Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE or sometimes shortened to UHMW), also known as high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE) or high-performance polyethylene (HPPE), is a subset of the thermoplastic polyethylene. It has extremely long chains, with molecular weight numbering in the millions, usually between 2 and 6 million. The longer chain serves to transfer load more effectively to the polymer backbone by strengthening intermolecular interactions. This results in a very tough material, with the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic presently made.[citation needed] It is highly resistant to corrosive chemicals, with exception of oxidizing acids. It has extremely low moisture absorption, has a very low coefficient of friction, is self-lubricating, and is highly resistant to abrasion (15 times more resistant to abrasion than carbon steel). Its coefficient of friction is significantly lower than that of nylon and acetal, and is comparable to that of Teflon, but UHMWPE has better abrasion resistance than Teflon. It is odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic.

Polymerisation of UHMWPE was commercialised in the 1950s by Ruhrchemie AG, which changed names over the years; today UHMWPE powder materials are produced by Ticona, Braskem, and Mitsui. UHMWPE is available commercially either as consolidated forms, such as sheets or rods, and as fibers. UHMWPE powder may also be directly molded into the final shape of a product. Because of its resistance to wear and impact, UHMWPE continues to find increasing industrial applications, including the automotive and bottling sectors, for example. Since the 1960s, UHMWPE has also been the material of choice for total joint arthroplasty in orthopedic and spine implants.[1]

UHMWPE fibers, commercialised in the late 1970s by the Dutch chemicals company DSM, are widely used in ballistic protection, defense applications, and increasingly in medical devices as well.

 

Yeah what he said!!

 

Not sure but I think this stuff is the same thing we use in the restaurant business for cutting boards if that helps .Gohards work awesome for the frame mod.I did my renegade with this and now ordered one for my sons

 

For terms that most of us can understand,a nd for practical purposes, it is nylon

 

Really bad-&#@ plastic.

LOL

Joe

 

It is a super duper plastic as such (polyethylene).

It is next to indestructible.
It is very rigid but does flex up and down.
It can be drilled and tapped (ease of installing skid plates).
No welding required.
Displaces the fram to keep it from filling with mud and sand (I have seen many now that were full to the rim).
Very light weight.
It has no memory like steel or Alloy.
It is solid so it won't dent.
The front is cut to the same curvature of the inside of the frame, thus getting as much material as possible in the frame to provide protection beyound the front lower A-Arm mount.
It does not react with steel nor corrode.
It is self lubricatiing, no need for grease. It won't mushroom like steel or aluminium if you have a frame that is dented pretty bad and have the beat the living you no what out of it to drive it in there. I use a 12lb sledge hammer to drive some in.

 

One of my favorite movies.

 

If you are looking for examples, most sled sliders or hyfax are made from UHMW. Provides a great balance between durability (wear life) and anti-friction capabilities.

P.S., if anyone hasn't seen The Hangover, it is a fantastic movie!

 

I have it on my media server but haven't watched it. I guess this gives me 3 more reasons to queue it up.

Joe

 

Someone once said somewhere that UHMW was very similar to puck board, the stuff they use on the walls of hockey rinks ????

Does that sound close ??

One of our members here in Canora has made some home made skid plates for his Renny with puck board, looks good and seems indestructible.

 

All I can say is it is a BAD A$$ plastic. I just got mine in a couple of days ago and I cant wait to install it, (waiting for broken ribs and collar to heal), I have seen a couple different frame mods on here and I must tell you, GET KEVINS from GO HARD!!! He will stay in contact with you all the way thru the ordering AND shipping and entertains stupid questions from newbee's like me. Kevin, as a small business owner, I must say, you have a GREAT product and EXCELLENT customer service!!!!!!,,,,,,,,,,,,,now when do I get the money you promised me for saying this?, JUST KIDDING, thanks again for all your help. George

 

I think I'll cover my workbench with this stuff, or maybe part of it, I like the idea that it's indestructable.

Joe

 

if you decide to do the fram mod larry go with go hards its the best on the market.

 

You guys sold me on it, I ordered one this morning.

I did the frame mod on my Outlander the old way with the square steel tubing, and it gave me a lot of peace of mind. Now I need to do it again, this time on my brand new Renegade! That's right; I went through with it and now own a Renegade 500. I hope to get this mod installed before my first real ride.

Please ship it asap Go Hard Racing!