Milled Plastic Parts from PE-UHMW (PE1000)
Performance, Applications & Machining Guide
PE-UHMW (Polyethylene Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight), also known as PE1000, is a highly versatile thermoplastic used in milled parts where durability, low friction, and chemical resistance are essential. With excellent wear behavior and food-grade approval, it’s a go-to material across industries like automotive, logistics, and food processing.
What Is PE-UHMW (PE1000)?
PE-UHMW is an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene characterized by:
- Extremely high molecular density
- Low density of 0.93 g/cm³
- Outstanding impact resistance (No break in Charpy test)
- Low moisture absorption (practically zero)
- Physiological safety (FDA/EU compliant)
Key Advantages of Milled PE-UHMW Parts
Exceptional Impact & Wear Resistance
- Charpy Notched Impact Strength: >180 kJ/m² – with no break during tests
- Sand-slurry wear value: 16 (DIN EN ISO 15527) → excellent abrasion behavior
- Ideal for impact plates, liners, and guides in high-friction applications.
Low Friction Operation
- Dynamic friction coefficient: 0.2 – 0.25
- Eliminates the need for lubrication in many applications (self-lubricating)
Highly Machinable
- Suitable for milling, planing, and turning with excellent dimensional control
- Softness requires careful clamping to avoid deformation during milling
Temperature & Chemical Resistance
- Service temperature (short term): up to +120 °C
- Melting point: 130 – 135 °C
- Thermal conductivity: 0.4 W/m·K
- Strong resistance to acids, bases, and cleaning agents — ideal for food and chemical environments
Start Your Manufacturing Project with MakerVerse
MakerVerse is a platform for sourcing industrial parts. It provides instant access to a vetted supply chain and a full range of manufacturing technologies. With AI-powered quoting, order management, and fulfilment, MakerVerse helps with everything from initial prototypes to full-scale production.
Food-Safe Certifications
- Complies with:
- EU 10/2011
- FDA 21CFR177.1520
- Regulation 1935/2004
- Perfect for food production lines, packaging machinery, and bottling systems
Machining Tips for PE-UHMW
- Tooling: Use carbide or HSS tools with sharp edges to prevent burrs.
- Speeds & Feeds: Moderate spindle speeds and low feed rates minimize heat and deformation.
- Holding: Use soft jaws, vacuum fixtures, or contour fixtures to avoid clamping damage.
- Post-Processing: Light deburring or trimming required due to material softness.
Why Choose PE-UHMW for Your Milled Parts?
Whether you’re building high-performance components for production lines or need abrasion-resistant wear plates, PE-UHMW delivers a strong mix of strength, reliability, and processability.
At MakerVerse, we offer:
- Expert CNC machining of PE-UHMW and other plastics
- DFM checks and instant quotes
- Verified material traceability and certifications
