What is PE 1000 natural?
PE 1000 natural (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) – wear-part plastic with very low coefficient of friction, permanent self-lubrication and FDA suitability for food contact
Technical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Standard |
|---|---|---|
| General Properties | ||
| Density | 0.93 g/cm³ | ISO 1183 |
| Molecular weight | ~5 · 106 g/mol | – |
| Flammability | normally flammable | – |
| Mechanical Properties | ||
| Tensile strength | ≥ 17 N/mm² | ISO 527; 50 mm/min |
| Elongation at tensile strength | ≥ 8 % | ISO 527; 50 mm/min |
| Tear strength | ≥ 40 N/mm² | ISO 527; 50 mm/min |
| Tear elongation | > 50 % | ISO 527; 50 mm/min |
| Tensile E-modulus | ≥ 700 N/mm² | ISO 527 |
| Ball indentation hardness (30 s) | 38 N/mm² | DIN ISO 2039/1 |
| Shore hardness D (3 s) | 63 | DIN 53505 |
| Shore hardness D (15 s) | 61 | DIN 53505 |
| Impact strength | no break | DIN 53453 |
| Notched impact strength | no break | ISO 179 |
| Notched impact strength (sharp notch, 15°) | ≥ 200 mJ/mm² | ISO 179 |
| Wear (sand-slurry test) | 100 (index) | Internal method |
| Thermal Properties | ||
| Vicat softening temperature | 79 °C | DIN ISO 306/B |
| Crystalline melting range | 130 … 135 °C | DTA |
| Linear expansion coefficient (23 … 80 °C) | 2 ·10-4 / K | DIN 53752 |
| Thermal conductivity (23 °C) | 0.41 W/(m·K) | DIN 52612 |
| Electrical Properties | ||
| Volume resistivity | > 1014 Ω·cm | VDE 0303/3 |
| Surface resistance | > 1011 Ω | VDE 0303/3 |
| Dielectric strength | 45 kV/mm | VDE 0303/2 |
| Arc resistance | L4 | VDE 0303/5 |
PE 1000 natural in detail
1What is PE 1000 natural?+
PE 1000 (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, PE-UHMW for short) belongs to the polyolefin family and is characterised by an exceptionally low coefficient of friction, very high wear resistance and excellent impact strength – even at low temperatures. Liedtke stocks this material in the natural (unpigmented) standard grade.
2What sets PE 1000 apart from standard polyethylene such as PE-HD?+
Due to its very high molecular weight of around 5 · 10⁶ g/mol, PE 1000 differs markedly from standard polyethylenes such as PE-HD, whose molecular weight is several orders of magnitude lower. The exceptionally long molecular chains provide high toughness, very high abrasion resistance and permanent self-lubrication, without the need for additional lubricants.
In the sand-slurry test, a common benchmark for wear resistance, PE 1000 achieves outstanding values, clearly outperforming many other thermoplastics as well as numerous metals.
3What are the advantages and limitations of PE 1000 natural?+
Advantages: very low coefficient of friction and permanent self-lubrication, very high wear and abrasion resistance, high impact strength even at low temperatures, good chemical resistance, low moisture absorption. Limitations: lower stiffness and dimensional stability than PA or POM, lower permissible continuous service temperature than high-performance plastics (up to around 80 °C), more demanding to machine than many other thermoplastics, paintable, printable and bondable only after pretreatment.
4How is PE 1000 natural machined?+
PE 1000 can be milled, turned, drilled and sawn with sharp tools suited to tough plastics; low cutting speeds and good chip removal improve surface finish. Before machining, the semi-finished product should be at room temperature and/or stored for at least 24 hours under normal ambient conditions to relieve internal stresses.
5What applications is PE 1000 natural suited for?+
Thanks to its combination of wear resistance, low coefficient of friction and impact strength, PE 1000 is the classic material for slide and guide rails as well as wear-protection parts in machinery and plant engineering and in conveyor technology. It is also used in mining, agriculture, and water and wastewater engineering wherever components must withstand high abrasive wear.
6Is PE 1000 natural food-safe / FDA compliant?+
Yes. According to the resin manufacturer, PE 1000 natural meets the requirements of FDA regulation 21 CFR § 177.1520 “Olefin polymers” for food contact. Compliance was not tested on the semi-finished product itself, as the requirements generally relate to the finished part – it is the customer's responsibility to assess the suitability of parts made from it for the intended use.
Typical Properties
- Very low coefficient of friction
- Very high wear and abrasion resistance
- High impact strength, even at low temperatures
- Good sliding properties, permanent self-lubrication
- Good chemical resistance
- Low moisture absorption
Typical Industries
- Conveyor technology & automation
- Machinery and plant engineering
- Mining & bulk material handling
- Agriculture
- Water and wastewater engineering
- Packaging industry
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