ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene

Linear polyethylene can be produced in ultrahigh-molecular-weight versions, with molecular weights of 3,000,000 to 6,000,000 atomic units, as opposed to 500,000 atomic units for HDPE. These polymers can be spun into fibres and then drawn, or stretched, into a highly crystalline state, resulting…

…as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

UHMWPE is made with molecular weights of 3 million to 6 million atomic units, as opposed to 500,000 atomic units for HDPE. These polymers can be spun into fibres and drawn, or stretched, into a highly crystalline state, resulting in high stiffness and a tensile…