UHMWPE denotes Ultra High Molecular Weight
Polyethylene which is a polyethylene polymer
with an average molecular weight is greater
than 3,100,000 as defined by ASTM D4020 – Standard specification for UHMWPE polymers.
This molecular weight is well above the
molecular weight of most typical polymers
which are between 1,000,000 and 400,000
thus earning the title Ultra-High Molecular
Weight Polyethylene. Polyethylenes with
molecular weight in the 3.1 -4.5 Million range
have been found to exhibit the best
combination of impact strength and abrasion
resistance. For Polyethylene molecular weight
classification the following guidelines can be
used:
HDPE (High Density Polyethylene): 100,000 – 400,000 MW
HMWHDPE (High Molecular Weight High
Density Polyethylene) 500,000 – 1,999,999
VHMWHDPE (Very High Molecular Weight
High Density Polyethylene) 2,000,000 –
3,100,000
