Thermoplastic comparison
Polyethylene, high-density (HDPE) vs UHMW-PE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene)
Every value below is a typical room-temperature figure with its source, test method and conditions — the same dataset that drives the calculators.
Polyethylene, high-density (HDPE) in fullUHMW-PE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) in full← All materials
| Property | Polyethylene, high-density (HDPE) | UHMW-PE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.95 g/cm³ | 0.94 g/cm³ | Polyethylene, high-density (HDPE) — 1% higher |
| Young's modulus E | 1 GPa | 0.8 GPa | Polyethylene, high-density (HDPE) — 25% higher |
| Tensile strength | 27 MPa | 49 MPa | UHMW-PE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) — 81% higher |
| Glass transition Tg | -120 °C | -120 °C | identical |
| Melting point Tm | 131 °C | 130 °C | Polyethylene, high-density (HDPE) — 1 °C higher |
Where these numbers come from
- Callister & Rethwisch, Materials Science and Engineering, 10th ed.
- MakeItFrom.com materials database — typical grade values
Typical room-temperature values for learning and preliminary design; grades vary widely and a supplier datasheet always overrides a textbook figure. Confirm against the datasheet before design work.