Material Characteristics Overview

This document provides a comprehensive technical comparison of various polymer materials, primarily polyethylene (PE) variants and other engineering plastics, detailing their physical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and chemical properties according to international standards (ISO, DIN EN ISO, ASTM, IEC, UL).

1. Material Specifications

• Material Types: Includes PE-UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene), PE-HMW (High Molecular Weight Polyethylene), PA (Polyamide) variants, POM (Polyoxymethylene), PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), PP (Polypropylene), PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride).
• Density: Ranges from 0.93 g/cm³ (ISO-MOL® PE-UHMW) to 2.15 g/cm³ (PTFE).
• Molecular Weight: UHMWPE materials exhibit very high molecular weights (>5x10^6 g/mol), contributing to their superior wear resistance.

2. Mechanical Properties

• Elongation at Tensile Stress and Break: Typically around 20-33% for PE-UHMW, higher for PA and PEEK materials.
• Notched Impact Strength (Charpy): PE-UHMW materials show high impact resistance (>30 kJ/m²), with PA and POM also demonstrating good toughness.
• Hardness: Shore D hardness ranges from approximately 61 (PE-UHMW) to 258 (PA 6.6), indicating varying degrees of surface hardness.
• Wear Resistance: PE-UHMW grades exhibit the highest abrasion resistance, especially ISO-LEN® 1000 natural and black variants.
• Compression Strength and Modulus: Values vary widely, with PA and PEEK showing higher strength and stiffness compared to PE variants.

3. Thermal Properties

• Application Temperature: Short-term and long-term use temperatures range from -200°C to +300°C depending on material; PEEK and PTFE have the highest thermal stability.
• Melting Temperature: PE-UHMW materials melt around 130-135°C, PA 6.6 around 258°C, PEEK at 341°C.
• Thermal Conductivity: Generally low, with values around 0.2-0.4 W/(K·m) for PE and higher for PA and POM.
• Thermal Expansion: Coefficients vary by material and temperature range, important for dimensional stability considerations.
• Deflection Temperature: Provided per ISO 75, indicating heat resistance under load.

4. Electrical Properties

• Specific Flow and Surface Resistivity: PE-UHMW materials show very high resistivity (up to 10^12 Ω), with some electrically conductive variants available.
• Dielectric Strength and Constant: Values indicate good insulating properties for most materials, with PEEK and PTFE excelling.
• Creep Resistance: IEC 60112 data shows good long-term electrical stability.

5. Chemical and Environmental Resistance

• Food Conformity: Many PE-UHMW grades comply with EU 10/2011 and FDA standards, suitable for food contact applications.
• UV Resistance: Some materials are UV-stabilized (UV-s), while others are available upon request or not UV resistant.
• Flammability: Classified by UL 94 standards, with most PE grades rated HB (Horizontal Burning), and PEEK/PTFE rated V0 (Vertical Burning), indicating superior flame retardance.

6. Special Characteristics and Recommendations

• ISO-LEN® 1000 natural PE-UHMW: Highest abrasion resistance and excellent sliding properties, suitable for demanding wear applications.
• ISO-LEN® 1000 black variants: Include antistatic and electrically conductive options, combining abrasion resistance with electrical functionality.
• ISO-LEN® HOT PE-UHMW: Designed for higher temperature applications up to +110°C short-term.
• ISO-MOL® PE-UHMW: Offers improved sliding and wear resistance compared to standard ISO-LEN® 1000.
• PA and PEEK grades: Recommended for applications requiring higher mechanical strength, toughness, and elevated temperature resistance.
• PTFE and PVDF: Noted for exceptional chemical resistance and high temperature stability, with PTFE also offering excellent sliding properties.

7. Limitations and Notes

• Data are based on raw material supplier information and may vary in finished products.
• Some properties such as UV resistance and food conformity may be available only upon request or depend on color and formulation.
• Thermal and mechanical properties should be considered in design to accommodate expansion, load, and environmental conditions.

Overall, this overview serves as a detailed reference for selecting polymer materials based on application-specific requirements including mechanical performance, thermal stability, electrical properties, chemical resistance, and regulatory compliance.