UHMW, or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, is a subset of the thermoplastic polyethylene. It features extremely long chains and as a result is a very tough material, with the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic presently made.  Some trade names for UHMW include BRAXX®, FELXIFEND®, GUR®, Lennite®, LubX® C, LUNS®, POLY FEND®, Polystone® M, Ramex®, Tivar® and ULTRA FEND®

UltraPoly W1Ceram-P
MechanicalASTM Test MethodNatural UHMW-PEReinforced Wear Enhanced UHMW-PEUnits
Strength to Weight Ratio-3.12.9ksi
Specific Gravity @73 FD7920.930.96-
Tensile Strength @73 F, (ult)/(yld)D6382,900 (yld)2,800 (yld)psi
Tensile Modulus of Elasticity @73 FD638100,000131,000psi
Tensile Elongation at Break @73 FD638300 (4@yld)300%
Flexural Strength @73 FD790--psi
Flexural Modulus of Elasticity @73 FD79077,000100,000psi
Shear Strength @73 FD7324,000-psi
Comprehensive Strength, (% Deformation) @73 FD695--psi
Comprehensive Modulus of Elasticity @73 FD695--psi
Hardness, Rockwell, Scale as noted @73 FD785(R64)--
Hardness, Durometer, Shore D @73 FD2240D68--
Izod Impact, (Notched) @73 FD256 Type ANo Break50.0ft-lb/in of notch
Coefficient of Friction, (Dry vs Steel) Dynamic-0.12--
Limiting PV, (with 4 to 1 factor of safety applied)---psi-ft/min
ThermalASTM Test MethodNatural UHMW-PEReinforced Wear Enhanced UHMW-PEUnits
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion @73 FE-831 (TMA)1.1 E-041.3 E-04in/in/F
Heat Deflection Temperature @264 psiD648114-F
Tg-Glass transition termperature, (Amorphous)D3418--F
Melting Point, (VS=Vicat Softening Temp.)D3418276-F
Continuous Service Temperature in Air, (Max.)---F
Thermal Conductivity---BTU-in/hr-ft2-F
ElectricASTM Test MethodNatural UHMW-PEReinforced Wear Enhanced UHMW-PEUnits
Dielectric Strength, Short TermD149-2,280Volts/mil
Volume ResistivityD257->1E15ohm-cm
Dielectric Constant @10E6 HzD1502.3 - 2.35--
Dissipation Factor @10E6 HzD150500.000--
Flammability @3.1 mm unless notedUL94---
H2OASTM Test MethodNatural UHMW-PEReinforced Wear Enhanced UHMW-PEUnits
Water Absorption, Immersion, 24 hoursD570(7)NilNil% by weight
Water Absorption, SaturationD570(7)NilNil% by weight