UHMW Weight Calculator
Calculate UHMWPE sheet and rod weight — natural, PTFE-filled, black carbon, and glass-filled grades
UHMW Weight Calculator
Calculation Results
Grade Quick Reference
Formula Used
UHMW Grade Specifications
Density values per ASTM D792 / ISO 1183, referenced against ASTM D4020 (UHMWPE material specification). Tensile strength per ASTM D638. Maximum service temperature for continuous use.
| Grade | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength | Max Temp | Abrasion Resistance | FDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UHMW Natural/Virgin | 0.930 | 21–28 MPa | 82°C / 180°F | Excellent | Yes |
| UHMW PTFE-Filled | 0.930 | 17–22 MPa | 82°C / 180°F | Excellent | No |
| UHMW Black — Carbon-Filled | 0.940 | 21–27 MPa | 82°C / 180°F | Excellent | No |
| UHMW Glass-Filled | 0.940 | 28–35 MPa | 90°C / 194°F | Very Good | No |
Standards: ASTM D4020 (UHMWPE material specification). Density per ASTM D792 / ISO 1183. FDA compliance per 21 CFR 177.1520 (Natural grade only). USDA and NSF/ANSI 51 applicable to Natural grade. RoHS compliant across all grades.
Which UHMW Grade Should You Use?
UHMW grades differ primarily in additives that improve specific properties — friction, UV stability, or stiffness. Density differences are small but matter for accurate weight estimation.
UHMW Natural/Virgin
The baseline grade — cream/white color, no additives beyond stabilizers. FDA compliant per 21 CFR 177.1520, making it the standard choice for food processing equipment, cutting surfaces, and medical device components. Lowest density of any UHMW grade.
- Density: 0.930 g/cm³ — lightest UHMW grade
- Best choice for: cutting boards, food processing wear parts, medical components
- FDA, USDA, and NSF/ANSI 51 compliant
UHMW PTFE-Filled
PTFE (Teflon) filler reduces the already-low coefficient of friction of UHMW further, enabling dry running at high speeds without lubrication. The trade-off is slightly reduced tensile strength; density remains essentially the same as Natural grade at 0.930 g/cm³. Not FDA approved.
- Density: 0.930 g/cm³ — same as natural grade
- Best choice for: bearings, bushings, high-speed conveyor guides, dry-running slides
- Not FDA compliant — do not use in food contact
UHMW Black — Carbon-Filled
Carbon black filler provides UV stabilization, allowing outdoor and marine use without degradation. The mechanical properties are essentially the same as natural UHMW. The distinctive black color also helps identify outdoor-grade material in mixed inventory.
- Density: 0.940 g/cm³
- Best choice for: marine dock fenders, outdoor wear pads, dock bumpers, mining liners
- Not FDA compliant due to carbon black additive
UHMW Glass-Filled
Glass fiber reinforcement increases stiffness and tensile strength while raising the service temperature ceiling slightly. Density is 0.940 g/cm³ — a modest increase over natural due to the relatively low glass loading in commercial stock grades. Used when dimensional stability under load is the primary requirement.
- Density: 0.940 g/cm³ — slightly heavier than natural and PTFE-filled grades
- Best choice for: precision wear parts, gears, structural bearings
- Lower impact resistance than unfilled grades — not for shock applications
Standard Stock Sizes
Common stock dimensions for UHMW sheet and rod. Confirm availability with your supplier before ordering.
S Sheet Stock
Standard sheet size: 48" × 96" (4 ft × 8 ft). Available thicknesses:
Metric equivalent (approx): 6 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 19 mm, 25 mm, 32 mm, 38 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm
R Rod Stock
Standard rod length: 8 ft (2438 mm). Available diameters:
Metric equivalent (approx): 12 mm, 19 mm, 25 mm, 32 mm, 38 mm, 50 mm, 63 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm
UHMW Applications
UHMW is the preferred material wherever abrasion resistance, low friction, and toughness must coexist — often replacing steel, nylon, and HDPE in high-wear applications.
Food Processing
- Cutting boards and chopping blocks
- Conveyor wear strips and guides
- Packaging machine wear parts
- Meat processing equipment liners
- Dairy and beverage filling equipment
Industrial & Mining
- Chute liners and truck bed liners
- Hopper and bin liners
- Dragline bucket wear pads
- Conveyor impact beds
- Sprocket and gear components
Marine & Outdoor
- Dock fenders and bumpers
- Pier and piling wear pads
- Boat hull wear strips
- Offshore platform wear components
- Snow plow cutting edges
UHMW vs HDPE: Which Is Right for Your Application?
Both UHMW and HDPE are polyethylene-based, but UHMW's molecular weight is 10–20× higher than standard HDPE, translating into substantially better wear performance at the cost of processability.
| Property | UHMW Natural | HDPE General Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | 0.930 | 0.955 |
| Tensile Strength | 21–28 MPa | 22–31 MPa |
| Abrasion Resistance | Excellent | Good |
| Impact Resistance | Excellent | Very Good |
| Coefficient of Friction | 0.10–0.22 | 0.20–0.35 |
| Max Service Temp | 82°C / 180°F | 120°C / 248°F |
| Machinability | Moderate (gummy) | Good |
| Weldability | Poor | Good |
| Relative Cost | Higher | Lower |
| FDA Compliant | Yes | Yes |
Choose UHMW when:
- Abrasion and wear resistance are the primary drivers
- Self-lubricating sliding surface is needed
- High-impact applications with sliding contact
- Food contact with excellent surface hygiene required
Choose HDPE when:
- Large fabricated structures requiring welding
- Higher service temperature needed (above 82°C)
- Cost is a primary constraint
- Tanks, troughs, or chemically-lined enclosures
Need HDPE weight? Use our HDPE Weight Calculator.
Machining UHMW
UHMW's high molecular weight makes it notoriously "gummy" compared to HDPE or nylon — it tends to deflect and wrap around cutting tools rather than shear cleanly. These guidelines minimize problems.
Best Practices
- Use sharp carbide tooling — dull tools cause smearing and heat buildup
- High surface speeds, light feeds — reduce tool pressure to prevent deflection
- Freeze before machining — cold UHMW cuts more cleanly than room-temperature material
- Air or mist cooling — UHMW has poor thermal conductivity; remove chips frequently
- Climb milling preferred — reduces gummy chip behavior
What to Avoid
- Avoid welding — UHMW cannot be welded reliably due to its very high melt viscosity
- No flood coolant — can cause thermal shock and dimensional changes
- Avoid excessive clamping pressure — material will spring back and alter final dimensions
- Do not use conventional taps — thread milling or self-tapping screws preferred
- Account for creep — sustained loads cause dimensional drift over time
Standards & Certifications
UHMW is governed by a narrow set of standards compared to broader-use engineering plastics. Know which ones apply to your application before specifying.
ASTM D4020
The primary UHMWPE material specification. Covers ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene molding and extrusion materials, classifying grades by molecular weight and intended use.
FDA 21 CFR 177.1520
Olefin polymers approved for food contact. Natural/Virgin UHMW is compliant under this regulation. Required for food processing equipment, cutting surfaces, and packaging contact applications.
NSF/ANSI 51 & USDA
NSF 51 covers food equipment materials; USDA approval applies to materials used in federally inspected meat and poultry facilities. Both apply to Natural/Virgin UHMW from compliant suppliers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the density of UHMW polyethylene?
UHMW density ranges from 0.930 to 0.940 g/cm³ depending on grade. Natural/Virgin UHMW is 0.930 g/cm³, PTFE-Filled UHMW is 0.930 g/cm³, Black Carbon grade is 0.940 g/cm³, and Glass-Filled UHMW is 0.940 g/cm³. All UHMW grades are lighter than water and will float.
How do I calculate UHMW sheet weight?
Use the formula: Weight (g) = Length (mm) × Width (mm) × Thickness (mm) ÷ 1000 × Density (g/cm³). For a 1000 mm × 500 mm × 12 mm Natural UHMW sheet: 1000 × 500 × 12 ÷ 1000 × 0.930 = 5580 g (5.58 kg). The calculator above handles both metric and imperial inputs automatically.
What is the difference between UHMW and HDPE?
UHMW has a molecular weight of 3.5–7.5 million g/mol, versus 200,000–500,000 g/mol for standard HDPE. This produces dramatically better abrasion resistance and impact toughness, and a lower coefficient of friction. The trade-off: UHMW cannot be welded and is harder to machine. HDPE is better for fabricated structures; UHMW is better for wear surfaces and liners.
Is UHMW FDA approved for food contact?
Natural/Virgin UHMW is FDA compliant per 21 CFR 177.1520 and meets USDA and NSF/ANSI 51 requirements. It is widely used in food processing equipment, cutting boards, and conveyor components. Black Carbon and PTFE-Filled grades are generally not FDA compliant — confirm with your supplier for each specific formulation.
What is UHMW PTFE-filled and when should I use it?
PTFE-filled UHMW (typically 15–20% PTFE by weight) combines UHMW's excellent abrasion resistance with PTFE's extremely low friction coefficient. The result is a material that can run completely dry against metal shafts and guide rails without lubrication. Use it for bearings, bushings, and high-speed conveyor guides where lubricant contamination must be avoided — particularly in food processing or clean room environments, though note this grade is not FDA compliant.
How accurate is this UHMW weight calculator?
The calculator uses nominal density values sourced from commercial stock datasheets: 0.930 g/cm³ (Natural and PTFE-Filled), 0.940 g/cm³ (Black Carbon and Glass-Filled). Actual manufactured material may vary ±0.005 g/cm³ depending on supplier and lot. For critical weight budgets, verify density with your supplier's material certification.