Re: [T3] Seat Rails

["Mark Seaton" <mark.seaton2@ntlworld.com>]

Don't know much about HDPE and don't know anything about UHMW-PE but what I
do know is that PE in its various forms has enormous potential as the new
super-polymer. Perhaps it already is? I saw an OU program a while ago that
stated that PE would be far stronger than steel, carbon fibre or Kevlar in
elongation if only they could straighten out the polymer- which I don't
think they can yet- its all spirally and springy. I think it could be so
strong because it has the longest polymer chain?. I don't know about the new
forms of PE but I do know that the regular PE is one of the worst plastics
for machining- stringy and melty and orrible ;-) This is not necessarily
true of UHMW-PE- worth having a look. If its anything like its predecessor,
it is probably best for injection moulding- not machining.

Mark

----- Original Message -----
From: "hedge" <hedge@bluegrass.net>
To: <type3@vwtype3.org>
Sent: Friday, May 02, 2003 7:14 PM
Subject: Re: [T3] Seat Rails


> My local plastic shop has some UHMW-PE (Ultra High Molecular Weight
> Polyethylene) plastic that is designed for this application. This stuff
> is really heavy, a lot heavier than HDPE (cutting board material)
>
> Quote:
>
> "UHMW-PE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene).å This is a polymer
> with a molecular weight of 3 and 6 million.å UHMW-PE has outstanding
> abrasion resistance, low coefficient of friction, self-lubricating,
> chemical and stress cracking resistance.å Another key characteristic is
> impact strength, which is 8 times greater than HDPE.å UHMW-PE does not
> break in impact tests using standard notched specimens compared to
> HDPE, which will break.å UHMW-PE must be double notched to break in a
> Izod impact test.å In a ballistics test conducted at -65ìÕF, a 1?Û  slab
> of UHMW-PE stopped a .45 caliber bullet at a distance of only 25 ft!
>
> Applicationså : Conveyor wear strips, Guide rails, Bearings, Paper
> machine suction boxes, Chute linings, Trailer linings, Snowmobile skis,
> sliders, idler wheels, drive sprockets & suspension bushings.
>
>
> Hedge
>
> '69 Fastback
> '75 914 1.8
> '72 Chevy C-10 Deluxe (for sale)
>
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