PE 500 - HMW Polyethylene

Polyethylene with a molecular weight of +/- 500.000. PE 500 is more rigid than the high molecular weight polyethylene and it is therefore more suitable for mechanical applications. The friction coefficient is low and machinability is excellent. 


FEATURES 

Chemical: high chemical resistance typical of the polyolefins
Shock resistance, good even at low temperature.  
High abrasion resistance.
Low friction coefficient.
Low specific gravity. 
Easy machinability
Colour: natural


WEAK POINT
 
Compared to the engineering plastics it has lower thermal and mechanical properties: tensile stress, flexural and compressive strength, etc. Compared to high molecular weight PE, it is more rigid and its resistance to continuous shock is therefore lower.


APPLICATION

Mechanical: The low friction coefficient and its non hygroscopicity make it suitable for use as a bearing or mechanical parts with low loads, even when operating in water. 

Food contact: physiologically inert, it is approved for food contact by the most important standards organisations. Thanks to this feature, it is widely used for components in food machinery, pumps for liquid food etc.
 
Electrical: very good dielectric properties, weatherproof.

Chemical: thanks to the high resistance to acids and alkali it is used for components in the chemical industry.  

The graph shows that the higher the molecular weight is, the higher the shock resistance, but that tensile stress decreases.
Green : tensile stress
Grey: shock resistance