UHMW-PE · flame-retardant grade
UHMW-PE-FR
Properties of the FR condition, compared with the other UHMW-PE grades.
Specified for underground mining chutes, coal bunkers and rail/transit liners that must meet flame-spread and self-extinguishing requirements.
What is UHMW-PE-FR?
UHMW-PE-FR is UHMW-PE in the FR grade — specified for underground mining chutes, coal bunkers and rail/transit liners that must meet flame-spread and self-extinguishing requirements. UHMW-PE-FR has a yield strength of 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) and a tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) — weaker than 85% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 180% and the elastic modulus is 0.72 GPa (0.104 Msi). UHMW-PE-FR has a density of 1.02 g/cm³ (0.0368 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -120°C (-184 °F). FDA is the default condition FabDigit quotes; FR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low moisture uptake — 0.01%, better than 97% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.41 W/m·K (0.237 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 81% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 81% of polymer grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 3.5 MPa·√m (3.19 ksi·√in), better than 80% of polymer grades
Limitations
- High mold shrinkage — 3%, worse than 96% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 25/100, worse than 90% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 21 MPa (3.05 ksi), worse than 85% of polymer grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 81% of polymer grades
UHMW-PE-FR properties
Typical room-temperature values for UHMW-PE-FR — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every UHMW-PE grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical6
UHMW-PE-FR has a density of 1.02 g/cm³ (0.0368 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -120°C (-184 °F).
Mechanical15
UHMW-PE-FR has a yield strength of 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) and a tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) — weaker than 85% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 180% and the elastic modulus is 0.72 GPa (0.104 Msi).
Thermal11
UHMW-PE-FR is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °F). It conducts heat at 0.41 W/m·K (0.237 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 200 µm/m·K (111.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
UHMW-PE-FR is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 30 kV/mm (762 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 81% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of UHMW-PE-FR takes about 85 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 79% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability6
UHMW-PE-FR's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 73% of polymer grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other UHMW-PE grades and fills
UHMW-PE is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the UHMW-PE overview.
- FDADefaultDefault choice: 100 % virgin GUR resin, natural white, compliant with FDA/EU 10/2011 food contact (medical implant grades GUR 1020/1050 in the same family).21 MPa yield · 64 Shore D
- UVPick for outdoor liners, dock fenders and exposed wear parts where sunlight would embrittle natural sheet.38 MPa tensile
- FRSpecified for underground mining chutes, coal bunkers and rail/transit liners that must meet flame-spread and self-extinguishing requirements.26 MPa tensile
- Ceramic FilledUse where abrasive ore or aggregate impact would quickly wear plain UHMW liners and higher surface hardness plus better dimensional stability is needed.24 MPa tensile
- XLPERadiation cross-linked (often vitamin-E stabilised) UHMWPE for hip/knee bearing surfaces: far lower wear rate, at the cost of ductility and toughness.23 MPa yield · 66 Shore D
- ESDUse in explosive-dust silos, coal/grain handling and electronics areas where charge build-up on plastic liners must be bled away.20 MPa yield · 65 Shore D
- ReprocessedLowest-cost option for thick sacrificial liners, truck-bed and hopper linings where certification and top-end impact strength are not required.19 MPa yield · 64 Shore D
- Oil FilledChoose for unlubricated sliding, star-wheel and chain guides where the lowest coefficient of friction and least noise/stick-slip is wanted.17 MPa yield · 62 Shore D
Working with UHMW-PE-FR
Is UHMW-PE easy to machine?
Machines fast with sharp positive-rake tools, high rake/large clearance, high feed and no coolant needed (air blast preferred); expect springback, gummy stringy chips and dimensional relaxation — rough, rest, then finish.
Can UHMW-PE be welded?
Effectively unweldable by conventional fusion because the melt does not flow; joints are made by mechanical fastening (with clearance for expansion), hot-plate/friction sintering, or specialist UHMW welding rod for surface repair; adhesive bonding requires corona/plasma or flame surface treatment.
Can UHMW-PE be formed, bent or molded?
Made as compression-moulded sheet or ram-extruded rod/profile at 180–220 °C rather than injection moulded; flat sheet can be line-bent or press-formed after through-heating to ~140 °C, and skived thin liner is a standard product form.
What surface finishes work on UHMW-PE?
No paint, plating or anodising will adhere without surface activation; leave as-machined or flame/plasma treat for printing and adhesives — surface stays waxy and cannot be polished to gloss.
UHMW-PE chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| calcium stearate / antioxidantprocessing/stabiliser package; implant grades are additive-free per ASTM F648 | 0 – 0.3 | 0.05 |
| carbon blackUV and ESD/conductive variants only (2 % UV grade, up to ~15 % conductive) | ≈ 2 | 2 |
| mineral oilOil Filled bearing grade only | ≈ 5 | 5 |
| ceramic / mineral fillerCeramic Filled high-wear grade only | ≈ 15 | 15 |
| ethylene (–CH2CH2– repeat unit)linear homopolymer, viscosity-average molecular weight 3.1–10.5 million g/mol per ASTM D4020 / ISO 11542 | balance | — |
UHMW-PE-FR — frequently asked
What is UHMW-PE-FR used for?
UHMW-PE-FR is typically used for chute and hopper liners, conveyor wear strips, conveyor guide rails and curves, food-contact wear parts (FDA grade), truck bed and dump body liners and star wheels and idler sprockets. In short: maximum wear resistance.
What is the yield strength of UHMW-PE-FR?
UHMW-PE-FR has a typical yield strength of 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) and a tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) — weaker than 85% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is UHMW-PE-FR easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 73% of polymer grades). Machines fast with sharp positive-rake tools, high rake/large clearance, high feed and no coolant needed (air blast preferred); expect springback, gummy stringy chips and dimensional relaxation — rough, rest, then finish.
Can UHMW-PE-FR be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Effectively unweldable by conventional fusion because the melt does not flow; joints are made by mechanical fastening (with clearance for expansion), hot-plate/friction sintering, or specialist UHMW welding rod for surface repair; adhesive bonding requires corona/plasma or flame surface treatment.
What surface finishes work on UHMW-PE-FR?
No paint, plating or anodising will adhere without surface activation; leave as-machined or flame/plasma treat for printing and adhesives — surface stays waxy and cannot be polished to gloss.
Can UHMW-PE-FR be formed, bent or molded?
Made as compression-moulded sheet or ram-extruded rod/profile at 180–220 °C rather than injection moulded; flat sheet can be line-bent or press-formed after through-heating to ~140 °C, and skived thin liner is a standard product form.
What is the maximum service temperature of UHMW-PE-FR?
UHMW-PE-FR is rated for continuous use to about 80°C (176 °F), and briefly to 110°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between UHMW-PE-FDA and UHMW-PE XLPE?
FDA is the default condition — default choice: 100 % virgin GUR resin, natural white, compliant with FDA/EU 10/2011 food contact (medical implant grades GUR 1020/1050 in the same family). XLPE: radiation cross-linked (often vitamin-E stabilised) UHMWPE for hip/knee bearing surfaces: far lower wear rate, at the cost of ductility and toughness. Yield strength is 21 MPa in FDA versus 23 MPa in XLPE.
Can FabDigit make parts in UHMW-PE-FR?
Yes — UHMW-PE-FR is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and injection molding with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM D4020 — Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Molding and Extrusion Materials — ASTM International (2018)
- ISO 11542-1/-2 — Plastics: Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (PE-UHMW) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2001)
- ASTM F648 — Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Powder and Fabricated Form for Surgical Implants — ASTM International (2021)
- TIVAR 1000 / TIVAR UV / TIVAR ESd / TIVAR Oil Filled product data — Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials (Quadrant) (2023)
- Polystone M / Polystone M Slide UHMW-PE sheet data — Röchling Industrial (2023)
- GUR UHMW-PE resin product brochure (GUR 1020/1050/4120) — Celanese (2022)
- Engineered Materials Handbook, Vol. 2 — Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS plastics datasheets — PE-UHMW — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.