing. Parts made from UHMW polyethylene help reduce weight and noise.

UHMW polyethylene (also known as UHMW-PE) is a lightweight, long-wearing, easily machine-able engineered plastic. It exhibits excellent abrasion and impact resistance, is chemically inert and self-lubricating, with a low coefficient of friction. UHMW-PE is also FDA- and USDA-compliant. Polyethylene rod offers good wear resistance and toughness, making it a popular replacement for metals, including stainless steel.

thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics has the UHMW polyethylene rod you need. We offer general purpose UHMW rod in 12”, 24”, 36” and 48” lengths and a variety of standard diameters from 1-1/4” to 5”. As needed, we can also custom cut UHMW rod to your specified length.

Color: Natural

Outside Diameter: 1.25" - 5"

Length: 12, 24, 36, 48, 96"

Grade: GP

UHMW-PE Properties:
UHMW rod is a versatile material that offers high chemical, abrasion, and impact resistance, and a low coefficient of friction. UHMW polyethylene rod causes no unwanted smell, taste, or discoloration, and will not stain, making it ideal for food processing applications. UHMW is FDA- and USDA-approved for direct contact with food.

When used as a replacement for metal materials, polyethylene rod can help reduce weight and noise.

TIVAR Eco-Grade UHMW is partially composed of recycled, reprocessed UHMW-PE material. Although it’s overall properties are somewhat lower than virgin grade UHMW polyethylene, Eco-Grade UHMW does offer better impact strength and wear resistance. It is FDA- and USDA-compliant, making it ideal for a variety of industries and applications.

thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics has the TIVAR Eco-Grade UHMW sheet your application requires. We offer this specialty UHMW-PE material in 48” x 120” sheets, in 1/4” and 1/2” thicknesses. We can also custom cut Eco-Grade UHMW sheet to match your unique specifications.

Color: Black

Thickness: 0.125" - 1.75"

Length: 48, 60"

Width: 120"

Grade: Eco-Grade

Eco-Grade UHMW PropertiesEco-Grade UHMW sheet exhibits high resistance to chemicals and abrasion, along with a low coefficient of friction. It offers higher impact strength and greater wear resistance than virgin UHMW. TIVAR Eco-Grade UHMW polyethylene sheet causes no unwanted smells, tastes, or discoloration. It is FDA- and USDA-approved for direct food contact.

This sturdy, lightweight material makes an effective replacement for metal materials in part manufacturing. Parts made from Eco-Grade UHMW-PE can reduce weight and operational noise.

TIVAR® H.O.T. is a UHMW specially formulated to work in extended temperature ranges of up to 275° F. This is nearly 100 degress higher than other TIVAR® formulations. TIVAR® H.O.T. is a bright white thermoplastic that has gained acceptance in a number of industries, but particualrly in food processing applications where high temperatures and harsh wash downs are done frequently. It should be noted that, while many UHMW materials are available in white or black TIVAR® H.O.T. grade is only available in white.

Color: White

Thickness: 0.125" - 0.625"

Length: 48"

Width: 120"

Grade: Hot

Features and Benefits of TIVAR® H.O.T.

  • Special formulation inhibits oxidationfor extended part life
  • Excellent wear resistance
  • Extended rnage of operating temperatures over other TIVAR grades
  • Abrasion resistant
  • No moisutre absorption
  • Corrosion resistant
  • FDA compliant for Food contact
  • USDA compliant and 3-A dairy compliant
Common Industries and Applications that use TIVAR® H.O.T.
  • Industrial applications where materials will be exposed to operating conditions of up to 275° F
  • Poultry and meat processing
  • Poutry and meat packaging
  • Large bakeries and bakery conveyor lines
  • Grain elevators'Drying and dehydrating operations
  • Wearstrips
  • Conveyor flights

Compared to similar materials TIVAR® HPV provides improved performance in conveyor systems where high friction and wear are an issue. TIVAR® HPV is design specifically to handle high wear and high velocity situations. It has an exceptionally low coefficient of friction paired with a high limiting pressure velocity when compared to similar engineering plastic options. In addition TIVAR® HPV is FDA compliant for direct food contact so it can be used in your most challenging conveyor situtations.

For safety and quality teams the lower friction also means reduced noise which can improve workplace conditions.

Customers who have tried TIVAR® HPV have noted they can run longer productive cycles before their conveyor systems require maintenance downtime. Other benefits include lower energy costs due to reduced friction and even higher line speeds. In the end many find a good cost benefit to switching to TIVAR® HPV.

Color: Blue

Thickness: 0.25" - 2"

Length: 24, 48"

Width: 48, 120"

Grade: HPV

*Features and Benefits of TIVAR® HPV

  • FDA Compliant
  • Built-In dry lubricant decreases maintenance time and improves performance
  • Noise reduction
  • Very low wear of belts and slide plates
  • LPV value approx. 18-35% higher than competitive materials
  • COF reduced by 80% over standard POM-C
Common Applications for TIVAR® HPV
  • Conveyor componenents in high wear and high speed areas
  • Bearings
  • Componenets where noise reduction is needed
  • Conveyor parts that will be exposed to harsh cleaning agents

*Statements are from manufacturer documents. All materials should be tested before use to determine if they are appropriate for the intended application.

TIVAR® 88 - The ultimate material choice for liner applications in outdoor, dusty or volitile environments. The extremely low frictionpromotes the flow of bulk solids. TIVAR® 88 is a proprietary material from Quadrant EPP and is available in several variations depending on the needs of an application. TIVAR® 88-2 can be welded and fabricated to create seamless drop-in liners and replacement liners. TIVAR® 88 with BurnGuard™ is a self-extinguishing version that meets MSHA 1C-112/1 for underground mining. TIVAR® 88 with BurnGuard™ also meets UL94-V-0 flammability rating.

Color: Blue

Thickness: 0.25" - 0.5"

Length: 48"

Width: 120"

Grade: Tivar 88

Features and Benefits of TIVAR® 88

  • UV Resistant for outdoor applications
  • Chemical Resistant
  • Corrosion Resistant
  • No moisture absorption
  • Low coefficient of friction
  • Electro Static Dissipative (EsD)
Common Industries that use TIVAR® 88 TIVAR® 88-2 or TIVAR® 88 with BurnGuard™
  • Power Distribution
  • Railway transportation
  • Steel mills
  • Concrete manufacturing
  • Chemical plants
  • Grain elevators
  • Mineral and metal mining
Common Applications that use TIVAR® 88 TIVAR® 88-2 or TIVAR® 88 with BurnGuard™
  • Belt scrapers
  • Bunker liners
  • Chain conveyor flights
  • Chute liners
  • Conveyor skirting
  • Cyclones
  • Drag chain conveyor liners
  • Dragline buckets
  • Hopper liners
  • Dust collectors
  • Buckets for front end loaders
  • Heavy equipment bed liners
  • Pugmill paddles
  • Reclaimer buckets
  • Screw conveyor lines
  • Hoppers in self-loading/unloading ships
  • Silo liners
  • Slider beds
  • Storage bin liners
  • Surge bin liners
  • Transfer chute liners
  • Underneath chain guides
  • Wearstrips
  • Vibrating bin dischargers
  • Vibratory feeder liners

Properties of UHMW-PE:

UHMW polyethylene causes no unwanted smell, taste, or discoloration, and meets FDA and USDA requirements for direct food contact. It is highly resistant to moisture absorption and is chemical resistant, and as such is easy to clean and sterilize using water, steam, detergents, or disinfectants.
UHMW-PE exhibits excellent abrasion and impact resistance, as well as a low coefficient of friction. UHMW parts are ideal replacements for metal parts in many applications, as they can help reduce weight, noise, and cost.

Common Applications for UHMW:

UHMW Machined parts for conveyor lines - UHMW polyethylene is an excellent material of construction for high wear parts in facilities where conveyor line noise is an issue. Packaging machines utilizing UHMW-PE components run quieter, and in some cases may achieve faster conveyor speeds thanks to the material’s low coefficient of friction. The low coefficient of friction also gives UHMW excellent release properties, preventing buildups and bottlenecking on conveyor lines moving food products or other potentially-sticky substances.

UHMW machined parts for replacing metal parts - UHMW-PE has also proven to be a good replacement for metal parts such as large chutes, wear strips, guides, and rollers. It provides excellent performance in packaging equipment applications, and its high abrasion resistance and excellent wear properties give it long working life, even in nonstop or high-cycle operations.

  • Chutes
  • Conveyor line guides
  • Rollers
  • Wear strips
  • Bumpers
  • Guides
  • Wet environment and submerged applications

Common Trade Names for UHMW:

  • POLYSTONE®
  • SOLIDUR®
  • DURAVAR®
  • GAR-DUR®
  • TIVAR® 1000
  • TIVAR® 88
  • TIVAR® Dryslide
  • TIVAR® ESD / Cleanstat
  • TIVAR® UV Resistant
  • TIVAR® Oil Filled
  • TIVAR® Ceram P®
  • TIVAR® H.O.T.
  • TIVAR® DockGuard
  • TIVAR® PolySteel

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