UHMW-PE (UNS UHMW-PE) is a good-to-machine material that we run regularly for export customers. It has a density of 0.93 g/cm3, a tensile strength of 21 MPa and a typical hardness of Shore D 65. Those numbers make it the right choice for wear strips and chain guides, and a poor choice when cost or corrosion resistance matters more than mechanical performance.
On our machines we hold +/-0.01 mm on turned and milled features and reach Ra 0.8 um where the drawing calls for it. Standard lead time for UHMW-PE parts is 3-7 working days, including material procurement, machining and any finishing operation you specify.
UHMW-PE: key properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| UNS / designation | UHMW-PE |
| Density | 0.93 g/cm3 |
| Tensile strength | 21 MPa |
| Hardness | Shore D 65 |
| Machinability | Good |
| Suggested cutting speed (carbide) | 300-600 m/min |
| Relative material cost | 1 of 5 |
Machining UHMW-PE: what to plan for
- Very high thermal expansion
- Flexes under clamping
- Poor dimensional stability
Cutting speed for UHMW-PE with carbide tooling sits around 300-600 m/min. Going faster burns the edge; going much slower causes rubbing and a poor surface. Air blast or flood coolant both work, but chip evacuation must be positive. If your part has thin walls or a lot of stock to remove, say so in the RFQ — we plan roughing, stress relief and finishing as separate operations when the geometry demands it.
Parts we machine in UHMW-PE
- Wear strips
- Chain guides
- Star wheels
- Liner plates
Most UHMW-PE work arrives as 2D drawings with a mix of critical and non-critical features. Loosening tolerance on the non-critical ones is the fastest way to cut cost, and we will tell you which features those are before we quote.
Tolerances, finish and lead time
| Item | Capability |
|---|---|
| General tolerance | +/-0.01 mm |
| Achievable surface finish | Ra 0.8 um |
| Minimum wall thickness | 0.8 mm (aluminium) / 1.0 mm (steel and stainless) |
| Typical lead time | 3-7 working days |
| Prototype quantity | 1 piece |
| Production quantity | 10 to 50,000 pieces |
Frequently asked questions
What is the lead time for UHMW-PE parts?
Standard is 3-7 working days from drawing release, assuming the material is in stock. Exotic grades and cast forms can add 5 to 10 days. Finishing such as anodizing or plating adds 3 to 5 days.
What tolerance can you hold in UHMW-PE?
+/-0.01 mm is routine on turned and milled features. Tighter than that is possible on specific features by grinding or lapping, but it is quoted separately because it changes the process.
Do you keep UHMW-PE in stock?
We hold common sizes of UHMW-PE and buy mill-certified stock for everything else. Material certificates are supplied with the parts on request.
Can you supply UHMW-PE parts with a certificate of conformity?
Yes. We issue a dimensional report, a material certificate and a certificate of conformity as standard for production orders, and full PPAP or AS9102 paperwork when the programme requires it.
Related pages
- Materials — the full index for this section.
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- Instant CNC quote
- Tolerance quick reference
- Frequently asked questions
Get a price for your part
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