When it comes to designing and crafting heavy-duty products, the materials they’re made with determine nearly all their capabilities. This is why manufacturers are constantly on the lookout for resources that provide strength and durability as well as flexibility and varying forms of resistance. UHMW-PE, or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, is one of the most stable materials we’ve invented to date—making it among the strongest things we can build with. These are some of the different applications for UHMW-PE and the properties that make this substance so important to modern inventions.
Boat Dock Bumpers
UHMW-PE is a form of high-density plastic that can be molded and cooled to suit a series of different purposes. As such, it’s very flexible and will often bend upon impact. This is what makes it a key component in the manufacturing of boat dock bumpers. Designed to protect docks from getting hit by passing boats, these covers are essential for maintaining these amenities. In fact, they’re used for military docking stations as well as private boating areas.
Packaging Materials
The mailability that UHMW-PE supplies also makes it a great product packaging material—though it needs to be made much thinner to do so. Since it’s a variety of plastic, it can create a tight seal that blocks out any elements that could harm an item. This is why it’s most often used for packing machinery parts and protecting them from dirt and water during transport. UHMW-PE has been safely used to package and store food products as well.
Dump Truck Bed Liners
Another common application for UHMW-PE is in the transportation industry—particularly with modifying heavy dump truck equipment. Formerly made of steel, these covers are meant to provide protection from damage that can occur during the transportation process. However, when this material wasn’t flexible enough, the industry made the switch to UHMW-PE. Now, this is one of the dominant materials bed liners are made from because they can flex with impact and regain their shape.
High-Speed Conveyor Components
But where UHMW-PE is most commonly seen, is in the construction of high-speed conveyor belts and the corresponding components. Because of how fast these belts can move, it’s common for friction to put a lot of wear and tear on them—shortening their overall lifespan. However, by crafting them out of UHMW-PE, which resists friction, less heat is generated between the parts and damage isn’t as frequent.
