What Are the Advantages of Using UHMW-PE for Automotive Injection Molding

1. Why is UHMW-PE used in the automotive injection molding?

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) is mainly used to manufacture very complex parts. UHMW-PE parts can replace parts produced with steel, aluminum, various metals and other polymers. The higher the molecular weight, the higher the wear resistance, which can even be larger than that of many metal materials (such as carbon steel). UHMW-PE is a kind of plastic used to make parts subject to high stress. Ultra-high molecular weight (up to 9,000,000 Daltons) and long-chain conformation give UHMW-PE make it lighter than metal. It has strong resistance to physical forces and chemicals, and has a self-lubricating and smooth surface to prevent clogging and adhesion.

More and more manufacturers of plastic injection molding automotive parts choose UHMW-PE instead of metals, alloys and other plastics because of its advantages: it is stronger, lighter, and cheaper than others.

2. What are the capabilities of plastic injection molding automotive parts made of UHMW-PE?

Very low friction coefficient: Its static friction coefficient is 0.07, and it has good self-lubricating properties. It is an ideal bearing. UHMW-PE is used as the friction part of the axle sleeve, sliding sleeve and the lining material equipment of the plastic injection molding automotive parts, which can not only improve the wear-resistant life, but also achieve the energy-saving effect. In terms of impact resistance, it ranks first among plastics. Even though there is a strong impact of external force or the fluctuation of internal pressure, it is difficult to break the plastic.

Anti-aging performance of plastic injection molding automotive parts made of UHMW-PE: It has advantages of stable performance, good anti-aging performance, no aging after it is buried on the ground and underground for 50 years. According to ASTM method (load 4.6KG/cm), its heat deformation temperature is 85℃, and the use temperature can reach 90℃. Under special circumstances, it is allowed to be used at higher temperatures without signs of brittle cracking. But its linear expansion coefficient is large and the thermal conductivity is poor, so full attention should be paid to the design of the product.