Braskem America UTEC® 5541 is an Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) with a molecular weight about 10 times higher than High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) resins. This extremely high molecular weight yields several unique properties to this polymer such as high abrasion resistance, impact strength, and low coefficient of friction that makes it a self-lubricating material.

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Average Molecular Weight: 6,000,000.0 g/mol

Average Particle Size: 160.0 microns

Processing Methods: Compression Molding, Ram Extrusion

Polymer Name: Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)

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Identification & Functionality

Features & Benefits

Materials Features
Product Highlights

Impact Strength

UTEC is the best solution compared to other materials because of its remarkable impact strength.

Coefficient of Friction

UTEC is an excellent material for sliding applications where low coefficient of friction properties are required, working as a self-lubricating material.

Chemical Resistance

UTEC is extremely resistant to a wide variety of substances. The material is almost totally inert; therefore, it can be used in the most corrosive or aggressive environments at moderate temperatures. Even at high temperatures, UTEC is resistant to several solvents, except aromatic, halogenated hydrocarbons and strong oxidizing materials, such as nitric acid.

 

Compatibility tests between a product sample and the chemical environment are strongly recommended to verify satisfactory part performance, at the same conditions, for a period of time equal to the life time expected for each new application. Even substances classified with high attack or absorption characteristics show good practical results.

Abrasion Wear Resistance

Another outstanding UTEC property is the abrasion wear resistance. This makes UTEC suitable for replacing metals in applications that require high abrasion resistance while providing light-weighting benefits.

Processing

It is not possible to process UTEC through conventional extrusion methods or injection or blow molding, because this material does not flow even at temperatures above its melting point. UTEC requires special processing techniques, such as RAM extrusion and compression molding. These processes are generally used to produce semi-finished parts such as rods and sheets. UTEC can be sintered into porous parts (filters) and calendered into porous sheets. It can also be gel processed into fibers or for a variety of battery separator applications.

 

Those semi-finished parts can then be machined into parts for a wide range of applications. It is possible to use the same machining techniques as those used for wood or metal, such as sawing, milling, planing, drilling and turning. Other conversion processesmay also be used.

Molecular Structure

The UTEC molecular structure has direct impact on its physical and thermal properties as well as processing performance. There are some characterization methods which can be used to measure the molecular weight of polymers. In the case of UHMWPE resins, the viscosity of polymer diluted solutions is widely used for that purpose.

Applications & Uses

Markets
Applications
Industries
Applications
Plastics & Elastomers End Uses
Plastics & Elastomers Processing Methods
Recommended Uses & Known Applications

Applications which require high wear resistance - technical parts, fibers, RAM extruded/compression molded rods, sheets, profiles, and pipes.

Properties

Physical Form
Physical Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Average Molecular Weight6.0x10⁶g/molInternal Method
Average Particle Size (Dp50)130μmASTM D 1921
Bulk Density0.45g/cm³ASTM D 1895
Density0.925g/cm³ASTM D 792
Intrinsic Viscosity24dL/gASTM D 4020
Mechanical Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Charpy Impact Strength90kJ/m²ISO 11542-2
Hardness (15 sec)59Shore DISO 868
Tensile Strength at Breakmin. 30MPaISO 527
Tensile Strength at Yield17MPaISO 527
Ultimate Elongationmin. 350% ISO 527
Thermal Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Melting Point133°CASTM D 3418
Electrical Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Surface Resistivitymin. 10¹²ohmASTM D 257
Volume Resistivitymin. 10¹⁴ohm.cmASTM D 257

Regulatory & Compliance

Certifications & Compliance