UHMWPE

UHMWPE fibers properties

The raw material

Called High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, or High Modulus Polyethylene, or High Density Polyethylene, this thermoplastic fiber made up of very long macromolecules, UHMWPE, HMPE or UHMPE is obtained by extrusion-drawing, the levels of drawing that can be made to undergo will allow the polyethylene macromolecules to orient themselves in order to obtain very high levels of crystallinity and in doing so, to obtain excellent mechanical properties such as very high resistance to abrasion, cutting, impact, traction with higher performances than steel, or other high-performance materials that we offer such as para aramids for example. Several companies around the world produce different grades of high modulus polyethylene fibers such as, without being exhaustive: DSM (Dyneema), Honeywell (Spectra), Teijin Frontier (Izanas)…

UHMWPE fibers properties

The main characteristic of UHMWPE fiber is its very high mechanical strength.

Around 30% to 40% better performing than aramids, it also excels in cut and impact resistance, a fibre widely used in anti-cut glove applications for its performance.

It also provides very high levels of resistance to tearing, tensile strength, creep and abrasion. This also makes it a material of choice for ropes, especially as the low density of this material (0.97) ensures buoyancy, which is very useful in maritime environments.

In some applications, notably composites, the fibre contributes to impact resistance. It is commonly used in light armour, bullet-proof waistcoats or shrapnel-proof accessories, bullet-proof or puncture-proof vests or fabrics, or protective netting.

UHMWPE fabrics are fairly stable, with good resistance to a wide range of chemicals such as solvents and cleaning products, and absorb extremely little moisture. UV resistance is also fairly good.

Weaknesses : Although its mechanical performance is impressive when not subjected to extreme temperatures, this fibre is not recommended for use in temperatures above 70-80°C (thermoplastic fibre). Also, in cryogenics, it becomes brittle at -150°C.

To conclude and summarise

UHMWPE fiber or fabric is the ideal technical textile when mechanical and chemical performance is required without any particular thermal stress. This fibre outperforms paraaramids (Kevlar, Twaron,...) and steels (inox...).

Fonctionnalities & applications of UHMPE

UHMWPE is the ideal fiber when durability under high mechanical stress is required, for example : sport or professional fishing, ballistic protection of people (bullet-proof waistcoats, military helmets, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), protection against knife attacks, abrasion and tear resistance of technical clothing, etc.) or vehicles (bullet-proof or splinter-proof armour), ropes (maritime, mountaineering, etc.), slings and other lifting straps, cut protection (gloves, trousers, etc.), etc. ) slings and other lifting straps, cut protection (gloves, trousers for woodwork, butchery, industry, sheet metal work, etc.) surgical implants, composite reinforcement (sports environment, inflatable structures or flexible tanks, piping, tubes, sleaves, etc.), etc.

If we add to this the combinations with other fibres and yarns (PTFE,stainless steel, glass...) within a textile, this further extends the fields of application for UHMWPE.

Individual protection (gloves for industry, cut-proof gloves, butcher's glove, cut resistant cloth...)

Army (balistic protections, anti-aggression waistcoat....)

Sport and leisure (ropes, cordage, sails, climbing, composites...)

Building (vandal-proof, tear-proof canvas...)

Industry (lifting straps, gloves, Personal Protective Equipment PPE...)

Food industry (conveyor belts...)

Transport (tarpaulins, covers, high-pressure tubes or pipes reinforcements, tyres...)

Associate materials :

• PTFE
• Stainless steel
• Other products

Associate application sectors :

• mecanical resistance
• chemical resistance