What is the difference between uhmwpe and hdpe

Is hdep the same as uhmw ? how to distinguish uhmwpe and hdpe ? hdpe vs uhmwpe

The following is some understanding to hdpe and uhmwpe from the aspect of production speed, their molecular weight, their suitable applications, especially for the difference between hdpe pipe and uhmwpe pipes.

HDPE is high density polyethylene.

UHMWPE is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.

HDPE has short polymer chains compared to UHMWPE, while UHMWPE has very long polymer chains.

HDPE with raw material molecular weight less than 500,000 g/mol, while UHMWPE with raw materials above 2000,000 g/mol, according to standard QB/T 2668.1-2017 ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene (PE-UHMW) pipes.

HDPE can be shaped and welded using thermoplastic equipment (HDPE straight pipe is thermal welded onto HDPE stub), while, UHMWPE can be fabricated and machined, while not suited to forming specific shapes and welding. (UHMWPE straight pipe get stub from the pipe itself through infrared heating).

Pipe production speed.

HDPE pipe, approximately 8000~10000 kgs/extrusion machine/day. Vary from pipe size and extrusion machine capacity.

UHMWPE pipe, approximately 200~300 kgs/extrusion machine/day, Vary from pipe size and extrusion machine capacity.

Application:

HDPE is suitable for 3D printing, can be shaped into any type of product that may need a sturdy and dense foundation.

HDPE pipe is used as water pipeline, sand dredging pipeline, mineral slurry transport liner.

UHMWPE can be machined into components like wear strips, chain guides, bumpers, bearings, guide rails, construction surface, outrigger pads.

UHMWPE can be made as marine pile sleeve, dock fenders.

UHMWPE pipe can be used at high wear and corrosion resistance applications at mineral slurry transport, sea water dredging, brine saline water transport, chemical pipeline at power plant.