Machined Plastic Parts
About UHMW and HDPE UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight) polyethylene plastic has one of the highest impact strengths of any thermoplastic and has excellent abrasion resistance and tensile strength. UHMW has the highest impact strength of all the polyethylene’s and the material will outwear carbon steel 10 to 1 in some applications. UHMW also has excellent resistance to stress and cracking, and the material has a low coefficient of friction (UHMW is self-lubricating). This last property makes UHMW a preferred material for parts in sliding applications, those involving rough surfaces, or any situation where overcoming friction is important. HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) has a somewhat lower tensile strength than UHMW. It possesses excellent chemical resistance and low moisture absorption. HDPE is used in a variety of applications and industries where impact resistance, high tensile strength, low moisture absorption and chemical and corrosion resistance properties are required. In terms of machining, HDPE finishes a little better than UHMW, although both materials machine well. A wide range of UHMW and HDPE grades are now available to produce parts which support specific applications. For example, AS/UHMW is available as an anti-static grade for producing parts which protect against the build-up of electrical charges. A.L.Plastics | Marion Collection | Acrylic Depot
Custom Plastics Machining
Custom Plastics Machining: What to Look for in a Supplier 1. Technology base It will always be preferable to work with suppliers who have the latest CNC production technology allied to skilled workers. These suppliers will be able to produce parts to close tolerances while keeping part quality and finish consistently high. 2. Materials expertise and selection There are a wide variety of plastic materials available on the market today. The best suppliers know their materials and know the latest materials available on the marketplace. These suppliers will be able to provide superior guidance on material selection, ensuring that the right material is chosen for a given application. Choosing the wrong material, or a material which is not exactly right, can result in misapplication challenges later on. 3. Application expertise Material knowledge is one thing, application knowledge is another. The latter should always precede the latter. Choose a supplier who knows how to undertake a comprehensive application review to determine how a finished part will be used. A good application review will identify all the requirements that the finished part must satisfy, and is critical for ensuring that the right material is chosen. In addition, some suppliers will specialize in serving a narrow range of industry applications, while other suppliers will serve a broader range. It is important to choose a supplier who has experience in serving your particular application – choosing a supplier with limited experience in servicing your specific application may increase the risk of misapplication issues arising post-sale. A.L.Plastics | Marion Collection | Acrylic Depot