Polyethylene (PE) a.k.a HMW-PE | PE500
High Molecular Weight Polyethylene - Molecular weight +/- 500,000 g/mol
High molecular weight low pressure polyethylene (PE-HMW) with a molecular weight of approximately 0.5 g/mol. Thanks to the use of specially selected additives it is possible to enhance the material PE500 (HMW-PE) according to the respective specific demands. This is primarily accomplished by the use of lubricants.
​
Polyethylene is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic with high toughness and chemical resistance, but rather low mechanical strength in comparison to other plastics and cannot be used at high temperatures. The different polyethylenes differ in regard to their molar mass (molecular weight), which is important for the respective physical properties. This means that in addition to the common properties that all types have, certain ones have type-specific properties.
​
Standard Colours: White / Black
Properties for HMW-PE | PE500
-
Good sliding properties
-
High bending- and impact strength
-
Easy to machine, easy for welding
-
Anti-bacterial
-
Good chemical and electrical resistance
-
No humid or water absorPtion
-
Wear and impact resistance is high
-
low coefficient of friction
Fields of Application for HMW-PE | PE500
-
Excellent wear properties and good sliding properties
-
Highly resistant to bending and impact
-
Highest resistance to cold
-
Cutting table surfaces
-
Agitator blades
-
Wall linings in refrigeration rooms
-
Impact bands
-
Knife blocks
-
Gears and Rollers
-
Starwheels
-
Machine Parts
-
Guides and Fixtures
-
Catering Equipment
-
Processed Food Moulds
-
Leisure Products
Sliding properties
PE-HMW (PE 500; molar mass approx. 500,000 g/mol) has better sliding properties because of its higher molar mass and is also more abrasion resistant than PE-HD. In combination with its good level of toughness, it is suitable for use in low load components that are not subject to any high degree of sliding abrasion.
​
Chemical resistance
All PE types are resistant to acids, alkaline solutions, salts and salt solutions, alcohols, oils, fats, waxes and many solvents. Aromatics and halogenated hydrocarbons cause swelling. All PE types are not resistant to strong oxidising materials (e.g. nitric acid, chromic acid or halogens), and there is a danger of stress corrosion cracking.
​
Weathering effects
As a general rule, no PE types are resistant to UV rays. This does not apply to the black coloured types, which are resistant to UV rays also in combination with atmospheric oxygen.
​
Behaviour in fire
All PE types are rated as normal flammable. When the source of ignition is removed they continue to burn and form droplets. However, apart from carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water, only small quantities of carbon black and molecular constituents of the plastic develop as conflagration gases. The oxygen index (the oxygen concentration required for combustion) at 18% is low compared to other plastics.
​
Machining
In addition to the good welding properties of PE-HD and PE-HMW, all PE types can also be machined on machine tools. The semi-finished products can be drilled, milled, sawed, planed and turned on a lathe. It is also possible to cut a thread into the material or insert a threaded element. As a rule, no cooling or lubricating emulsion is necessary
​
When machining thermoplastic stock shapes, remember...
• Thermal expansion is up to 10 times greater with plastics than metals.
• Plastics lose heat more slowly than metals, so avoid localized overheating.
• Softening (and melting) temperatures of plastics are much lower than metals and plastics are much more elastic than metals.
​
Coolants
Coolants are generally not required for most machining operations, but are strongly suggested during drilling operations, especially with notch sensitive materials such as Nylon, PET-P, PAI, PBI and glass or carbon reinforced products. In addition to minimizing localized part heat-up, coolants prolong tool life. For optimum surface finishes and close tolerances, non-aromatic, water soluble coolants are suggested. General purpose petroleum based cutting fluids, although suitable for many metals and plastics, may contribute to stress cracking of amorphous plastics such as Polycarbonate. Because of these differences, you may wish to experiment with fixtures, tool materials, angles, speeds and feed rates to obtain optimum results.
[hdpe sheeting], "hdpe plastic sheets", [polyethylene manufacturers], hdpe liners, black hdpe sheet, "hdpe cutting board material", "hdpe sheet suppliers", "hdpe supplier", "hdpe high density polyethylene", "hdpe liner suppliers", "hdpe suppliers", hdpe lining, hdpe liner, [polyethylene supplier], [hdpe plastic sheet], [hdpe sheets], [hdpe sheet], [sheet hdpe], [hdpe], [polyethylene suppliers]