Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most widely used industrial engineering plastics. Thanks to its chemical resistance, good mechanical properties, and excellent machinability, it is widely used in a variety of applications. The most common types are PE300, PE500, and PE1000, which differ mainly in molecular weight and, consequently, in their performance characteristics.
Basic characteristics of polyethylene
Polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer with low density, high toughness, and very good resistance to chemicals. It is non-absorbent, harmless to health, and highly resistant to moisture, acids, and alkalis. Due to its low coefficient of friction, it is ideal for sliding applications and parts exposed to long-term mechanical stress.
The material is available in several color options (typically black, white, and green) and in standard formats of 2000 x 1000 mm and 3050 x 1220 mm.
The main advantages of polyethylene include:
- high chemical and corrosion resistance
- very good sliding properties
- high impact strength even at low temperatures
- light weight
- easy machinability
PE300 – basic construction polyethylene
PE300 (PE-HD) is a basic type of polyethylene suitable for less demanding applications. It offers a good ratio of price and performance, is easy to machine, and is suitable for parts without extreme mechanical stress.
Typical applications of PE300:
- covering and protective plates
- spacing and defining parts
- simple sliding surfaces
- tanks, liners, and chemically resistant components
PE500 – higher wear resistance
PE500 (HMW-PE) has a higher molecular weight than PE300, which results in better wear resistance and a longer service life. It retains very good sliding properties and is suitable for parts exposed to regular friction.
PE500 is often used for:
- sliding strips and guide elements
- conveyor systems
- lining of chutes and hoppers
- machine parts with higher mechanical stress
PE1000 – maximum service life and toughness
PE1000 (UHMW-PE) is the most durable variant of polyethylene. Thanks to its extremely high molecular weight, it excels in exceptional abrasion resistance, a very low coefficient of friction, and high impact strength.
This material is ideal for:
- highly stressed sliding and guiding parts
- lining of hoppers and chutes
- chain guides and conveyor elements
- applications with long-term mechanical loading
Machinability and production of PE parts
Polyethylenes PE300, PE500, and PE1000 are very suitable for CNC machining. The material is easy to mill and turn, enabling the production of precision parts according to drawing documentation. With the correct setting of cutting conditions, a high-quality surface can be achieved even with more complex shapes.
Thanks to our technological equipment, we can manufacture parts from Polyethylene up to a size of 3100 x 2100 mm, or up to the largest available format. Below you will find several photos of products that we manufacture from this material.
Do you need to manufacture a part from Polyethylene?
If you need to manufacture a custom part from Polyethylene, we will be happy if you contact us with a request and we will be happy to prepare a price offer for you. We keep the material in stock and, in most cases, we are able to react very flexibly and manufacture the part in a short time.