UHMWPE Sheet : Durable Fender And Industrial Applications

UHMWPE sheets, made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene with a molecular weight exceeding 3 million g/mol, are versatile, high-performance materials designed for demanding applications such as marine fender pads, conveyor linings, and industrial linings. Renowned for their exceptional wear resistance—7 times greater than steel and 3 times that of nylon—these sheets are ideal for environments involving abrasive materials, heavy impacts, or corrosive conditions. Their low friction coefficient (0.009 compared to 0.013 for steel) and self-lubricating, non-adhesive properties prevent material buildup, ensuring smooth operation and reduced maintenance in applications like bulk material handling, port operations, and construction.

UHMWPE Sheet Properties and Engineering Properties
#	Item	Test Method	Unit	Criteria	Result
1	Density	ISO 1183	g/cm³	> 0.94	1.05
2	Tensile Strength	ISO 527	N/mm²	> 17	22
3	Elongation at Break	ISO 527	%	> 50%	140%
4	Abrasion (Sand Slurry)	ISO 15527	%	< 140%	120%
5	Notched Impact Strength (Charpy)	ISO 11542-2	mJ/mm²	> 50	80
6	Hardness (Shore D)	ISO 868	D	> 62	68
7	Melt Point (DSC)	ISO 11357	°C	> 135	139
8	Water Tightness	GB/T 328.10-2007	-	Non Leakage	Non Leakage
9	Water Absorption	GB/T 1034-2008	%	-	6.15 × 10⁻³
10	Vicat Softening Temperature	GB/T 1633-2000	°C	-	137

In marine applications, UHMWPE sheets serve as fender facing pads, dock bumpers, and car stoppers, providing superior impact resistance (5 times that of HDPE) and corrosion resistance against seawater, acids, and alkalis. Unlike steel, UHMWPE fenders do not require painting, as the color is molded into the material, reducing maintenance costs and resisting marine growth adhesion. The sheets’ resilience and stretch resistance allow them to absorb collision forces and rebound without deformation, making them ideal for protecting vessels and dock structures during berthing. Their non-toxic, environmentally friendly properties ensure no pollution during manufacturing or use, aligning with sustainable marine operations.

For bulk material handling, UHMWPE sheets are used as silo liners, chute liners, and bunker liners for materials like coal, lime, cement, mineral powder, salt, and grain. Their low water absorption (

UHMWPE sheets are also used in construction as outrigger pads for crane lifting and temporary road mats, offering lightweight yet robust support under heavy loads. In the sports industry, they serve as synthetic ice rink panels and barriers due to their low friction and durability. Available in custom sizes (50-1200mm width, up to 65mm thickness) and colors (natural, black, gray, yellow, white, blue, green, red), these sheets can be easily fabricated and fastened to steel, concrete, wood, or rubber surfaces using bolts or adhesives, simplifying installation. Their anti-aging properties ensure a service life of over 20 years without degradation under UV exposure or extreme temperatures (down to -196°C), and they pass 200-hour Xenon lamp aging tests without fading.

Compared to alternatives like HDPE or steel, UHMWPE sheets offer superior abrasion resistance, impact strength, and chemical stability, making them a cost-effective choice for long-term use. Their lightweight design—approximately one-third the weight of steel—reduces installation costs and energy consumption in dynamic applications like conveyor systems. For inquiries or custom orders, contact Shandong Buoy and Pipe Industry Co., Ltd. at sales@buoyandpipe.com.

UHMWPE Sheets areoften suited for the lining of chutes as well as hoppers. Their task is to protect the metal surfaces and keep the solid materials moving slowly. These are suited for the manufacturing of hydraulicbearings and seals. The provided sheets are apt to perform the medium mechanical duties in water, pneumatics, oil hydraulics, and unlubricated applications. UHMWPE Sheets are accessible with the good abrasion resistance and are suited to be kept on the soft mating surfaces.These sheets also boast ofexcellent waterproof capabilities and high abrasion resistance.

UHMW-PE is specified as polyethylene whose molecular weight is 3.1 million or greater. When making this resolution, it was located that physical residential or commercial properties raised rapidly as lower MW worths boosted, and after that leveled off at the 3,100,000 worth. Just like a lot of high-performance polymers, handling of UHMW-PE is not easy. Because of its high thaw thickness, traditional molding as well as extrusion procedures would break the long molecular chains that offer the product its superb homes. Existing production approaches include compression molding, ram extrusion and also warm creating of extruded slugs. UHMW-PE has superior abrasion resistance as well as an exceptionally low coefficient of rubbing. Effect stamina is high as well as chemical resistance is exceptional.

The material does not barge in impact toughness examinations using standard scratched samplings; double-notched specimens damage at 20 ft-lb/in (42.1 kJ/m2). UHMW-PE has a crystalline melting point of 267 ° F( 131 ° C). Advised optimal solution has to do with 200 ° F (93 ° C). Care ought to be taken when attaching UHMW-PE, as its big thermal development can create the product to bend in between bolts if they are also far apart.

What is UHMWPE?

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene pipe has superior performance over conventional HDPE pipe such as very high wear resistance, impact resistance, excellent resistance to internal pressure strength, resistance to environmental stress cracking, intrinsically self-lubricating, anti-adhesion, low temperature resistance and excellent chemical resistance.

With a molecular weight typically between 3.5 and 9.2 million g/mol, UHMWPE exhibits superior wear resistance, impact strength, and chemical stability, far exceeding conventional polyethylene or metal pipes in durability and performance.

Superior Wear Resistance

Offers 15× the wear resistance of steel and 4× that of stainless steel, ideal for high-abrasion conditions.

Lightweight Design

Weighs 8× less than steel (specific gravity 0.93–0.95), lowering transportation and installation costs.

Chemical Resistance

Excellent resistance to acids, alkalis, and organic solvents with zero corrosion in chemical environments.

UHMWPE Pipe Specifications

The specifications of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) pipes can vary based on the manufacturer, application, and specific requirements. However, here are some common specifications that are often associated with UHMWPE pipes:

Common Specifications of UHMWPE Pipes (Wall Thickness in mm)
DN mm	Wall Thickness (Working Pressure)
DN mm	0.6 MPa	0.8 MPa	1.0 MPa	1.25 MPa	1.6 MPa	2.0 MPa
65					8	9
96					9	10
110					8	10
130				8	10	12
159				10	12	15
168			8	10	13	16
205		8	10	12	15	18
219		9	11	13	16	20
236		10	12	14	18	22
250		10	12	15	19	23
273	9	11	13	16	21	25
280	9	11	14	17	21	26
300	10	12	15	18	23	27
315	10	12	15	19	24	29
325	10	13	16	19	24	30
350	11	14	17	21	26	32
377	12	15	18	22	28	35
400	12	16	19	24	30	36
415	13	16	20	25	31
426	13	17	20	25	32
536	16	21	26	23
560	16	22	27	33
630	19	25	30	37
652	20	26	32	38
710	21	27	34
800	23	31	38

Custom sizes available, where moulds already exist from 20–1400 mm OD, up to 65 mm wall thickness. Product can be manufactured in any colour and to all conformance requirements.

Property	Value	Unit
Molecular Weight	3.5 - 9.2 million	AMU
Specific Gravity	0.93 - 0.95	g/cm³
Tensile Strength	39 - 48	MPa
Impact Strength	Highest among thermoplastics	-
Operating Temperature	-200 to +80	°C
Friction Coefficient	0.05 - 0.15	-

Parameter	Range	Standard
Nominal Diameter	65 - 1200 mm	ISO 21304-1
Wall Thickness	8 - 45 mm	Custom
Standard Length	Up to 12 m	Custom
Pressure Rating	Up to 1.6 MPa	PN16
SDR Range	SDR11 - SDR33	ISO Standard
Tolerance	±1% diameter	Precision

UHMWPE is more durable and abrasion-resistant than HDPE. Its long polymer chains provide superior resistance to wear, allowing it to last up to 10 times longer than HDPE in high-wear applications. However, HDPE is easier to machine and weld, making it suitable for applications requiring fabrication.

Low melting point: Not suitable for high-temperature applications.
Limited UV resistance: Degrades under prolonged sunlight exposure.
Difficult to bond: Requires special adhesives or surface treatments.
Limited wear resistance in abrasive environments: Less effective than ceramics or metals.
Not ideal for high-load bearings: Low modulus may cause deformation.
Difficult to machine: Needs special tools due to high molecular weight.
Sensitive to oxidation: Degrades mechanical properties at elevated temperatures.
Water absorption: Can affect dimensional stability and strength.

Despite these drawbacks, UHMWPE remains useful for applications where its unique combination of durability and chemical resistance is advantageous.

The better material depends on the application:

UHMWPE: Ideal for industrial settings where friction, impact, and wear resistance are critical.
HDPE: Better for projects requiring welding or fabrication, such as chemical storage tanks or 3D-printed parts.

High abrasion resistance: Withstands significant wear, ideal for abrasive material transport.
Excellent impact strength: Absorbs high energy without damage.
Low coefficient of friction: Reduces friction and wear, lowering pumping costs.
Good chemical resistance: Suitable for various industrial chemicals.
Lightweight: Easier to install and transport than steel.
Low maintenance: Resists scaling and fouling.
Wide temperature range: Performs well in low to moderate temperatures.

Dredging and mining: Transporting slurries, sand, gravel.
Chemical processing: Transporting corrosive and abrasive chemicals.
Water and wastewater: Used in treatment facilities.
Food processing: FDA/USDA-approved grades used safely in food industries.
Construction: Used in tunnel escape routes and impact-resistant applications.

Low melting point: Unsuitable for high-temperature use.
Creep: May deform under long-term stress.
Cost: Higher initial cost compared to some alternatives.

Surface finish: Should be smooth, uniform, and bright.
Density: Pure UHMWPE floats in water; lower quality sinks.
End finish: Smooth, round ends with good verticality.
Flanging: UHMWPE can be flanged by heating; HDPE requires a stub end weld.

Yes, UHMWPE is available in several grades, each tailored for specific use cases:

Virgin UHMWPE: Standard grade for general use.
Reprocessed UHMWPE: Budget option for less critical applications.
Anti-static UHMWPE: Prevents static buildup.
Tivar: Designed for maximum wear resistance.
Tivar DrySlide: Combines anti-static and self-lubricating properties.

Industrial Applications

UHMWPE pipes are trusted across industries for their extreme abrasion resistance, chemical stability, and lightweight flexibility.

Mining & Mineral Processing

Transporting abrasive slurries, tailings, and mineral concentrates with 4–7x longer service life than steel pipes.

Dredging & Marine

Natural buoyancy and corrosion resistance make it ideal for floating pipeline systems in dredging applications.

Power Generation

Reliable in handling fly ash, bottom ash, and high-temperature residues with reduced energy losses.

Chemical Processing

Safely handles corrosive fluids, solvents, and chemical effluents with excellent resistance properties.

Food & Beverage

Smooth, non-stick surfaces prevent bacterial adhesion and meet hygienic standards in food-grade systems.

Medical & Pharmaceutical

Used in drug delivery, cleanroom piping, and medical devices due to its biocompatibility and purity.

UHMWPE Sheet

UHMWPE Sheet

15×

8×

9.2M

1200mm